Aslan to headline Joy in the Park
One of Leeside’s biggest annual events has today revealed a first look at its 2024 line-up.
Back for its third outing in Fitzgerald’s Park on 21 July, Joy In The Park promises another jam-packed programme of music, entertainment, well-being, and, most importantly, joy.
Headlining this year's festival are legendary Dublin band Aslan who welcome Lee Tomkins on vocals. Tompkins replaces the group’s beloved founding member Christy Dignam who passed away in 2023.
Also announced are Cork's own ska sensations, The Service, and Leeside indie rockers, The Dagenham Yanks, along with some of the city's most celebrated independent artists including Ger Wolfe, Fiona Kennedy, Myles Gaffney, Polly Barrett, and Stuart Wylde, with plenty more names are yet to be announced.
Joy In The Park offers an eclectic mix of live performances, spoken word, and family entertainment. Returning this year are the spectacular shows from Cork Circus Factory; spellbinding storytelling from Galway's Moth & Butterfly; Comedy-Music-Intro-Game-Not-Quiz with Ringo: Music Bingo; and meet-and-greets with the Eccentric Hatter's Crew. Additionally, there will be movement classes for the kids with Kinderama and meditation for all ages with Cork Yoga
Centre.
Joy In The Park, was created in memory of organiser Lynda Plover’s close family member Joy, who sadly passed away in 2021.
The event, which has proved hugely successful since its sun-soaked inaugural outing in 2022 when it attracted almost 10k visitors, is presented in partnership with the Cork Mental Health Foundation.
Founded in 1962, the charity advocates for those with mental health difficulties and provides numerous educational projects and presentations to community, voluntary, and statutory groups in the area of mental health promotion.
Aside from music and performances, Joy In The Park also offers a host of activities from arts and crafts to wellness workshops.
The workshops are provided by the HSE Cork & Kerry Community Health Action Zone and a number of organisations and community groups including SHINE, MyMind, GROW, Cork Counselling Services, Jigsaw; and Comhairle na nÓg.
They will be joined by PIETA, Samaritans, Shine A Light, AWARE, The Lantern Project, The National Learning Network; and Mental Health Ireland, who will be at the event as part of the support hub, where attendees can meet in person and be introduced to the many support services out
there.
Funding confirmed for this year’s Joy In The Park includes HSE Cork Connecting For Life Programme, Cork City Council Arts Office, Cork City Council Community Funds, Minding Creative Minds, and Cork Mental Health Foundation.
Joy In The Park will take place on 21 July at Fitzgerald's Park. The event starts at 12pm and runs until 6pm and is free for all to attend.