Festival on the fringes no more
By Finnian Cox
Celebrating the weird and wonderful is a right of passage in Cork, so it comes as no surprise that the city’s newest festival does exactly that on a larger scale.
The Cork Fringe won’t take to the stage until 9-11 May 2025, but the organisers have announced the application process for artists is open on 26 November.
In a statement, organisers Daniel Cremin and Ineke Lavers describe the festival as a celebration of “the weird, the wonderful, and the often under-represented in the Cork arts-scene”.
They say the range of different venues that will be utilised will include the more standard venues like pubs and theatres as more as more left of field.
The festival will feature a multi-disciplinary roster of performers, from up-and-coming new acts, to seasoned veterans of their trade.
The directors describe the festival as an important opportunity to provide Cork’s performers with a platform from which they can showcase their unique art.
Run by volunteers and steered by Cremin and Lavers, the purpose of the festival is to contribute to what the duo describe as ‘the Cork arts ecology’.
Though it does place the emphasis on collaboration within Cork’s existing fringe community, the festival also aims to connect with the international fringe network.
Scheduled to take place in May, the shows will take place in a number of venues across Cork, covering a wide range of art forms.
The directors said they place emphasis on the range of acts they welcome to apply, from performances to exhibitions.
“Cork Fringe is looking for Cork artists in fields of comedy, theatre, music, visual art, film and more,” said the directors.
“Working alongside and partnering with leading arts organisations in the city, Cork Fringe will harness the immense artistic talent present in Cork while also encouraging Cork people to help, support and shape new and developing artforms,” they said.
“If you would like to be a part of the fringe volunteer network in May, or if your organisation is interested in getting involved with us, we would love to hear from you.”