Cork must show concert goers a good time

With an especially exciting summer season (and then some) of concerts happening in Cork this year, hopes are high for a very welcome economic boost on Leeside.

Bruce ‘The Boss’ Springsteen gets things rolling at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 16 May, the beginning of what is a noticeable concentration of A-lister acts which has got Cork feeling pretty good about the months, and years, ahead.

After Springsteen there’s Van Morrison, Damien Dempsey, Bryan Adams, and Christy Moore all playing Live at the Marquee in the space of 15 days, plus many more great acts.

Elsewhere, Virgin Media Park welcomes Sting, Take That, The Wolfe Tones, and the recently announced Shania Twain.

Speaking to the Cork Independent yesterday, Cork city chairman of Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, Michael O’Donovan, said it’s a huge tourist season for Cork city and it’s crucial that visitors are shown a good time to ensure we continue to attract such big names.

“To make sure people come back again, we need to look after them when they’re here, give them a good experience, give them value for money,” said Mr O’Donovan.

He added: “Hopefully they will spread the word that Cork is a good, welcoming city and welcome more people that will come at a time outside of a concert and spend their hard-earned money here in Cork and give the local economy a big boost.”

And it’s not just concerts that are expected to draw visitors to Leeside in the coming months, with some exciting sporting fixtures on the cards as well.

Mr O’Donovan continued: “I mean we have the Cork v Limerick and Cork v Clare Munster hurling games to look forward too; hopefully the footballers might be able to bring a match to Cork.

“All these are just added bonuses to business, but it's also really needed by business because this influx of people coming in give a real buoyancy to shoulder seasons and going into the tourist season,” he said.