Pod fest goes live at East Cork’s ‘special little place’
It seems there is nothing Ballycotton can’t do these days as it launches its brand-new podcast festival featuring some of Ireland’s biggest names in the game.
The inaugural Talk the Talk festival kicks off today, Thursday, with Ballycotton venues Sea Church and The Blackbird sharing the spoils.
Running through to Sunday, the festival’s lineup will see well-known artist and author Blindboy Boatclub bring his popular podcast to Sea Church. Iconic Irish comedian, writer, and actor Dave McSavage will also be at Sea Church with his podcast, That’s Why We’re not Together.
Other highlights include The Property Pod - how to start your Property Journey with mortgage advisor Margaret Barrett, solicitor David Sweeney, and auctioneer Áine McLoughlin.
Speaking in the buildup to the festival, organiser and General Manager of Sea Church, John Kidney, said the festival will be a great event, not just for Ballycotton, but for all of East Cork.
“When I joined about three years ago at this stage, part of the brief was to bring things to Ballycotton,” he told the Cork Independent.
“We started out with a comedy festival three years ago in September/October, then we brought in the F.A.T. Fest (Folk and Alternative Trad). I was always looking for some idea for the off-season, so this pod fest came into mind.
“It's a medium that's been around for a long time but it's gaining traction and getting more and more popular. It's very easy for a venue to put together – it's like comedy; you have one person or two people who come in and plug in and off they go,” added Mr Kidney.
Sea Church is the former St Colman’s Church of Ireland, built in 1835 for £330. In 2018, the disused building was purchased by Ballycotton-born businessman Pearse Flynn who began a multi-million-euro restoration project.
Mr Kidney continued: “It's a special little space. We are a venue within an old church, so we don't have your big, beautiful dressing rooms and all that kind of stuff, but what acts love coming back for is the area and the hospitality we put on, not just as the venue of Sea Church, but as an area of Ballycotton.
“It's gorgeous down there, it’s beautiful. When people think of Cork, they think of West Cork. They come down to Cork city, they turn right and off they go. Our goal is to sell East Cork for what it is, and it's just as beautiful.”
Meanwhile, The Blackbird will play host to The Murphy’s Pubcast with Tony Kiernan and Fred Cooke. The festival will also see a free workshop by renowned podcast company ACast and lots more entertainment at both venues.
For more information, visit seachurch.ie.