American Friends of West Cork Music

07/07/2025

For those who weren't able to attend last night's Finale of the 30th West Cork Chamber Music Festival or who didn't tune in to RTÉ lyric fm's live broadcast of the concert, the good news is that you can hear it by going to www.rte.ie/radio/lyricfm/lyric-live/2025/0706/1522152-rte-lyric-live-sunday-6-july-2025/

More photos to follow today but here's the moment when Festival Founder and Director Francis Humphrys received a surprise token of appreciation before Doric String Quartet took to the stage.

📸 Karlis Dzjamko Photography



Cork County Council Pure Cork The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Crespo Foundation Fáilte Ireland Wild Atlantic Way

07/06/2025

As the 30th unforgettable West Cork Chamber Music Festival draws to a close, the photos of Karlis Dzjamko capture some of its magic! 🎶✨

06/29/2025

Inside West Cork Music’s €20m plan for a new cultural and performance hub in Bantry, Martin Claffey of the Irish Examiner shares the story of our three West Cork festivals — now worth €4.74m to the local economy — and our plans for a €20m music and education hub! 🎶⭐

To find out how you can support our plans, visit afwcm.org

Three West Cork festivals are now worth €4.74m to the local economy — and a €20m music hub is next

06/17/2025

The 30th West Cork Chamber Music Festival (27 June - 6 July) begins with the world premiere of a new work by Sam Perkin, who regularly attended the festival while he was growing up. 🎶

Sam explains that the work is inspired by the quality and the imagination the festival has consistently demonstrated throughout the years, but also by its intimacy and capacity to surprise:

'There is a recognisable type of magic that is birthed and rebirthed in Bantry each year. It is of inspiring moments, formative experiences, and uniquely random encounters. This magic, in all its mysterious and unknowable nature, is woven into this piece.'

🎫To book tickets for the first performance of the 'Celebration Quartet', visit https://bit.ly/4l9k1kA


📷 Karlis Dzjamko

06/06/2025

The 30th West Cork Chamber Music Festival is just around the corner.
We can't wait to see you there! 🎼🌊

09/22/2023

If you're one of the lucky ones with a ticket in hand, we'll see you tonight! Bantry welcomes Jack O Rourke for Culture Night celebrations 🤩🥳🤩🥳

Jack first came to prominence with his ode to misunderstood youth and growing up gay, ‘Silence’, became a torch song for the Irish Marriage Equality Referendum and won the Nashville Songwriting Competition (judges included Tom Waits and Bill Withers).

09/16/2023

Another highlight in the autumn calendar, the West Cork Feel Good Festival, from the great people at 49 North Street! Happily, they spread their month-long festivities all across West Cork, from Rosscarbery to Castletownbere and points between. Programme details at link below👇

This year's West Cork Feel Good Festival is Just Around The Corner ... And it's literally spreading across West Cork ... From the Beara Peninsula to Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Ballydehob, Bantry, Clonakilty, Leap ... Detailed info at https://www.musicalive.ie/west-cork-feel-good-festival and in the printed brochure.

09/15/2023

So affirming to see The Heritage Council supporting the conservation of Bantry Library! A great investment in the town centre. Bantry is fortunate to have such an iconic building as its home for books!

09/14/2023

In about a month’s time, a wonderful opportunity for those who love West Cork to come out for this event. Whether you are near or far, you can join in - either in-person or online! Hear all about this exciting project right in the ❤️ of the town. 👇👇👇

Exciting times are ahead as the plans for the Bantry Music Centre start to take shape! Be part of the development and have your input into what will be a fantastic creative space and music venue in Bantry. Here are the details:

West Cork Music will host a Community Information Evening on Wed 11 October, 7.30pm - Maritime Hotel, Bantry & Online, as the development of the new performance and education facility begins to take shape.
This will be a chance to meet our architect, Valerie Mulvin, of McCullough Mulvin Architects, get a sense of the direction for the new building, ask queries and share your input! All welcome.
In-person attendance - no registration required.
Online attendance - register by contacting WCM at [email protected].
More about the venue project via West Cork Music and their site at westcorkmusic.ie/venue

09/06/2023

👇👇👇 A great chance to hear what's in store for this new cultural and community amenity in Bantry! All welcome!

Online/remote attendance possible - see note below.

Mark your diary!

West Cork Music will host a Community Information Evening on Wed 11 October, 7.30 pm - Maritime Hotel, Bantry & Online, as the development of the new performance and education facility begins to take shape.

This will be a chance to meet our architect, Valerie Mulvin, of McCullough Mulvin Architects, get a sense of the direction for the new building, ask queries and share your input! All welcome.

In-person attendance - no registration required.
Online attendance - register by contacting us at [email protected].

More about the venue project at westcorkmusic.ie/venue

Bantry Notice Board Bantry Development & Tourism Assoc Visit Bantry I Love Bantry

08/30/2023

One of the best things about September’s arrival every year is ! No doubt wonderful things are ahead for us in Bantry on the Friday 22nd thanks to this incredible team below.
⬇️ 📚 ⬇️ 🎵 ⬇️ 🖌️ ⬇️ 🧶 ⬇️ 📚 ⬇️ 🎵 ⬇️

Putting some plans in motion for events for Culture Night on Friday 22nd September are Marlene Enright (Curious Keys) Denis Murphy (Bantry Library) Clodagh Whelan (West Cork Music) Grace Austin (Pacie Grews - Macrame Designs) Tara Kennedy and Mark Wickham (Work Shop)

Some many fun things in the mix for Culture Night, with many of our favourite spots staying open. Something for all ages!

Culture Night in Cork County is brought to you by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon in partnership with Cork County Council





Bantry Business Association Bantry Development & Tourism Assoc Visit Bantry I Love Bantry Bantry Notice Board