Fitzgerald’s Park, Cork
Sunday July 21, 2024 – 12noon – 6pm
Just a few weeks away until Joy In The Park returns for its third year in Fitzgerald’s Park on Sunday July 21st, organisers have revealed the full-line up and stage times for what promises to be another magical day of music, art, entertainment, well-being and JOY.
A free event for everyone, Joy In The Park is a celebration of life, whilst supporting mental health & well-being, in partnership with Cork Mental Health Foundation.
Headlining this year are Dublin legends, ASLAN with Lee Tomkins on vocals. The John McCarthy main stage line-up will also welcome acclaimed songwriter, Paddy Casey and his daugher Saoirse Casey, Cork’s own ska sensations, The Service, indie rockers, The Dagenham Yanks with Cork 96FM’s presenters; Lorraine & Ross, Brian McEvoy and Ken Perrott MCing throughout the afternoon.
The Joy Sylvie Stage brings a fresh eclectic vibe to the day with DJ sets by Morty (Sultans of Ping) and Big Up The Beours! with NatMac featuring female and non-binary talent. The spoken word session will be hosted by Stan Notte with performances by Julie Goo, Cormac Lally and Michelle Delea and returning for its third round, Ringo: Music Bingo, the world’s greatest Comedy-Music-Intro-Game-Not-Quiz, will host a round of family movie theme tunes as well as some classic pop songs. Also making a welcome return, The Cork Headway Choir; a service for adults with Acquired Brain Injury, the choir has been a positive part of rehabilitation, improving memory, mood, speech and simply the love of it.
The Mad Hatter’s Tent presents some of the city and county’s most celebrated independent artists with Ger Wolfe, Fiona Kennedy, Myles Gaffney, Polly Barrett, Stuart Wilde, Molly O’Mahony with MC Wasps vs Humans.
Bringing the living room outside, The Couch Sessions will play home to the Rose Garden Traditional Irish Music and 49 North Street contemporary music sessions. Joy In the Park also welcomes back programme partner, Minding Creative Minds (MCM). Ireland’s first 24/7 (also, free and confidential) wellbeing support programme for everyone working in the Irish Creative Sector, MCM presents Broadening Your Horizons As A Creative moderated by Cork comedian; actor; director; writer; musician, and activist, Tadgh Hickey who will be joined in conversation by a number of panelists talking about their own careers including theatre artist, Emma O’ Grady and multidisciplinary artist Veronica Dyas.
This year offers another packed programme of family entertainment and interactive fun with the Cork Circus Factory hosting their Circus Disco and presenting Those Two Idiots; Galway storytellers Moth & Butterfly; movement classes for under six with Kinderama and a whole host of outdoor games and activities with Cork City Council Sports Development and Comhairle na nÓg as well as plenty of opportunities to get involved in the arts and craft stations set up by the various community groups and organisations throughout the park.
Cork Drum & Brass Big Band BoolaBoom take over the park at various intervals during the afternoon, whilst the Eccentric Hatter’s Crew are on walkabout for meet & greets.
For those seeking a quieter space, the Wellness Haven is located near the park’s fountain with meditation sessions provided by Drolma Kelang from Cork Meditation Centre and Laughing Yoga Workshops with Deborah McCann.
Joy In The Park is set to deliver another diverse and engaging programme of music, spoken word, family entertainment, circus, storytelling, arts & crafts, food stalls, wellness activities, workshops and a mental health support hub. The aim is to balance that sense of fun with connection and understanding, whilst raising awareness for mental health and well-being.
The mental health support hub will be at the heart of the festival with charity partner, Cork Mental Health Foundation joined by other mental health organisations and local support groups offering information and advice throughout the afternoon including: HSE Cork & Kerry Community Health Care team, PIETA, GROW, SHINE, Samaritans, MyMind, Cork Counselling Services, JIGSAW, Shine A Light, AWARE, National Learning Network, HUGG, Féileacáin and Mental Health Ireland.
Joy In The Park is a free event for everyone, made possible thanks to the generous support of a number of institutions and organisations. Confirmed funding includes HSE Cork Connecting For Life Programme, HSE Cork & Kerry Community Healthcare, Lottery Funds, Cork City Council: Arts Office, LCDC, PARKS, Ward and Mayor’s nominated funding, Minding Creative Minds, IMRO, SE Systems, Shine A Light and Cork Mental Health Foundation.
