Music Generation Cork City

Hard to believe it's nearly a week since we "rocked the block" at Carnegie Courtyard in Cork City Libraries as part of our 2026 Cruinniú na nÓg celebrations.

From start to finish, it was an incredible day - from the on-foot shenanigans of the The Kabin Studio Cork's 'Rap A Mile', which pumped & pomped it's way from Grande Parade to the Coal Quay and back again; to the stellar lineup of acts that graced the stage at Carnegie Courtyard - we can safely say, Rock the Block 2026 was a roaring success!

We had rock, we had pop, we had trad, we had rap, we had brass & wind, we had soul and hip hop, we had spoken word magic! What an awesome collection of young musicians we had braving the stage and showing us how to shine, how to share the gift of music, how to express yourself in confidence, how to spread joy.

Needless to say, we are all still buzzing!

A mahoosive thanks to all our partners and community music providers who made it happen - Cork Arts Cork City Libraries Creative Ireland Creative Tradition Cork Barrack Street Band Cork Academy of Music The Hut Youth Project CDYS Youth Work Ireland The Kabin Studio Cork Foróige Mayfield Cork City Learning Support Services - CCLSS

Here is a selection of photos from Penny Cronin which give a little flavour of the fun from last Saturday. Plenty more to come!

What a brilliant day we had on Saturday for Cruinniú na nÓg 2026!!

A HUGE well done and Thank YOU to everyone involved in making Saturday so special - to the musician-educators, crew, volunteers, performers, families, funders, suppliers and partners! We are so proud to create such magical musical opportunities with you all!

We'll be sharing lots of photos & videos over the next week or two, but for now here are just two pics to get us started:

- the talented young Caden from The Kabin Studio (at the Rap-A-Mile) and
- the wonderful musicians of Barrack Street Junior Band & Mahon Community Concert Band with conductor Michael Mullins (at Rock the Block)

Cruinniú na nÓg is Ireland's annual National Day of Free Creativity for Children & Young People! https://cruinniu.gov.ie/

Rock the Block and Rap-A-Mile 2026 were presented by:

The Kabin Studio Cork
Music Generation Cork City
Musical Neighbourhoods
in partnership with:
Cork City Council
Cork Arts
Creative Ireland
Cork City Libraries

Only 2 days to go until Cruinniú na nÓg 2026!!

Come join us for a vibrant day of FREE youth music making!! Open to all!

11.30am - 12.30pm: RAP-A-MILE - An energetic showcase of the rap & beats talents of The Kabin Studio crew! - Route starts at the Carnegie Courtyard, making our way down Grand Parade to Coal Quay and back.

1 - 6pm: ROCK THE BLOCK - A full day of live youth music performances in the Carnegie Courtyard (Entrance on Tuckey Street) at Cork City Library. Featuring rap, beats, rock, pop, traditional Irish and brass/wind groups - this is an event not to be missed! Drop in and join the fun at any time between 1 and 6pm.

Free tickets & further details available here, but walk-ins are also welcome on the day: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rock-the-block-2026-tickets-1990088994755

Cruinniú na nÓg is Ireland's National Day of Free Creativity for Children & Young People! For the full listing of Cruinniú events nationwide, see https://cruinniu.gov.ie/

Cork City Council
Creative Ireland
Music Generation Cork City
The Kabin Studio Cork
Musical Neighbourhoods
Music Generation Ireland
Cork City Libraries

Sail On Clare Sands live with young people at Féile Fearann Rí 2026 Enjoy this stunning live performance of 'Sail On' by the legendary ...

It's that time of year again folks! is nearly upon us - Saturday 6th June 2026 - save the date!

We are beyond thrilled to be heralding the return of the "Rock the Block" and this year we will be taking up residence in Cork City Libraries Carnegie Courtyard (just off Tuckey Street), in the city centre.

Expect thrills, fills & maybe some frills! We have a wide range of amazing acts to take to the stage throughout the day, with performances kicking off from 1pm.

For full details, visit Eventbrite via the link below and book a FREE ticket.

Before our on-stage shenanigans commence, we will be hitting the streets with our friends from the The Kabin Studio Cork for an iconic 'Rap-A-Mile', which will leave the library at 11.30am and take off, in parade, around the city streets! Always a crowd pleaser, you can be sure they'll light your "Spark"!

As always, we are so grateful to Cork City Library, to Cork Arts and Creative Ireland for bringing this youth-focused festival to life across our city on Saturday 6th June.
Creative Tradition
Cork Academy of Music
Cork Barrack Street Band
CDYS Youth Work Ireland

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rock-the-block-2026-tickets-1990088994755?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=

Some great photos by Darragh Kane over on the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival page from this year's festival!

We were delighted to be part of it again this year. It's always such a gorgeous week with so much variety!

Over the weekend, the talented group behind the brilliant documentary 'Gealtra' travelled to Toronto for its debut international screening at Hot Docs , the biggest documentary film festival in North America!

A documentary about The Kabin Studio Cork , directed by Brendan Canty, Gealtra is "a joyful portrait of the creativity of youth, rooted in Cork’s northside".

A HUGE well done to all involved!

This EchoLive.ie article is a great read! https://www.echolive.ie/nostalgia/arid-41828363.html

Discover more about the history of Cork Barrack Street Band , originally founded in 1837, and about their journey through to the present day!

We are very proud to partner with the Barracka in keeping the tradition of brass and wind music alive in the local community (through the Youth, Junior & Training Bands) and in schools, including Greenmount, Togher Boys & Girls, Scoil Maria Assumpta, St. Maries of the Isle, Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa and Coláiste Eamann Rís, Deerpark.

The bands are always welcoming new members of all ages! If interested, see https://www.corkbarrackstreetband.ie/.

After-school music groups in Mahon (for ages 10 - 18 years) - always welcoming new members!

These are a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn an instrument, try out songwriting, singing and performing, make new friends - all in a fun, creative environment! Low cost and open to all.

See poster for details.
Presented in partnership with:
Cork Academy of Music
Foróige

Supported by:
Cork Education and Training Board
Nagle Community College