Support First Fortnight events happening in Cork and elsewhere across the country in January

First Fortnight is an arts and mental health festival that aims to challenge mental health prejudice through arts. It began in Dublin in 2010 and has grown to include 100 events across 17 counties in January 2018. A list of events taking place in Cork City and County is included below. Check out firstfortnight.ie and @firstfortnight for more details about events that are taking place in Cork and elsewhere across the country.

 

First Fortnight events taking place in Cork City and County January 6 – 12, 2018:

Therapy Sessions Cork  – music, poetry and spoken word events in Ballincollig and Clonakilty

6 January | 8pm, The White Horse, Ballincollig

Karen Underwood, Cork’s undisputed Queen of Soul, Former Fred frontman Joe O’Leary and British hip-hop duo Poetic Pilgrimage.

13 January | 8pm, De Barras, Clonakilty

Electro three-piece Wiggle, singer songwriters Míde Houlihan and Eoin O’Neill, and poet Tony Walsh who many will know for his inspiring poem This is the Place which he performed following last May’s Manchester Arena bomb attack.

Ó Bhéal – special poetry event for First Fortnight

8 January | 9.30pm, The Hayloft, Long Valley Bar, Cork City

Ó Bhéal is Cork city’s weekly poetry event. For one unique night Ó Bhéal have created a special show for First Fortnight, featuring Cormac Lally and Julie Goo, where each poet will explore their own life experiences which impacted on their mental health.

Loving Vincent  – film screening and discussion in association with Cork Film Festival 

11 January | 7.30pm, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork City

Loving Vincent is a fully painted animated feature, starring Douglas Booth and Oscar-nominated Saoirse Ronan, directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman. Loving Vincent explores the life and controversial death of Vincent Van Gogh, told by his paintings and by the characters that inhabit them. The film will be followed by a post-show panel discussion featuring Sandra Hickey, Painting Animator/Artist on Loving Vincent.

The Drummer & The Keeper – film screening

11 January | 7pm, Uillinn – West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen

One of the outstanding Irish films of 2017, The Drummer & The Keeper tells the story of the unlikely friendship formed between two young men; Gabriel, a reckless young drummer with bipolar disorder, who revels in rejecting society’s rules and Christopher, a 17-year-old with Asperger’s Syndrome, who yearns to fit in. Written and directed by Nick Kelly, whose short film Shoe was shortlisted for an Academy Award.

Let’s Meet @ 49 North Street Skibbereen – series of drop-in events

12 January | 10.45am, 49 North Street, Skibbereen

49 North Street is home to a creative wellness and recovery initiative by HSE Cork Mental Health Services. Join a walking group, hear live musical performances, learn about the Stories of Recovery project with award-winning documentary maker Leanne O’Donnell and guests, and view artwork from the West Cork Mental Health Services arts and health programme.

10.45am: Meet at 49 North Street for The Happy Feet Walking group

1.00pm: Refreshments and live music.

2.00pm: Listen with award-winning documentary maker, Leanne O’Donnell and guests, featuring the Stories of Recovery project.

5.30 – 6.30pm: Live musical performances featuring strong local musical talent.

Artwork from West Cork Mental Health Services arts and health programme will be on display throughout.

 

See www.firstfortnight.ie for further information on all events