Experience the best of West Cork’s island life at the summer-long Summer on the Islands Festival 2019!
Spend the summer making vivid memories as you visit eight West Cork islands, meet seven island communities, and immerse yourself in the experience of the Wild Atlantic Way. The Summer on the Islands Festival is a wonderful way to savour the best of island life!
Here are just a few of the Summer on the Islands Festival events to tempt you across the water.
Go on … Get out there!
JUNE
ISA Sailing Courses for Young People HEIR
Dursey Island Festival (June 15th-16th) DURSEY
Samradh Le Cheile – Community Art Exhibition (June 13th-24th) SHERKIN
Bere Island Heritage Bus Tour BERE
West Cork Islands Soccer Tournament (June 22nd) BERE
JULY
Sherkin Island Regatta (July 1st) SHERKIN
Yoga and Kayaking Weekend with Lisa Fahy (July 13th-15th) HEIR
Sherkin Island Vocal Workshop [Experienced](July 15th-22nd) SHERKIN
Sherkin Island Vocal Workshop [Beginners] (July 22nd-27th) SHERKIN
Imogen Hermes – Readings on Whiddy Island [West Cork Literary Festival] (15th July) WHIDDY
Travel Writing Workshop on Whiddy Island [West Cork Literary Festival] (17th-19th July) WHIDDY
Pop-up Choir (July 22nd) HEIR
Bere Island Midsummer Run (July 14th) BERE
Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat with Claire Osborne (July 14th-16th) HEIR
ISA Sailing Courses for Young People HEIR
Heritage Bus Tour (July 20th) BERE
Sherkin Island Vocal Workshop [Novices] (July 23-28th) SHERKIN
ISA Cara na Mara for 7 to 10 year olds [Sailing] HEIR
A Celebration of Renowned Artist Percy Hall (July 28th-29th) HEIR
AUGUST
Heir Island Regatta & Heir Island 5k Run (August 1st) HEIR
Rithigí Linn – Cape Clear 5k Run (August 3rd) CAPE CLEAR
Cape Clear Fun Week (August 3rd-10th) CAPE CLEAR
West Cork Fit-up Theatre Festival Performance HEIR
Bere Island Festival BERE
Mass on Heir Island HEIR
Heritage Week on the Islands (August 17th-25th) Events to be announced: BERE, WHIDDY, SHERKIN
Bantry Bay Adventure Race (August 31st) WHIDDY
SEPTEMBER
Cape Clear Storytelling Festival (August 30th-September 1st) CAPE CLEAR
Find the full Summer on the Islands Festival programme on https://westcorkislands.com/calendar
Heritage on the Islands
Away from the mainland, but connected to the currents of world history, our islands have fascinating stories to tell. Visit the heritage centres on Bere Island and Cape Clear to find out about shipwrecks and military history.
Or join the walking trails on Bere, Sherkin and Whiddy Islands to explore their amazing unspoilt landscapes.
Bere Island’s Heritage Event series and bus tours give fascinating insights throughout the summer.
For details, see https://westcorkislands.com/calendar
Culture & Creativity
The West Cork Fit-Up Theatre Festival is bringing an exciting programme of plays to Sherkin, Bere, Heir, and Whiddy islands this summer. They make magical locations for these popular events! Sherkin – the island of the arts – also has a busy programme of art and photography exhibitions planned. Performance, exhibition, and tour details will be added here as they become available.
Runs & Regattas
Summer sees the islands celebrate sailing skills in a series of colourful and entertaining regattas, runs and adventure races. Check out Active Islands for more details!
SEPTEMBER
Tall Tales
The Cape Clear Storytelling Festival (August 30th to 1st September) is a captivating event for storytellers and story-lovers alike! Over more than 20 years, it has become a must-visit event for anyone with a passion for the spoken word.
Food for Thought
September is also the perfect time for foodies to pay visits to our islands. We hold a series of ‘Taste of West Cork’ events to give you a real flavour of island life: from smoked mussel tastings to farm visits and beach barbecues, there’s something to suit every palate!
Heir Island yoga retreats and Bere Island’s Music and Silence Festival offer time for quiet contemplation and the appreciation of the peace our islands offer.
West Cork’s islands are the jewels of the West Cork coastline. Set in the pristine Atlantic waters that shape Ireland’s south-west peninsulas, their unspoilt landscapes are home to thriving communities with great stories to tell. West Cork’s islanders are waiting to welcome you into a series of events throughout the summer that will celebrate island heritage, and give you the chance to enjoy fabulous local produce, music, and creativity.
There’s something for everyone in our packed Summer on the Islands programme, from island runs and regattas to festivals that celebrate story-telling and Celtic traditions … Throughout the summer, we have a varied and intriguing programme of events on offer. Check out the full programme online at https://westcorkislands.com/calendar
Keep up to date with what’s on
Follow us on Facebook (West Cork Islands) and on Twitter at @westcorkisland. And sign up to our West Cork islands newsletter to stay in the loop about island news and events all year round!
Tel. 086 303 0991 with enquiries, or email us via our contact form!
