Full line-up revealed for Cork’s Joy in the Park

THE full line-up for Joy in the Park at Cork’s Fitzgerald’s Park next month has been revealed.

The free festival, on July 21 from 12pm to 6pm, is returning for a third year for a day of music, art, and entertainment.

Headlining this year are Dublin legends Aslan, with Lee Tomkins on vocals.

The John McCarthy main stage line-up will welcome acclaimed songwriter Paddy Casey and his daughter, Saoirse, Cork’s own ska sensations The Service, indie rockers The Dagenham Yanks, and Cork 96FM’s presenters Lorraine & Ross, Brian McEvoy, and Ken Perrott MCing.

The Joy Sylvie Stage will bring 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.

A spoken-word session will be hosted by Stan Notte, with performances by Julie Goo, Cormac Lally, and Michelle Delea.

Also making a welcome return will be The Cork Headway Choir and the The Mad Hatter’s Tent will present some of the city and county’s most celebrated independent artists.

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.

The festival also welcomes back programme partner Minding Creative Minds (MCM), Ireland’s first free 24/7 wellbeing support programme for everyone working in the Irish creative sector.

MCM will be presenting ‘Broadening Your Horizons As A Creative’, moderated by Cork comedian, actor, and activist Tadgh Hickey, who will be joined in conversation by a number of panelists, including theatre artist Emma O’Grady and multi-disciplinary artist Veronica Dyas.

The Cork Circus Factory will be hosting their Circus Disco and presenting ‘Those Two Idiots’, Galway storytellers Moth and Butterfly, as well as movement classes for children under six years, with Kinderama.

Outdoor games and activities, as well as arts and craft stations, will be available throughout the park with Cork City Council Sports Development and Comhairle na nÓg

A mental-health support hub will also be present in the park with charity partner, Cork Mental Health Foundation, joined by other mental-health organisations and local support groups.

Funding for the festival comes from the 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.