Council issues €1.5m tender to manage St Patrick's Day and 'ad hoc' events in Cork City
In an invitation to tender, the council said it could also require services for 'ad hoc' events such as commemorations and visits to Cork from VIPs as part of the contract over the coming years.
This ad hoc work may include 'festival markets' in the city that may be held, while the contractor will also have to liaise with artists and musicians to perform at the events.
However, it stressed that its main requirements and the bulk of the spend will lie with the annual St Patrick's Day parade in March which attracts tens of thousands into the city centre.
At the most recent parade, up to 50,000 people turned out with one of the standouts being the inspirational Kabin Crew kids behind the viral hit of 2024 bringing The Spark to the people of Cork.
It said: '[It] is the central event of the Cork St. Patrick's Festival weekend that attracts up to 60,000 people to the City and between 3,000 to 3,500 participants in the parade.
The Kabin Crew kids leading Cork City's St Patrick's Day parade this year. The council's main requirements and the bulk of the €1.5m spend will lie with the annual parade in March. File photo: Darragh Kane
'Other annual events that the events section may deliver include an event to celebrate the switch on of the Christmas Lights and Cork Christmas Festival.
"This framework may be used by other sections of Cork City Council who deliver events such as the Carnival of Science, VIP visits, commemorations, etc, as well as other ad hoc events of various size and scale.'
In terms of event management the council will be paying for a supplier to manage the different participant groups in the parade, including collating applications from those who want to be in the parade.
It will also need to plan out the parade from start-to-finish, and liaise with services such as the gardaí and fire service while having first-aid and ambulances on standby across the event.
Security services will also need to be provided, such as event stewards and supervisors.
As well as that, it must also erect barriers for crowd control on Copley Street and Anglesea Street the day before the parade, as well as on South Mall and Merchants Quay on the day itself.
The council added that it wanted the supplier to develop 'concepts, identify and source suppliers, negotiate artists fees and advise of feasibility of programme ideas and concepts as they arise in conjunction with Cork City Council'.
While the initial contract is for 2026 only, Cork City Council said it may extend it into 2027, 2028 and 2029 also.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Desire Lines: Portugese brand Salsa brings the wide-leg jean back around
The jeans The latest addition to Portuguese jeanswear brand Salsa's 'Push-In' collection is the wide leg (we told you it was back in a big way). The range is known for its flattering fit which keeps you comfortably held in, and this relaxed wide leg variety is the perfect way to elevate your style as we head into a new season. Available in Medium Wash, Mix Denim and Dark Blue colours. €110. The day out Clíona Harte at the launch of Cork Heritage Open Day in the Butter Museum which is one of 35 buildings which will open its doors to the public on Saturday August 16th as part of Cork Heritage Open Day. Today, to mark the 20th anniversary of Cork Heritage Open Day, over 35 buildings will open their doors to the public for free. Initially launched by Cork City Council for European Capital of Culture in 2005, the festival includes walks, talks, and exhibitions. It's a unique opportunity to explore buildings which are not routinely open to the public or charge a fee, including Quaker Meeting House, Military Museum Collins Barracks, Heineken Ireland, Riverstown House, Cork Baptist Church, and the North Monastery. Guided tours will also take place in English and in Irish in AIB 66 South Mall and in the Lord Mayor's Office and Council Chamber. The programme also includes a wide range of family friendly events and historical city walks. The matcha Perfect Ted's ceremonial-grade matcha Nespresso pods If, like us, you're slowly transitioning from your regular coffee to a matcha, you'll be delighted to hear PerfectTed, Europe's largest matcha brand, has just launched in Ireland. Along with their ceremonial-grade powders, €14.50, and matcha-fuelled energy drinks, €2.50 for 250ml, they bring matcha nespresso pods, €7 for ten, to the market, making it easier than ever to get your green fix. Find them in retailers across Ireland, including Tesco and Dunnes Stores. The summer menu The Ivy on Dublin's Dawson Street is making the most of the warmer-than-usual days with a vibrant new summer menu. Think heirloom tomato and watermelon salad, prawn tagliatelle, and chargrilled halloumi on spiced fregola. And for dessert? We have to recommend the honey and white chocolate cheesecake served with mango sorbet and edible flowers. One course €24.95, two courses €32.95, or three courses €39.95. The doggy shampoo ELEVEN Australia WASH & WOOF DUO (RRP €46), a unique self-care package designed for both humans and their beloved pets Looking for the perfect present for your pooch- obsessed pal? ELEVEN Australia has released a limited edition Wash & Woof duo designed for dogs — and their best human friend. The pack contains the brand's Wash Me All Over hand and body wash for you, and their new Dog & Pet Gentle Cleansing Shampoo for our furry friends. A sulfate-free formula made with amino acid-based surfactants to deeply cleanse dirt and odours without stripping natural oils, the pet shampoo also includes argan oil for shine and nourishment, while panthenol and pear extract boost hydration and provide a soft scent. €46. The tour Strokestown House Strokestown House and Gardens, along with the National Famine Museum, makes for a memorable day out. Connected to the National Famine Way, a 165km trail from Strokestown to Dublin, that retraces the steps of 1,490 men, women, and children who were forced to emigrate during the Great Famine. The National Famine Museum is housed within the stable building, adjacent to the historic Strokestown Park House, which is offering a guided tour of the Victorian Walled Garden on August 21. The six-acre walled gardens include a fragrant rose garden, Ireland's oldest restored glasshouse and one of the country's longest herbaceous borders. The dog-friendly Woodland Cafe is on site too, with a menu featuring local food producers. The book Ivan's Travels Through Dog-Friendly Ireland Irish authors Anthony Walsh and Lucy Costigan's new book, Ivan's Travels Through Dog-Friendly Ireland: Guide to Eateries, Pubs, Accommodation, Shops, Visitor and Nature Attractions, is just what you need to include your furry friend on your home holidays and outings across Ireland. Inspired by Ivan, a border collie rescued from the streets by Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART), 40% of royalties from book purchases go to four Irish dog charities supporting rescue and therapy initiatives: HART Cork, Irish Therapy Dogs, The Dublin Dog Hub, and the Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Follow Ivan's dog-friendly adventures across Ireland at @ivanstravelsie and buy the book online for €25.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
How much would Clonmel businesses have to pay under proposed new improvement plans?
A proposal to set up a Bid company (Business Improvement District) in the town has received mixed reactions since it was unveiled at the July meeting of Tipperary County Council. Under the BID plans, businesses would pay a levy which would be used to fund an independent company, which would aim to improve services beyond what is provided by the local authority, as well as going towards initiatives such as the Christmas lights and the St Patrick's Day parade. Supporters say the scheme, already credited with boosting trade in Drogheda since 2019, could revitalise Clonmel's struggling town centre. Now, a proposal submitted to the council outlines the amount that businesses in the town would be asked to contribute if the BID proposal is successful. How much would local businesses have to pay? Under the proposals, businesses would be asked to pay a levy of 5% of their annual commercial rates to fund the BID company, with large companies being asked to pay a maximum of €10,000. Businesses with an annual rates bill of €1,000 would pay €50 a year, while those with a rates bill of €5,000 would pay €250 a year to fund the BID company. Companies with a rates bill of €10,000 would pay €500, with those paying €20,000 in commercial rates would pay €1,000. At the top end, businesses with an annual rates bill of €50,000 would pay €2,500 to support the BID company, those paying €100,000 in rates would pay €5,000, while those paying €200,000 in commercial rates would pay €10,000. The levy has the potential to bring in a total of €350,000 per year, the proposal says, with that money being reinvested back into the town centre. The 5% BID levy would be set for the five year term of the Clonmel BID company. In addition to the levy on ratepayers, the BID company would also pursue other funding streams such as public grant funding, partnership funding from Tipperary County Council for joint projects, event-based income, and EU funding and philanthropic contributions where available. "An investment businesses decide on' The BID proposal says that if implemented, it would drive increased footfall and vibrancy, revive the town's night-time economy, improve infrastructure in the area, and market Clonmel as a business and tourism destination. Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy said that the BID would help to create a vibrant town. "A BID for Clonmel would mean a dedicated, business-led team focused solely on delivering projects that matter to local traders, from better promotion to cleaner streets, improved lighting, seasonal events, and stronger digital presence. "Far from replacing Council services, a BID supplements and amplifies them — it's an investment that businesses decide on, design, and directly benefit from. It's about creating a Clonmel that attracts customers, retains talent, and makes local enterprise stronger, together,' Deputy Murphy added. However, not everyone was on board with the BID plans, with local councillor Niall Dennehy saying it would be a 'stake through the heart' of the town. "This is a B.I.D to drive a further stake through the heart of an already impotent Municipal and Borough District system – subordinate sub-committees of this plenary council with no powers and no money,' Cllr Dennehy said. "I see it as an admission by the proponents, of the powerlessness of Chamber and of Team Clonmel and town champions,' he added. The BID plans would be put to a plebiscite to all commercial rates payers in the town, which would decide if the plans are implemented or not. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Five for your radar: Love is a Stranger festival, Nobody 2 and more
Festival: Love is a Stranger Ballyvolane House, Cork, Friday-Sunday, August 15-17 Niamh Regan plays Love is a Stranger music festival in Ballyvolane House this weekend. Picture: Molly Keane From the team behind Another Love Story, Ballyvolane House hosts the latest iteration of Love is a Stranger — a mini-boutique festival comprising acclaimed Irish acts and DJs. Caoilian Sherlock, Tessa Rose Jackson, and Fish Go Deep's Shane Johnson get the party started on Friday, before the likes of Niamh Regan, Elaine Howley, and Lullahush take over on Saturday. Expect to befriend plenty of strangers at LIAS. Cinema: Nobody 2 General release, Friday, August 15 Bob Odenkirk reprises his role as lethal-but-lovable Hutch Mansell in this sequel to 2021's Nobody. Connie Nielsen, RZA, and Christopher Lloyd all return too, alongside new faces like Sharon Stone, Colin Hanks, and John Ortiz in director Timo Tjahjanto's English-language debut. The plot: suburban dad Hutch, a former lethal assassin, is pulled back into his violent past after thwarting a home invasion... setting off a chain of events that unravels secrets about his wife Becca's past and his own. Architecture: Cork Heritage Open Day Saturday, August 16 Cork's Geological Heritage A walking tour through the city's ancient past with Thomas Heising. Meeting point 12pm outside Cork City Council on Anglesea Street. Cork Heritage Open Day 2025 Cork Heritage Open Day celebrates 20 years showcasing the city's remarkable architecture and history. More than 35 buildings — many usually closed to the public — will open their doors, alongside guided tours, walks, talks, and exhibitions that bring Cork's story to life. Organised by Cork City Council with the Heritage Council, this free event marks the start of National Heritage Week and remains the country's largest celebration of its kind. Concert: Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory Cork Opera House, Tuesday, August 19 Sharon Van Etten returns to Ireland with her band the Attachment Theory, bringing her powerful voice, magnetic stage presence, and their brilliant self-titled 2025 release to the Opera House. A master of blending raw emotion with soaring melodies, Van Etten has long been a favourite of Irish audiences (they also play Dublin's Collins Barracks on Thursday, August 21). Joined by special guest Angie McMahon, this promises a night of unmissable performances from one of the most compelling artists of her generation. Theatre: The Girl on the Train Everyman Theatre, Tuesday-Saturday, August 19-23 Much-acclaimed psychological thriller, The Girl on the Train, comes to The Everyman stage - starring Laura Whitmore The Girl on the Train pulls into the Everyman in a gripping stage adaptation of Paula Hawkins' global bestseller from 2015. Rachel Watson (Laura Whitmore) escapes her own life by watching a seemingly perfect couple from her daily commute — until the woman vanishes, pulling Rachel into a web of secrets, suspicion, and shocking truths. Following a sold-out UK tour, this psychological thriller promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. — Compiled by Eoghan O'Sullivan
