Cork City will host a series of “Open Streets” events in the city centre this summer when members of the public are encouraged to come to town without their car, either by walking, cycling or using public transport to enjoy some of the city’s streets without traffic and soak up the atmosphere with lively street performance, street play events and public information stands on cycling and public transport.
The first event will take place on Sunday May 19 and the quays and all car parks will be open to traffic as normal, with street closures only applied to St. Patrick Street, North Main Street, Cornmarket Street, Castle Street and Adelaide Street from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Buses and taxis will be able to access St. Patrick Street as normal. Access for blue badge holders will also be facilitated as normal.
There will be lots to see and do with entertainment taking place on Cornmarket Street, North Main Street and St. Patrick’s Street, and will feature performances from big brass and percussion band Boola Boom. Cornmarket Street will become a dance floor from 1pm to 5pm. Live bands and DJs will provide beats and rhythms to as diverse a range of dance genres as Cork has to offer. From salsa to set dance, hip hop to jazz, sean nós to zumba, disco to rave – there will be infectious beats on the streets to get your feet moving. There will also be fun and games on North Main Street with Lets Play Cork organising some games for young and old alike. There will be a mini cycle village on St. Patrick’s Street, with various types of bikes on show including adaptive bikes as well as other cycling activities.