Venue: Unitarian Church, Princes Street, Cork Date: Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 July – 11am to 6pm Opening: Tuesday 20 July – 6pm Free Entrance
Artists mastering different art forms including video documentary, sculpture, photography will display their bicycle related artwork for one week in the Unitarian Church.
Venue: Leaving Unitarian Church, Prince's Street Date: Saturday 24th July – 8pm
Free participation
Join us for a leisurely, social cycle to the Blackrock Observatory. After it gets dark we will travel on a mystery tour under the full moon!
Cyclists who take part in the “Full Moon Cycle” release and discharge the festival organisers and associated partners from any and all claims, demands, actions and/or liabilities on account of any injury to them or damaged or stolen items of equipment which may occur from any cause whatsoever, including negligence or other fault on the part of anyone released hereunder, during their participation in or transportation to or from said ride.
Bicycle polo is now a trendy urban sport being played in major cities around the world. It was invented by Irishman Richard J.McCready in 1891. His magazine ‘Irish Cyclist’ was the first to publish the rules of the sport. Due to the popularity among urban cyclists with fixed gear bicycles the sport is now enjoying a revival and is thriving in the Dublin area with five teams regularly competing.
Bicycle polo is not played with a standard bicycle. These bicycles have 26 inch wheels with heavy gauged spokes and fixed wheel gearing. The handlebars are short and the pedals are rubber. Add a chain, tyres and tubes to complete the bike, there are no other accessories, that’s right, no brakes. The mallets are a lot smaller then those used in Horse Polo and the ball is slightly larger. Mallets vary in sizes to suit the player. The Sticks are made from bamboo cane with a wooden head.
The Bicycle Polo Association of Ireland are keen to see the sport spread throughout the country and the Cork Cycling Arts Festival is the perfect opportunity to allow people to see for themselves.
All equipment will be provided on the day. People are free to participate or if curious just sit back and enjoy an exhibition game. They also recommend shin guards!
Are you ready to discover the hidden history of Cork? Our very own Darren McAdam-O'Connell will guide us on a tour of the 4 'cities' of Cork - Shandon, Barrack Street Area, South Main Street and the Medieval core of the City Centre.
Cyclists who take part in the “SPOKE'n Word: Poetry Cycle” release and discharge the festival organisers and associated partners from any and all claims, demands, actions and/or liabilities on account of any injury to them or damaged or stolen items of equipment which may occur from any cause whatsoever, including negligence or other fault on the part of anyone released hereunder, during their participation in or transportation to or from said ride.
Cyclists who take part in the “An Óige” bicycle ride release and discharge the festival organisers and associated partners from any and all claims, demands, actions and/or liabilities on account of any injury to them or damaged or stolen items of equipment which may occur from any cause whatsoever, including negligence or other fault on the part of anyone released hereunder, during their participation in or transportation to or from said ride.
A Load of Bollards!
Street Furniture Cycle
Venue: Leaving from Unitarian Church, Prince's Street, Cork Date: Monday 19th July – 7pm
Free entrance
Discover Cork's hidden details with Tom Spalding author of 'Cork City: A Field Guide to its Street Furniture'.
There are many aspects of our streets which go unnoticed such as Railings, Lamp Posts, Drain Covers, Bollards, Post Boxes, Benches and Man Hole covers. This is a chance to hear some of the history and stories behind them.
This is an aspect of our streets which is constantly changing and everyone has opinions on what's best! Good design can play a large role in the success of modern street furniture.
These days there are many factors to consider - vandalism, accessibility, sustainability and cost. This cycle offers a chance to appreciate the Street Furniture of past and present.
Cyclists who take part in the “Street Furniture” bicycle ride release and discharge the festival organisers and associated partners from any and all claims, demands, actions and/or liabilities on account of any injury to them or damaged or stolen items of equipment which may occur from any cause whatsoever, including negligence or other fault on the part of anyone released hereunder, during their participation in or transportation to or from said ride.
Venue: Unitarian Church, Princes Street Date: Monday 19 July – 9pm
Free entrance
The downhill mountainbiker is a breed apart. Most of the best downhill riders lives revolve around their bikes – their friends, their family, even their jobs. Break the cycle aims to get an insight into the lives of those top Irish mountain bike riders, to show their individuality. Shooting them at the places they ride, train, work and live while showing off the amazing landscapes on this Island. It will look into how these riders have used their bikes to ‘break the cycle’ of everyday life.
Millions of rural Ghanaians suffer from a critical lack of reliable, affordable transport. The rural way of life is in crisis as many people leave their villages in hopes of better options in the capital city of Accra. When sustainable transportation is introduced it becomes a tool of development, enabling people to generate and save money. Education, health care and jobs become accessible without having to leave permanently. The filmmakers tell the story of how bikes from Boston can help people in Ghana.
A Wonderful Afternoon to Rediscover the Joy of Cycling
Venue: Lee Fields Park, Carrigrohane Straight Road, Cork. Date: Sunday 25th July – 1pm to 4pm
Free participation
People are warmly invited to get off their bikes and join the festive picnic event organised on Sunday 25th July.
The picnic will take place at the Lee Fields Park near County Hall beside the Carrigrohane Straight Road and the Lee River. This lovely park can be accessed from the city by one of the rare cycling routes leading out of any town or city in Ireland.
This will be the perfect opportunity for families to enjoy a pleasant summer afternoon in a quiet place in nature, to chill-out and to strike up friendships with other cyclists.
It’s a beauty pageant for bikes! It time to polish the chrome and wax the paint job as you get the opportunity to put your bicycle tyre to tyre to see who owns the most beautiful bike in Cork. Contestants will be given five minutes to describe to the audience what they love about their bicycle. Extra points will be given for over dramatic stories of rambling country adventures, near death crashes and desperate thievery on the streets. The winning bicycle will be crowned Queen of the festival and will be showered with prizes.
Venue: Lee Fields Park Date: Sunday 25th July – 2pm
Free entrance
Test your wits in a fun Treasure Hunt by bike around the area in search of clues revealing the location of the hidden treasure!
Cyclists who take part in the “Bicycle Treasure Hunt” bicycle ride release and discharge the festival organisers and associated partners from any and all claims, demands, actions and/or liabilities on account of any injury to them or damaged or stolen items of equipment which may occur from any cause whatsoever, including negligence or other fault on the part of anyone released hereunder, during their participation in or transportation to or from said ride.
Venue: please email corkcyclingfestival at gmail.com to book a place (limited numbers) Date: Saturday 24th July – 10am
Free participation
Cork Cycling Arts Festival offers you the unique opportunity to taste a selection of the best of Cork's food on Saturday 24th of July. Visit a Community Garden, a Sweet Factory, a Chocolatier and learn how food is made and eaten!
Cyclists who take part in the “Food Cycle” bicycle ride release and discharge the festival organisers and associated partners from any and all claims, demands, actions and/or liabilities on account of any injury to them or damaged or stolen items of equipment which may occur from any cause whatsoever, including negligence or other fault on the part of anyone released hereunder, during their participation in or transportation to or from said ride.
