'It's our busiest weekend of the year': Cork businesses geared up for bumper jazz weekend

Grammy-winning jazz artist Gregory Porter headlines at the Cork Opera House for the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Now in its 46th year, Ireland’s biggest jazz celebration will bring electric vibes to the stages and streets of Cork until Monday. Pic Darragh Kane
The annual festival, which got underway on Wednesday and continues until Monday, is expected to bring more than 100,000 visitors to Cork.
It is worth an estimated €45 million to the local economy.
Michael O’Donovan, owner of South Main Street’s Castle Inn and president-elect of the VFI, told
that bars and hospitality business would “take a fair share of that”.
Rain is forecast for a large portion of the weekend.
However, Mr O’Donovan said “every year we’re used to it raining, but the weather has never dampened a jazz weekend before!
“We have stock, staff and entertainment ready to go, so hopefully over the next few days everyone will be out to enjoy themselves and get home safe afterward.”

“The jazz weekend is probably second only to Christmas in of business,” Cantillon said.

“The economic ripple effect of the festival extends far beyond the performances, bringing significant revenue to a wide array of businesses and providing an essential boost for the city.”