Your May Cork Circus Guide by Circus Factory Cork is here!
Our adult and youth classes have already started. You’re welcome to sign up as for single-session drop-ins for the classes that aren’t full yet.
We are jam packed with workshops for both adults and youths. Develop your circus skills with Tara Brandel’s Aerial & Circus Masterclass Series. Try out our Flying Pole & WhirlPole Taster Workshop taught by Bianca. Get playful in Kathrin Wagner’s Hula Hoop Juggling.
We’re bringing Youth Workshops to Bantry! Let the kids loose in our Circus Explored Taster Workshops in Per.form Dance Studio Bantry throughout May.
What you’ll find in this guide:
(Tip: Click on the section you want to see)
Circus in Cork in May
Adult Workshops
Aerial & Circus Masterclass Series
May 3rd & May 10th | 11AM – 4PM both days
A series of 2 masterclasses with Director, choreographer, integrated dance practitioner and aerial dancer Tara Brandel. A 2 part series over 2 consecutive Sundays, which builds a full set of skills in generating/devising material, choreography and directing, all the way from early research to finished production.
Flying Pole & WhirlPole Taster Workshop
May 10th | 5PM – 7PM
Introduction to Flying pole and WhirlPole for beginners: flying pole is a discipline merging pole dance moves with the dynamism of aerial dance. The workshop will present different grip and climb styles, upright and inversion moves, and how to start a spin from the ground. The WhirlPole is a flying pole with a floor base, that allows for angled rotation, and more floor-to-apparatus interaction possibilities.
Playful Hula Hoop Juggling Workshop
May 17th | 1.30PM – 5PM
In this fun and dynamic hula hoop workshop, Kathrin guides you through the basics and tricks with 3-hoop juggling while exploring playful concepts for movement, rhythm, and composition. Together, we’ll experiment with different types of throws and discover how to weave them into whatever you already love doing with your hoops.
For Youth
Circus Explored in Bantry
May 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th | 4.30PM – 5.45PM
As part of our belief that circus is for everyone, Circus Factory is inviting young circus enthusiasts to join us to learn some new tricks. We are running a four circus workshops for ages 7- 13yrs that will teach some circus tricks with flair.
For Families
Cork Harbour Festival – More Information Coming Soon!
Circus Events in Cork
Circus Gerbola
Middleton | May 6th – 10th
Macroom | May 11th – 13th
Clonakilty | May 15th – 17th
Skibbereen | May 18th – 20th
Fermoy | May 25th – 27th
Mallow | May 29th – June 1st
Circus Around Ireland
Devour The Night
Mullingar, Lough Sheever
Sat May 16th | 9PM – 11PM
Ages: 18+
Tickets: €24.57
Tom Duffy’s Circus
Letterkenny, Kiltoy Roundabout | May 1st – 4th
Belfast, Lets Go Hydro | May 6th -17th
Antrim, The Junction | May 20th – 25th
Daredevil Circus
Mullingar, Lough Sheever | May 9th 1.30PM
Kildare Town May Family Funfair
Nurney, Kildare | May 8th – 10th
Tickets €11.34
Circus Coming in June
Intro to Group & Partner Acrobatics
June 28th | 11AM – 12.30PM
Circus Coming in July
Creative Development & Clown Workshop
July 3rd – 5th | 10AM – 5PM
MAMM Partnering Workshop
July 10th – 6.30PM – 9.30PM
July 11th -9AM – 3PM
July 12th – 9AM – 3PM
April Circus Highlights
Cover Image Credits
Taken at: Extraordinary Bodies Project in Partnership with An Crann
Circus in Cork May, 2025
Poi Workshop for Beginners
These beginner Poi workshops will look at the fundamentals of Poi on Saturday, followed by a Poi open arm technique called Flowers. Each of these workshops are standalone in nature, you can book any one of them without prerequisite knowledge. However, if you are a complete beginner, never having spun poi before, the beginner level 1 & 2 are all that would be recommended.
Poi Workshop for Intermediates
These intermediate Poi workshops will look at crossing and transitions on May 17th followed by Isolations and Breaking the Circle on May 18th. Each of these workshops is standalone, you can book any one of them without prerequisite knowledge.
Aerial Choreography for Hoop and Silks
Looking to develop some stunning aerial choreography? You’re in luck! Kate Finegan is bringing her talent and expertise to host not one, but two workshops in aerial choreo; one for hoop and one for silks!
Cork’s 96FM Radiothon
Circus Factory is delighted to give back this month with Cork’s 96fm. From May 22nd – 24th, we’ll be offering circus workshops free of charge on site with Cork’s 96fm. All we ask is you bring some change to donate to a great cause
European Maritime Days to Play
Catch us around Kennedy Quay on May 23rd & May 24th, providing circus entertainment for the whole family. From the ground to the sky, catch the thrill of Circus Factory at European Maritime Day! Towering stilt walkers sail through the crowd while skilled performers anchor the fun on land. A sea breeze of spectacle awaits
Knot Tying Workshop with Cork Harbour Festival
We’re inviting kids and adults to learn to tie basic knots used in boating and in circus.
You don’t need to know anything about knots to come to this workshop. If you can tie your shoelaces, you can tie a knot at this workshop! If you can’t tie your shoelaces, don’t worry, we can teach that one too.
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