2025

Lord Mayor’s Gala Christmas Concert

The Lord Mayor’s Gala Christmas Concert is Back!

The 2025 Lord Mayor’s Gala Christmas Concert, takes place on Saturday, 6th December. Mark your calendars now, this will be one festive night you won’t want to miss!

This year, Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, is pulling out all the stops to turn the concert into a sensational evening of audience participation, as we sing along with the theme: A Very Cork Christmas.

Now a beloved highlight of Cork’s festive season, the Gala brings together choirs, soloists, and musicians from across the city in a magical celebration of music, unity, and joy, all in aid of local charities.

This year’s Lord Mayor’s Gala Christmas Concert promises an evening of world-class talent and festive celebration with MC Elmarie Tallon, well known to Cork’s 96fm listeners.

Audiences can look forward to breathtaking solo performances by soprano Majella Cullagh, the charismatic Lady Fi, acclaimed singer-songwriter Barry Tierney, and Signalman Aaron Kearney of the Irish Defence Forces.

The Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance will enchant with seasonal choreography, while Kevin Goble of Unity Irish Dance will bring his signature blend of humour and rhythm, sure to have the audience clapping along in delight.

Choral collaborations will fill the hall with Christmas warmth and that unique Cork flavour of music, featuring Cór Cois Abhann, directed by Ian Sexton, the Montfort Youth Choir, led by Robbie Pender, and the Cork Garda Male Voice Choir, led by Mathias Levy Valensi. Musical accompaniment throughout the evening will be provided by the Cork Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Brian Prendergast.

Proceeds from the Gala will go to three local charities making a difference in Cork communities: Cork Samaritans, Shine A Light, and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (Cork branch).

The event is proudly presented by the Lord Mayor’s Gala Committee, under the artistic direction of Yvonne Coughlan supported by the RSVP (Red Sandstone Varied Productions) team, with volunteer support from The Wonderlab Make Up Academy and Comhairle na nÓg.

Ticket sales at Pro Musica in person and from the Everyman online via https://everymancork.com/events/lord-mayors-gala-christmas-concert

EVENT NEWS...

“This year’s Gala is our love letter to Cork at Christmas, a magical mix of music, tradition, and community spirit. Each year, it’s an honour to celebrate our incredible beneficiaries through a brief film feature in the programme, offering the audience a glimpse into the inspiring work they do in our community." Yvonne Coughlan

Want a taste of the magic?

Relive the sparkle of past Galas on our [Event Portfolio Page].

Emotional Storytelling

TWO FILMS ONE VISION!

An opportunity to Invest in film that elicits powerful emotions.

Award Winning Film Script

Join us in creating impactful cinematic experiences worldwide with Regret, and already internationally recognised multi-award winning script.

Investors Welcome

Support a project that resonates with audiences universally.

Join Our Journey

Be part of a legacy that inspires change and connection. We are also at the fundraising stage of our experimental concept Forgiveness in Fragments.

Embrace Artistic Vision

Help us bring meaningful stories to life through cinema. Bold Stories, Fearless Filmmaking in our experimental process film Forgiveness in Fragments.

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CLICK HERE for more about this Opportunity.

Visit the beautiful West Cork town of Kinsale. Enjoy lunch and dinner in local restaurants Bed & Breakfast in local accommodation.

*Professional Video and Photographic keepsakes included in package

Film Workshop- Make a film in 4 days

€1400 inclusive per person

The best value for the most unique holiday adventure, or long weekend away in July 2026.

Thursday 2nd 12pm to Monday 6th 12pm

*Special EARLY BIRD rate of €1200 is available until midnight 17th December 2025 Quote EB1200 on your booking.

Go to Workshops page for more information

RSVP FILM WORKSHOP NEWS!

EASY SIGN UP NOW FOR A LUCKY 10 PEOPLE to get 1 free!

Sorrento Shoot with Michael Culpepper
We were on location in Sorrento this week, filming with Michael Culpepper, his colleagues and students for Introduction to Interior Design. The shoot explores the extraordinary design of Gio Ponti’s Hotel Parco dei Principi, capturing its iconic blue and white tile patterns, the reflection of sea and sky, and the dialogue between architecture, art, and education. Filming also took place in the historic cloisters of Sorrento's beautiful cathedral and throughout the hotel, with stunning imagery and interesting interviews that bring Ponti’s modernist vision to life.

Creative Producer yvonne Coughlan.

DOP Maurice Suppple.

Some BTS phone images from Sorrento...

Yvonne's latest short film script is on it's festival journey...

FILM WRITING NEWS!

POST PRODUCTION FILM NEWS!

Production wrapped earlier than scheduled, thanks to a stellar, efficient cast and crew. RSVP, under the direction of Yvonne Coughlan, is thrilled to collaborate with Fourth Reality and DOP Gary Pearson on this groundbreaking 360° VR film for a UCC Social Work training programme, produced by the School of Applied Social Studies. The immersive scenario explores the complexities of domestic violence in a social working framework and marks RSVP’s 2nd venture into virtual reality filmmaking. The team is proud to contribute to this innovative learning tool for future social workers, with phase one completed, and phase two now in the editing stage.

Yvonne Coughlan’s full-length play Hold on Tight is nearing completion, with pre-production in 2026 and a stage premiere planned for 2028.

Blending comedy, drama, and elements of dance theatre, the play traces a life from birth to its final breath, but not in a straight line. Its unorthodox timeline unsettles and challenges, inviting the audience to navigate the story with our players: Jack’s quest for immortality tests his marriage to Jo, and his connection with Maria, introduced by his friend Miguel, unearths bonds, jealousy, and loyalty in unexpected ways.

Through these four intertwined characters, the play explores life's complexities with humour, honesty, and fearless curiosity.

With rare emotional intelligence, Yvonne shapes a theatrical experience that is part soul massage, part celebration of life’s beauty, inviting audiences to engage fully, connect with the experience, and share in the wonder of being alive.

Partner with us to bring this bold, life-affirming story to the stage, support local artists, inspire audiences, and celebrate the wonder of life. Contact us today!

THEATRE NEWS...

Kinsale Halloween Festival

We had an amazing celebration in Kinsale!

The Planning for 2026 had begun!

★★★★★