The Cork City Hall Series, delivering three unforgettable days and nights of live music as part of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, returns this year from October 23 to 25, with its biggest and most ambitious programme to date.
Now firmly established as one of the standout attractions of festival weekend, the Cork City Hall Series has become an essential part of the Jazz Festival experience, bringing world-class rock, folk and blues performances to the stunning surroundings of Cork City Hall. By broadening the musical offering beyond jazz, the series adds an exciting layer of diversity to the festival and attracts audiences from across Ireland and beyond, further enhancing Cork’s reputation as one of Europe’s great music cities.
The 2026 line-up features an extraordinary mix of legendary performers and audience favourites, including Bob Geldof and The Boomtown Rats, The Stunning, Mundy, Mack Fleetwood and Rory Gallagher: The Legend Lives On.
The weekend opens on Friday, October 23, with a powerhouse double bill from The Stunning and Mundy. Galway legends The Stunning remain one of Ireland’s most beloved live bands, with enduring classics such as “Brewing Up a Storm,” “Half Past Two”, and “Heads Are Gonna Roll.” Their profile soared internationally in 2025 when “Brewing Up a Storm” featured prominently in the hit House of Guinness, introducing the band to a new global audience.
Joining them is Mundy, whose acclaimed career spans more than three decades and includes iconic songs such as “To You I Bestow,” “Gin and Tonic Sky,” “Life’s a Cinch”, and the multi-platinum hit “Galway Girl” with Sharon Shannon.
On Saturday, October 24, Bob Geldof and The Boomtown Rats bring their electrifying live show to Cork City Hall as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations and promises to be one of the standout performances of the entire Guinness Cork Jazz Festival weekend. Their appearance also marks a significant homecoming of sorts, coming 49 years after the band last performed at Cork City Hall.
On Sunday afternoon, October 25, ‘Rory Gallagher: The Legend Lives On’ returns to Cork Jazz Festival to mark 31 years since the passing of Rory Gallagher, celebrating the music and enduring legacy of one of Ireland’s greatest musicians in the iconic venue where much of Irish Tour ’74 was recorded.
Following the success of last year’s event, the 2026 line-up features the return of Cork-based Rory Gallagher tribute band Moonchild, alongside acclaimed blues-rock trio Tres Hombres featuring Brian Tambling, and very special guest Barry Barnes of Sinnerboy, one of Europe’s most dedicated champions of Rory’s music.
The series concludes on Sunday night with the return of Mack Fleetwood, Europe’s premier Fleetwood Mac tribute act.
Tickets for Friday and Sunday are on sale now from €20 with tickets for The Boomtown Rats on sale Friday at 10am at Eventbrite.ie
