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seasonal · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Afternoon and evening 
Fermoy Goes Country 2026
At Fermoy GAA Pitch · Fermoy, Co. Cork
At Fermoy GAA Pitch · Fermoy, Co. Cork
Each August, Fermoy GAA turns Michael Fitzgerald Park into one of north Cork’s best outdoor country music days. Fermoy Goes Country is a full afternoon and evening of live Irish country music - dancing on the grass, food and bar on site, and a crowd that travels from well outside the county. Now in its fifth-plus year, it has built a loyal following among country music fans who want a proper outdoor session rather than a concert hall. Families and older couples sit on hay bales or bring folding chairs; anyone who can two-step eventually finds a reason to stand up.
The festival fills the GAA grounds with a multi-act lineup of established Irish country artists. Past headliners have included Derek Ryan, Patrick Feeney, Michael English, Louise Morrissey, Cliona Hagan, Mike Denver and Brendan Shine - the kind of names that fill marquees at Fleadh weekends. Fermoy GAA organises the event as an annual fundraiser, and the set-up reflects that community spirit: the production is solid but the atmosphere is relaxed. There is onsite bar service, food stalls, and room to move around. Bring a folding chair or a blanket if you want to sit - hay bales are laid around the pitch but space goes fast. The 2026 lineup had not been confirmed at time of writing; check the festival’s Facebook page or the Avondhu Press for the latest acts and any updated ticket details before you travel.
Fermoy sits on the M8, roughly 45 km north of Cork city - about 30 minutes by car. Coming from Limerick or Tipperary, the M8 runs south through the town. The GAA grounds at Michael Fitzgerald Park are signposted in the town and well known locally. Street parking is available in the town centre and along the riverside, though it fills up on event days; allow extra time or arrive early. Bus Éireann operates services between Cork city and Fermoy, with connections from Clonmel as well. Check the Bus Éireann website for Sunday timetables as services are less frequent at weekends.
The town itself sits on the River Blackwater, one of Ireland’s great salmon rivers, and the weir just below the town bridge is worth a look before or after the music. The main street has a handful of good pubs and cafes for a meal beforehand. There is more to see in Fermoy and across Co. Cork.
Heading to Fermoy GAA Pitch in Fermoy? Cork has plenty more to see. Read the Fermoy area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.