The Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh is this month hosting an exhibition of new work by 20 Cork printmakers. Funded by the Arts Council and Cork Corporation, Cork Printmakers, involving more than 50 local and visiting artists, uses the studios at Wandesford Quay near the city centre - one of Cork's new cultural quarters.
Activities at the studios include workshops, courses, an artist-in-schools programme and exhibitions of members' work. From now until the end of the month, the exhibition includes Lorraine Barry, Noelle Noonan, Mary Rose O'Neill, Paul Larocque, Barry Jacques, Keith Kennedy and others. And if you are in the Killarney vicinity, take a stroll into the Frank Lewis Gallery where five print artists will be showing their work until the 28th of this month. Sophie Aghajanian, niece of Cardinal Aghajanian - once tipped to become the first Russian Pope - will be exhibiting, as will the Scottish artist William Crozier, Mick Cullen and Jane O'Malley.
Finally, I want to mention a gaisce about to be undertaken by Cork Transport rugby player, John O'Donoghue, who is preparing to cycle around Ireland in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
He will set out from City Hall in Cork on June 9th next. Esat Digifone is giving him a mobile telephone so that he can relay his progress to Cork's 96FM as he makes his saddle-weary way. Naturally, any sponsorship will be more than welcome.