Most of the festivals highlighted throughout the country celebrate various aspects of our proud Irish heritage, and as a European and multicultural country we also like to celebrate and acknowledge the traditions of our neighbours. One upcoming event which celebrates the food, drink and customs of another nation is the Paulaner Oktoberfest Beag allowing us to don lederhosen and embrace a true German spirit for a few days.
For the third year in a row Cork city will be the setting for this international festival devoted to celebrating the many customs, culinary treats and traditions of our German neighbours. Running from 13th – 22nd September in the old Beamish and Crawford Brewery, the festival offers visitors to immerse themselves fully into German culture and with tickets to the event starting at €10 with many group package lunch options available, its sure to be a great day out. Throughout the festival there will be funfairs and traditional German music playing, the highlight of which will be the world famous Edelweiss Oompah Band entertaining the crowds with their traditional Bavarian music, toe tapping lyrics and fun games.
The main attraction of the festival is the wonderful German food and drink including a special Oktoberfest brew supplied by proud sponsors Paulaner Beer and imported by the kegload from Germany. Visitors to Cork, whether travelling from somewhere in Ireland or further afield and here on a vacation in Ireland should expect hearty servings of traditional German food, such as Bratwurst and Schweinsbraten (slow cooked pork) with authentic German mustard, Hela curry ketchup, pickles and sauté onions, all of course to be washed down with authentic German beer and brought to your table by German Frauliens dressed in traditional dirndls.
With last year’s event attracting over 7,000 visitors, the demand means this year’s renewal promises to be bigger and better as Cork City anticipates the flocks of international and local visitors taking in a slice of German culture in a temporary home away from home.