Joseph O'Leary, director of the Ballydehob Jazz Festival, tells us how the wild West Cork shindig - which celebrates its 20th anniversary over the May Bank Holiday weekend - became 'a harbour for creativity'.
There must be something in the water.
They say it takes a village… but to do what, you've got to ask?
The mad thing is my partner Caroine and I headed down here in Ballydehob by no major design, other than an in-built culchie homing beacon… and not long after, in a full turnabout in our careers, in no time we were running my granaunt’s pub and "on the side" a jazz festival in a village of 300 people.
Talk about not knowing where you are going but ending up where you are meant to be..
Now back in the 1920s, it was said that in some parts of Ireland, parents would threaten their kids if they weren’t behaving — rather than off to Timbuctoo, the threat was to be sent to Ballydehob.
Yep, it was so far away you would never make it home from here, and you’d never want that, would you?
We landed here in 2013 with no plan at all, other than we wanted to return to the countryside and the fields and leave the city behind. Happy out — a busy night in Levis Corner House was 10 to 12 people in, chatting about the world and sussing us out, seeing if we were pure useless or only half useless. There’s a big difference, let it be said.
We managed to dodge any major involvement in community festivals for the first 12 months as we found our feet, but then the suggestions started rolling in that it might be nice to help out with the Jazz Fest as it was about to fold. Now, coming from Cork city and having enjoyed the commercial juggernaut that the Cork Jazz Fest was, (and being sternly advised by my mother you have to help out with something), we went along a week later to a meeting in Rosies Bar across the road.
Ballydehob has a tradition of welcoming artists into the fold and giving them the space to develop their artform.
We were surprised to know a good few folk there — surprising, as we only had the 8–12 customers in total at that stage, and they were all there helping with the Ballydehob Jazz Fest. So we signed up as helpers. Little did we know that the few regulars that we had were all just about to jump ship, as they were burnt out from running an international festival in a small village with very little financial support and entirely as unpaid volunteers.
And therein lies the challenge which was taken on:Ballydehob Jazz Festival is not owned or controlled by a big interest drinks company, or a pharmaceutical, or even a social media giant — not even the brothers from Limerick. No, it’s a community-run, volunteer-based, not-for-profit festival that won’t be bought. It’s so important culturally to so many artists around Ireland, but also around the world.
We endeavour to engage our community through the arts and celebrate and care for that same community.
We’re almost at the end of the line here in Ballydehob on the Mizen Peninsula. You’d be in New York quicker from Dublin than here sometimes!
Ballydehob has always been an outsider, but welcoming in terms of being a space where anything can happen. There’s an understanding here that I’ve found in very few places… anything goes, just show that bit of respect. Ballydehob has a tradition of welcoming artists into the fold and giving them the space to develop their artform. Even if it’s not fully understood, the human and the artist are understood. It’s a harbour for creativity.
It’s not just important for the culturally minded, but so important economically to the village and greater area. The festival is estimated to generate €1.2 million for the West Cork area, and the burst of economy helps to clear that winter debt as we emerge from long quiet winters
Cultural tourism is vital. Hospitality, bars, cultural spaces in those same bars and cafes, venues, restaurants, outdoor pursuits… these are all small businesses and are the beating heart of Ireland. We need to keep them alive for the wealth of the nation. That’s what the Ballydehob Jazz Festival does…
Five headline concerts, including two original commissions; two club nights; 50+ music trail shows; two aerial shows; clowning workshops; singing workshops; jazz dance workshops, community art workshops for months beforehand that feed right into the centrepiece of the festival - a New Orleans-style jazz funeral with wings and giant puppets.
It has to be pointed out that Ballydehob Village hosts eight festivals (at this mornings count) each year, with four focused on different types of music - jazz, country and western, traditional, and maritime (or shanty). Alongside those, there’s also a threshing festival, a matchmaking festival, and a summer festival. Some should study the well of community spirit down here. It would cure the world.
All these festivals have played a big role in keeping local businesses going, especially those in the hospitality sector.
Back to now and the Ballydehob Jazz 2026 — the Paul Dunlea Quintet to kick off the fest on Thursday 30th April with his Loch Trasna piece, opening with Lau Noah from Catalunya.Benji Bower to present a premiere of his new suite of music, Trasnaíocht, on Friday the 1st May down in the Community Hall. Headline events include concerts featuring Stephanie Nilles and Tom Deakin and Canibal Dandies, DJ sets from Donal Dineen Hewann Mulugeta, Lindy Hop Classes, and launching local experimental jazz band Fixity’s new album.
You have to engage your community, and we’re definitely trying.
But what is community… is it not a celebration of all communities everywhere, respecting each other’s cultures?
This year welcomes musicians and artists from Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Catalunya, Germany, Louisville, Kentucky, England, Wales, and even Cork - all to that village of 300 In West Cork. That’s not bad.
There’s magic in the hills. It’s a melting pot. Let’s build those ties and friendships.
The Ballydehob Jazz Festival runs from April 30th to May 4th - find out more here
