Roberts Cove Vintage Festival returns on August 3rd

The Roberts Cove Vintage Festival takes place on Sunday, August 3rd 2025, beginning at 12pm.

Firm festival favourites such as helicopter rides, machinery exhibition, amusements and the ever-popular dog show will be here again, as well as fabulous music on the Main Stage with Louise Morrissey, who will be supported by Chrissy Mac, Clodagh Lawlor and Michael Collins. Proceeds from this year’s event Crosshaven RNLI , KYSS, Tracton arts and community centre and the local branch of the St Vincent de Paul. Local schools, playgroup, sports clubs and tidy towns committee will also be supported.

The History of Roberts Cove Vintage Festival

Eighteen years ago two enterprising residents of Tracton Parish, Val Dempsey and Micheal O’Sullivan, decided to hold a vintage festival in Roberts Cove to raise funds for the then restoration of Old Knocknamanagh School House, expecting a turnout of possibly 500 visitors, the figures on the day far exceeded those numbers. Indeed, since the inaugural festival, the numbers have increased incrementally each year to now make it one of the largest vintage festivals in Cork.

The Roberts Cove Vintage Festival is now firmly established within the Vintage scene and its location right on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is unrivalled. The site, kindly provided by Robert and Sheila Good and family, has a 180-degree view of the Atlantic Ocean where you will be able to see from Roches Point to the Old Head of Kinsale and beyond. The festival is certainly one of the most picturesque in the country.

Roberts Cove Vintage Festival Committee: Bridget Towmey (Assistant Secretary); Bob McCarthy; Wesley Taylor (PRO); Diarmuid Reid (Chairperson); Sean Coleman (Safety Officer); Jim Griffin (Vice Chairperson); Paudie Hayes (Assistant Treasurer) & Lynda O'Flaherty (Secretary), with Bernard O'Keeffe (vintage Mitsubishi owner); Macey Reid; Jamie & Aoiibhínn O'Sullivan (in Michael O'Sullivan's tractor) & Kadie Reid with Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat Fundraising Crew: Clíona Coleman, Patrick O'Donovan, Niamg Ní Bhéara & Phil Maguire (Lifeboat Operations Manager Crosshaven), at the Launch of the Roberts Cove Vintage Festival, taking place Sunday 3rd August 2025. Photo Siobhán Russell

The festival committee are delighted to welcome back to Robert’s cove this year Cliona Hagan who played her very first gig in Robert’s Cove many years ago. Since then Cliona has seen her career on the Irish country music scene make her become one of the biggest names out there now. She will be supported by the popular Finbarr Dennehy and family who will take to the stage at 12:45, followed by Cliona Hagan.

Returning to the festival field the participants in both runs will be joined by what is expected to be a large crowd, on hand to view the many attractions. There truly is something for all ages and interests. Events happening in the field on the day include the ever popular dog show, helicopter rides, Oceans of Discovery Roadshow, cooking demonstration, Agrikids, Trialstar bike stunt show, Vintage trashing display, Carrigaline Men’s Shed display, vintage cars and tractors with prize for best in show for those who register on the day.

Alan Barry and Andrew Cast will also be there on the day with their steam traction engines. There will also be woodturning, stone carving, stool making demonstrations, along with plenty of trade and food stalls as well as art and craft stalls including felt making demo, Bric and Brac, locally grown vegetables and home cooked produce, water dunk tank and results of the local schools and playgroup art competition, and of course plenty of activities to keep the kids happy. A raffle will also take place in the day.