The Festival takes place in Bantry House, one of the most beautifully situated of the Great Irish Houses with its spectacular view of Bantry Bay and the mountains in the distance.During the Festival there seems to be music coming from everywhere.

The language of music is called the Universal Tongue - the mighty Art to court the ear and strike the heart. To celebrate both our tenth Festival in the Universal Tongue and Cork's reign as European Capital of Culture, we bring together music from twenty nations played by musicians from a dozen countries. Our music-making will span over three hundred years from Purcell to world premieres, from popular masterworks like Schubert's evergreen Trout and Brahms' fiery Piano Quintet to rarities like Spohr's delicious Nonet and Babadjanyan's emotionally powerful Piano Trio. Special features include a focus on Schubert and on Mahler; a series of piano quartets bringing together a dazzling array of soloists; an introduction to the great Ukrainian composer, Valentin Silvestrov, from the orange city of Kiev; two world premieres and nine star singers.

Select a county --- All Counties Antrim Armagh Carlow Cavan Clare Cork Derry Donegal Down Dublin Fermanagh Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Tyrone Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow