The Vibes & Scribes Lee Swim, a Summer Evening on the Quad at UCC, and the Laya City Spectacular were among the big events to attract hoards of people.
![Start of the Vibes and Scribes Lee Swim in Cork Pic Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision]()
Start of the Vibes and Scribes Lee Swim in Cork
Pic Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision
Fitzgerald Park was packed for Ireland’s largest free summer show, which included the Lizardman, contortionists, magicians and some of the world’s top street performers.
The 11th Laya City Spectacular festival will took place over Saturday and Sunday, featuring international street performance, interactive family activations and workshops, as well as an artisan food market with fare from 15 countries around the world.
Kamikaze Fireflies entertaining the crowds at the Laya City Spectacular at Fitzgerald’s Park
The festival included reptile-tattooed superstar and self-proclaimed freak, The Lizardman, who has spent an estimated 700 hours on tattooing and other body modifications; Irish puppet legend Bosco; Bruce Springsteen’s favourite street performer, contortionist Alakazam — the human knot, and the larger-than-life eight foot tall fully-animated Titan the Robot.
Action at the Laya City Spectacular at Fitzgeralds Park. Video by Eddie O’Hare.
Meanwhile, more than 500 people took part in the annual Vibes & Scribes Lee Swim.
![Watching the Laya City Spectacular at Fitggerald's Park. Picture:Des Barry]()
Watching the Laya City Spectacular at Fitzgerald’s Park. Picture:Des Barry
With entries from Australia, Austria, England, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Switzerland and the US, this year’s popular open-water swimming event attracted the highest number of entrants since its relaunch in 2005.
A total of 170 women and 340 men dived into the Lee at 3pm at the Old Distillery on the North Mall to complete the 2km course.
Enable Ireland Cork is the nominated charity for this year’s event. Funds raised by the swim will help the charity which hopes to develop a new multi-million euro facility just outside Cork city.
On Saturday night, UCC hosted the spectacular Summer’s Evening concert on the Quad. Rebecca Storm and Cork’s own Michael McCarthy, backed by the Band of An Garda Síochána, thrilled an audience of around 1,000 people.
![Performing at the Laya City Spectacular at Fitzgerald's Park. Picture:Des Barry]()
Performing at the Laya City Spectacular at Fitzgerald’s Park. Picture:Des Barry
The evening was compered by the inimitable Gerald Kean, with Linda Kenny as programme director.
All monies raised on the night will go directly to the Children’s Leukaemia Association, Cork Association for Autism, Cork Life Centre, Cork Penny Dinners and UCC’s Disability Support Services.
