Cork City floods but music fans keep jazzing despite rising waters

Despite significant floods due to a high tide, an estimated 100,000 jazz-goers attended, most remaining in good spirits, with some even laughing as they took off shoes and socks to get through the water.

Water was spilling onto streets where jazz hotspots such as the Crane Lane and the Oliver Plunkett hosted hundreds of revellers.

Parts of the South Mall became cut off, with those entering or leaving the Imperial Hotel having to take carefully-calculated steps through the water.

Before the flooding and even after, the majority of those in the city centre were in high spirits and dressed to the nines, even if some of them were wearing rainproof ponchos over dresses and suits while going from bar to bar.

Significant queues were a reality across all venues, regardless of the time or weather.

Just a short walk from a flooded South Mall, Hollie McNamara from Glounthaune was queuing for over 40 minutes to get into Deep South on the Grand Parade.

“It’s just always a great time even though we’re all queuing in the rain,” said Ms McNamara, who now lives in Limerick and returns every year for the festival.

“We all do it every single year.”

Earlier in the day, influxes of crowds were constantly filling St Patrick’s St before dispersing to side streets.

Oliver Plunkett St in particular was vibrantly chaotic.

Among those spilling into the city centre were Cobh native Rachel Flanagan and three friends, all of whom live and study in Waterford.

Ms Flanagan brought her friends down specifically to experience the jazz weekend, with more due to land.

There’s about nine people staying in my house tomorrow,” she said. “It’s all for the craic.

Ms Flanagan’s friends were not sure what to expect from the “iconic weekend”.

“I’ve never been to Cork Jazz,” said Niamh Phelan.

“I’ve only just got off the bus but it’s great so far.”

Paul St, where busker Eve Bradley had set up shop, provided a brief respite from the madness engulfing other areas.

Just a short distance from Emmet Place, where hundreds crowded to see performances at the Super Dome Jazz Stage, Paul St was like another world — somewhere to sit outside and enjoy the calming music from Ms Bradley, who has been busking in Cork city for several years.

“It’s a bit hectic in other places. There’s still lots of people but it’s not mobbed here,” she said.

Those who attended the city centre on Saturday were treated to blue skies and sunshine.

There were significantly larger crowds on Sunday and a mix of ages among the attendees during daytime festivities, with smiling toddlers on shoulders packed closely next to those who have decades of jazzing experience behind them.

Later that evening, floods were visibly worse than on Saturday.

Water began gushing onto Morrison’s Island shortly after 5pm, before floods appeared on the South Mall, moving onto Crane Lane, Oliver Plunkett St, and Winthrop St.

Within 20 minutes, the South Mall was submerged, while its adjoining streets were hit with spot floods as drains overflowed.

Oliver Plunkett St quickly became submerged as water flowed from the South Mall.

People were seen rushing to get their parked cars out of Morrison’s Island, while others resorted to taking shoes and socks off to get through the water.

Those in the Imperial Hotel on the South Mall and in bars in surrounding areas such as Pembroke St and Crane Lane were left with no options but to wait it out indoors or walk through water that was at least up to their ankles.

Hundreds along the limited dry parts of land on the South Mall and Oliver Plunkett St were left dumbfounded at the scenes, unsure what to do, while others were trying each and every way to get out of the city.

For the most part, however, those in the city centre laughed it off and continued to enjoy the festivities.

Zoe Thompson from Rochestown and Rachel O’Donovan from Douglas had returned from London for the weekend, saying they do so every year since emigrating.

They were among the 53,000 to travel through Cork Airport ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

“Everyone comes back home; it’s a great atmosphere. We all come together and it’s just a great week-end,” said Ms Thompson.