Dunnes Stores Partners with Cork Opera House
Partnership to support up to 100 arts jobs at iconic city venue
CORK has a new patron of the arts as Dunnes Stores has announced that it is to sponsor the return of traditional musical theatre production at Cork Opera House, helping to support up to 100 jobs and bringing a classic of the genre back onto the theatre’s schedule.
The new partnership places Dunnes Stores at the heart of Cork’s arts sector, while assisting in nurturing young musical talent in the county, through the support of the in-house production of The Sound of Music, which is due to take to the stage in July 2026.
Parents wondering what afterschool activities to sign their children up for this coming school term should certainly be adding musical drama to their diaries, as casting for the production will commence in early 2026.
Eibhlín Gleeson, CEO of Cork Opera House said the vital investment from Dunnes Stores offers Cork Opera House the chance to have their production team work on something special that will benefit the entertainment sector and the wider community.
“We are absolutely delighted that, after more than five years, Cork Opera House is once again in a position to create and stage our own in-house traditional musical theatre productions, thanks to the generous support of Dunnes Stores. Cork Opera House has always been a leader in the production of high quality family entertainment and what better way to bring our two teams together than with a production of one of the world’s most enduring and beloved musicals.”
She said the partnership would help to support the employment of up to 100 jobs during the production.
“This is a powerful partnership by two of Cork’s oldest establishments and it draws strength from the power of community and collaboration, while supporting the arts and developing talent of all ages on the stage of Cork Opera House.”
Kevin Moriarty, Store Manager Textiles Division at the flagship Dunnes Stores on Patrick Street, said the partnership was rooted in the Cork legacy and heritage of both organisations.
“Dunnes Stores Patrick Street is proud to be supporting Cork Opera House. We have been neighbours for over 80 years and, especially with this Cork institution now celebrating 170 years, it’s an ideal opportunity for both organisations who have been part of the DNA of Cork city for generations to partner in this way. Even better when we can play our part to nurture up and coming Cork artistic and musical talent,” Kevin said.
The partnership will also come alive in-store at St Patrick Street, with a number of surprise performances, to delight shoppers, from some of Cork Opera House’s finest talent over the next 12 months, with the first music-while-you-shop performance coming up in September.
And just like The Sound of Music itself, the story of the partnership with Dunnes Stores is a story about ‘some of our favourite things’ – tradition, legacy, family and the power of music.
