OCTOBER 2025 Winner – Community Spirit Award for Roberts Cover Vintage Festival

Roberts Cove Vintage Festival is the October Community Award Winner
The Robert’s Cove Vintage Festival has been named as the October recipient of The Cork
International Hotel Community Spirit Award, presented in association with The Carrigdhoun
Newspaper. For nearly twenty years, Robert’s Cove Vintage Festival has been a social
highlight of the Tracton community, with taking care of community at the centre of the
festival’s mission, and since its creation, the festival has supported a number of local and
national charities
The Roberts Cove Vintage Festival was founded in 2008 by two Tracton Parish residents,
Val Dempsey and Michael O’Sullivan, with the original aim of raising funds for the restoration
of the historic Knocknamanagh schoolhouse. What began as a small local initiative has
since grown into one of the largest vintage festivals in County Cork, attracting visitors and
participants from far beyond the local area.
At the heart of the festival is a strong commitment to supporting worthwhile causes. The
event raises vital funds for a wide range of local and national charities. Beneficiaries over the
years have included the local St Vincent de Paul, the Jack and Jill Foundation, RNLI, KYSS,
Down Syndrome Cork, as well as local schools and sports clubs. This focus on giving back
has remained central to the festival’s mission since its inception. To date, the Vintage
Festival Committee has raised almost €500,000.
The Roberts Cove Vintage Festival credits its success to the collective effort of Tracton GAA
Club, Minane Bridge Co-Op and the local Oysterhaven Coast Guard Unit, along with the
cooperation of local landowners, volunteer stewards, sponsors, trade stall holders, exhibitors
and the many supporters who pass through the gates on the day.
Vincent O’Donovan, Publisher of The Carrigdhoun Newspaper, congratulated The Roberts
Cove Vintage Festival on their award saying “The Robert’s Cove Vintage Festival is one of
the most anticipated events of the Summer. This nomination for the Community Spirit Award,
but also its long standing success is a testament to the dedication of the organising
committee, but also to the entire community that continues to rally behind the festival year
after year.
Cllr. Patrick Donovan, who nominated Robert’s Cove Vintage Festival praised the organising
committee saying “The Roberts Cove Vintage Festival is truly unique, and we are so lucky to
have such a festival that the whole community can take part in and be proud of. Long may
their success continue