Cork introduces busking permit and curbs including 10pm curfew
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All busking in Cork City must stop at 10pm under the terms of new street performing bylaws formally adopted on Monday night.
Busking permits will be required but fees for performers aged under 25 have been waived in a move described as a “Cork twist” introduced as an amendment to foster the thriving youth music scene in the city.
The new bylaws were approved by city councillors at the April meeting of Cork City Council. From late next month, buskers in the city centre will have pay for street performing permits, confine their performances to designated zones at specific times, observe strict noise limits, and cease busking in some zones at 8pm, with busking in the city prohibited beyond 10pm.
Two-hour busking slots will be created in more than 20 busking zones across the city centre, each of which will be marked with a small four- by six-inch floor sign, with a two-hour gap required between the next slot to give traders and their staff in the adjoining areas a break from back-to-back performances.
The annual permit will cost €30, or €60 if amplification is used. Fees are waived for those aged under 25, and fees for large groups will be capped at €180. Large groups will be able to apply for exemptions for charity collections and for special events such as the choral, jazz, and St Patrick’s Day festivals.
Despite requests to the council for an increase in the noise limit, the bylaws impose a 75dB limit on performers, but the council has allowed the use of backing tracks in certain cases.
Buskers will have to have a minimum 30-minute repertoire, but there will be no audition or screening process before permits are issued.
Performers aged under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and digital and online donations will be permitted.
Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, the chairman of the council’s environment strategic policy committee, praised those involved in the public consultation process following the publication of the draft bylaws.
His party colleague Oliver Moran singled out jazz musician Paul Doherty for rallying street performers whose input into the consultation led to several changes. He said:
"This will put an order on street performance,” Mr Moran said.
Fianna Fáil councillor John Sheehan praised the consultation process which he said struck a balance between the needs of business and street performers and found real practical solutions to the issues raised.
Independent councillor Ken O’Flynn said he was labelled a “killjoy” when he first drafted proposed busking bylaws in 2013, and said the council needs to be “bolder and swifter” in preparing and adopting byelaws.
Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Shannon said implementation will be crucial.
Cork City Council director of services David Joyce said the bylaws will come into effect from May 20, that city officials will enforce the rules, and will have sound monitoring equipment to respond to complaints, and that gardaí will also have powers to enforce the new laws.