In the woods of Glenbower by the River Dissour in Killeagh, East Cork - celebrated in song by Kingfishr - May Sunday magic is set to happen.

People are invited to make, dance and join in a slew of activities when Killeagh’s May Sunday Festival returns from May 1–4.

Activities for children, adults and families pack the programme of free events.

Storytelling through yoga, fun with fairytales and sensory play in nature for the little ones; a scavenger hunt and den building for families and adults only; while a butter-making workshop and a chorus singing walk will add to the ambience.

Steeped in history, the festival has its origins in the 1830s when the local landlord invited villagers onto his estate for music and dancing to show off new bridges and improvements to the land.

This year’s programme builds on these roots with creative movement workshops in nature from dancer Imna Pavon, and set dancing at the edge of the wood led by the Ceili Experience.

There will also be live music spanning the genres with folk, trad, classical and quality covers from a variety of artists including Niamh Bury, Jack Colbert, and Stepping Stones in venues around the village and at Greywood Arts.

Stilt walkers, sound baths and a fire show will be part of the festival buzz, as will local artists and community creatives, with a plein air sketching demonstration from Sheila McMahon and live portrait sketching courtesy of Agnieszka Kyrm and Marian Carroll.

Killeagh Scouts and Youghal Urban Sketchers will also be on hand to showcase their talents and experience.

Actress and writer Ruth Hayes will stage a reading of her new play at Greywood Arts, while a coffee morning with a difference at Ivy Lane will feature readings from poets Paudie Lee - who is of farming stock and is now one of the custodians of Glenbower - Martina Madden, and Rosie Morris, all members of the local Mór artists' collective.

Festival goers will be invited to contribute to an art exhibition by designing portraits from bottle corks for ‘Cork people'. The miniature display will decorate the village’s main street.

Back at Glenbower, an art installation on a much grander scale from artist Jaki Coffey will bring a riot of colour to the heart of the woodland.

Festival organiser and artistic director of Greywood Arts, Jessica Bonenfant, said that the May Sunday Festival welcomes the brighter half of the year with a celebration of creativity, community and nature.

Inspired by Killeagh’s historic village fete of music and dancing in what is now the community owned Glenbower Wood, this modern celebration of Bealtaine aims to have something for everyone.

The tradition of live music and dancing will be kept up on the Sunday, adding art, craft, theatre, poetry, ritual, and fire over the weekend.

A foraging walk and litter pick in Glenbower will bring events to a close.