Rita Ora gave Cork a day to remember this week, flying into the Rebel County for a surprise private gig that turned a corporate milestone into a full-blown celebration.
The chart-topping singer jetted into Leeside on Tuesday to perform a closed-door concert at Apple’s Hollyhill campus, marking a major anniversary for the tech giant, which first established its European headquarters in the city back in 1980.
The event also coincided with a significant financial milestone, with Apple’s latest filings showing its Irish operations generated an eye-watering €81 billion in profit.
Around 6,000 employees were invited to the exclusive show, with the usually low-key northside campus transformed into something resembling a mini music festival. A full stage, lighting rigs and barriers were set up on-site, creating a proper live gig atmosphere for staff who rarely get this kind of perk during the working week.
Clips from the performance quickly spread across local social media pages, including The Boys and Girls of Knocka, showing Ora belting out some of her biggest hits to a lively crowd. Tracks like Black Widow, Let You Love Me and Ask & You Shall Receive all featured in what was described as a high-energy, full-band set.
@ritabot.canada patiently waiting for her to tour 😌 #ritaora #performance #chrisbrown #throwback #fyp ♬ original sound - ritaora.canada (fanpage)
The pop star wasn’t the only name on the bill, either. Stephanie Rainey, a Cork native who gained international attention following her appearance on America’s Got Talent in 2024, warmed up the crowd ahead of Ora’s headline performance, adding a strong local flavour to the event.
It wasn’t all work for Ora during her short trip to Ireland.
The singer made the most of her time off-stage by exploring some of Cork’s best-known spots, sharing glimpses of her visit on social media. She was seen taking in the colourful streets and cafés of Kinsale, as well as popping into popular city locations including J.J. Walsh’s, The Oval Bar and the iconic English Market, where she even grabbed a quick bite.
Fans were also delighted to see the singer taking time to chat and interact after the show, adding to the buzz surrounding her visit.
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Taking to Instagram after her whirlwind trip, Ora shared a heartfelt message reflecting on her time in Ireland. ‘[Irish flag emoji] it was too short but I loved the girl I became on and off the stage. I can’t wait to come back and perform my tour… I love you.’
In another message, she added: "It was too short, but I loved the girl I became ON and OFF the stage. I can’t wait to come back and perform my Tour. I’ll see you when I come back! I love you. P.S.: singing with my band and hearing those live vocals come together just melted my heart!"
While the performance may have felt like a one-off spectacle, it’s not the first time Apple has pulled off a surprise gig for its Cork workforce.
The company has a track record of bringing major artists to Hollyhill, with the Sugababes performing a private show in 2024 as part of an internal event, while Irish star Dermot Kennedy previously stunned staff with a surprise lunchtime performance.
Apple’s presence in Cork remains hugely significant, both locally and nationally.
The Hollyhill campus has grown steadily over the decades and now employs more than 6,000 people, making it one of the largest employers in the region. The recent opening of a new building, Hollyhill 5, further underlines the company’s long-term commitment to the area, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin visiting the site last month to officially mark the expansion.
Against that backdrop, the decision to celebrate such a major milestone with a high-profile performance from a global pop star reflects both the scale of Apple’s success in Ireland and its efforts to invest in staff experience.
For those lucky enough to be on site, the event was more than just a concert — it was a rare moment where one of the world’s biggest tech companies blended corporate success with genuine entertainment. And judging by the reaction online, it’s a day many in Cork won’t forget anytime soon.
