10 May 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork Harbour Festival is the largest annual event in Cork Harbour offering a nine day celebration of Cork’s maritime culture, from 3rd – 11th June 2017. Starting on the June Bank Holiday weekend the festival features 60 events taking place in Cork City as well as 15 harbour towns and villages.
There are many different events to dive into, from outdoor activities to guided walks, open days to open sails, seafood markets to seaweed foraging and so much more.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: On the water, you can take your pick of sailing, kayaking, speed boat trips, surfing, swimming, coasteering and stand-up paddle boarding. Or, if you want a more relaxing festival experience, try the seaweed foraging walk or the wonderfully soothing mobile sauna.
HERITAGE: Explore the history and many stories of Cork Harbour by visiting its ancient forts and heritage sites; from Camden Fort Meagher Open Weekend on 3rd-5th June to Roche’s Point Lighthouse Open Day on 4th June. Take a guided walk of Elizabeth Fort or jump on a ferry to Spike Island for a tour of Fort Mitchel.
SPECTACLE: Don’t miss the Ocean to City – An Rás Mór, Ireland’s premier rowing event, on Saturday June 10th. This spectacular long distance rowing race attracts hundreds of participants from all over the world competing in everything from traditional wooden boats, currachs, gigs and longboats to Chinese dragon boats, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. So, come along and cheer on the magnificent fleet of 200+ boats from the many vantage points along the harbour.
FAMILY FUN: Kids will love the festival too! Learn to climb a rope like a pirate; visit the Pelican of London Tall Ship; go water trampolining or orienteering; take a ghostly tour of Cork City; learn survival skills on Spike Island, or go crab fishing in Cobh. There is so much on offer for all the family.
WALKS & TALKS: A diverse range of walks and talks are featured in the festival. Join us for a food trail in Cork City, a photography safari along Cobh Harbour or an historical walking tour of Cobh. From 6th to 8th June, come along to the hugely popular Lunchtime Lectures with the UCC Department of History at St. Peter’s Church, where topics such as fisheries, coastal defence fortifications and Cork Women and the U.S Navy will be presented.
CULTURE: Featuring ten different exhibitions as well as art performances, music, circus, songs and stories there is plenty to offer the culture vulture. Visit ‘Portraits: Women of Cork and the U.S. Navy 1917-1919’ at the Sirius Arts Centre; explore the art exhibition ‘Tairlearach – From Beyond the Sea’ at Cork City Hall and the internationally renowned ‘Unveiled Horizons’ at the Port of Cork.
Joya Kuin, Festival Manager, “Cork Harbour Festival is getting bigger and better each year. The festival encompasses all that the harbour has to offer the visitor and local alike, packed full of heritage, culture, stories, water activities, people and communities and lots of fun and memories in the making”. Now in its third year, the festival celebrates Cork Harbour as a natural and cultural resource, with the communities and their stories at the heart of it.
Hugo McCarthy celebrates the launch of Cork Harbour Festival, 3-11 June, which features over 60 events in Cork City as well as 15 harbour towns and villages. There is so much to dive into over the nine festival days; take your pick of outdoor activities to guided walks, open days to open sails, seafood markets to seaweed foraging and lots more. Picture: Clare Keogh
