Cork Harbour Festival is the largest annual event in Cork Harbour and takes place from June 3rd – 11th with 60 events taking place in Cork City as well as 15 harbour towns and villages.
Here’s six great reasons to pencil it into your diary!
1. Lots of 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.
The Cork Harbour Festival 3rd – 11th June 2017 (Credit Clare Keogh)
2. So Much 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.
3. An Rás Mór: 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.
4. Seriously Family Friendly 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.
60 events taking place around Cork (Credit Clare Keogh)
5. Loads of 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.
6. Culture Galore! 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.
The full festival programme of over 60 events is available online at www.corkharbourfestival.com.
