Two days of fun filled activities for all ages on 15th & 16th September
This year, Cork Harbour Open Weekend has a jam packed programme over two days with lots of activities on offer for all ages. Taking place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th September, Cork Harbour Open Weekend will offer lots of events and activities for all, both on and off the water. Due to the success of the one day event held in previous years, it has been decided to extend the event to two days for 2012.
The open weekend is a great opportunity for people to see exactly what Cork Harbour has to offer, and this year is no exception with the second largest natural harbour in the world playing host to the annual Cobh to Blackrock sailing race, kayaking on the River Lee, crab fishing in Cobh, a free open day at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy and in Cork city, the Irish Naval vessel L.E.Ciara will be open to the public for free tours on both Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors to Ringaskiddy over the weekend will be given the opportunity to go on a free guided tour around the National Maritime College of Ireland and see their panoramic bridge ship simulators, the survival pool and the marine workshops.
Also running in the National Maritime College of Ireland will be free screenings of finalist entries of ‘8 Minutes: The Ford Short Film Competition’. Part of the Titanic 100 event, the competition saw hundreds of entries from film makers across Ireland, of short films, eight minutes in length based on a Titanic theme. All 12 finalist’s entries will be screened over the weekend.
To celebrate Cork Harbour Open Weekend, Spike Island is offering a family day out on the Island with live music, children’s entertainers and an opportunity to walk on the recently completed Walking Trail around the perimeter of Fort Mitchell with stunning views of Cork Harbour. Military Exhibitions will also be on display. Visitors to the Island are being encouraged to bring their own picnic. Guided Walking Tours of Fort Mitchell are also available at a 50% discount of the normal rate over the weekend. Boat rides will operate from Kennedy Pier, Cobh to the Island.
In Crosshaven, Camden Fort Meagher will be hosting Military Re-enactments on both days. On Sunday a family day will be held to include Children’s Entertainers, Fancy Dress Competition and live music.
In Cobh, there will be crab fishing at The Promenade from 3 – 5pm on the Saturday while Sunday will see a ‘Life Along the Seashore’ walk at 3pm. Also in Cobh on both Saturday and Sunday, will be the ‘Cobh Great Island, Great harbour, Great Ships, Great Puzzle’ treasure hunt.
Blackrock Castle Observatory will present their theatrical tours on Saturday and Sunday bringing the colourful story of the castle to life from 400 years ago to present day. A great venue for all the family and a super location to watch the Cobh to Blackrock sailing race, as the yachts head up the river.
Also taking place on Saturday, 15th September is the Emergency, Voluntary and Statutory Services Exhibition which will see demonstrations, drills, and exhibitions taking place to promote and showcase the best of the emergency services. Organisers will simulate crash scenes, perform fire-fighting displays, take to the River Lee in sea riders to perform rib displays, and mount a simulated rescue operation in which rescue personnel will abseil from buildings.
Aimed at embracing what Cork Harbour has to offer, the Cork Harbour Open Weekend aims to raise awareness of the different activities available for people in the harbour both on and off the water. It’s a great day for all the family with many events free to everyone.
The idea for a Harbour Open Day, now extended to a full weekend, emerged from discussions between various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for the Harbour in 2007. This has been taken forward by the Harbour Management Focus Group (HMFG) which meets quarterly to exchange information on Harbour issues. A HMFG working group comprising representatives from UCC, City and County Councils and the Port of Cork set about working together to engage users of the Harbour and to organise the Open Day.
For more information on Cork Harbour Open Weekend and see the full programme of events visit www.corkharbour.ie or email harbourevents@corkharbour.ie for information.