Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine Simon Coveney, T.D. Launches Ring of Cork Festival
Saturday, 18 May 2013: More than one hundred local businesses from the craft, tourism, leisure and food sectors in South and East Cork came together this weekend to celebrate the Ring of Cork. There were dance flash mobs, a gathering of American travel and tourism writers, artisan food heroes and even surfing and bush-style survival demonstrations all happening in Midleton this weekend at the Ring of Cork Festival!
Supported by SECAD, the South and East Cork Area Development company, the Ring of Cork brand endeavours to market the many splendours of the SE region from food and scenery to craft and adventure for people of all ages from all over Ireland and abroad.
Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine Simon Coveney, T.D. was on hand to launch the Ring of Cork Festival in Midleton at the weekend.
“I originally launched the Ring of Cork brand in 2012 and it is refreshing to see how the Ring of Cork community in the South and East Cork region have pulled together to get the brand and festival up and running. It is invaluable in the current climate to work together for the greater good of the region. Today’s festival is a testament to the community spirit and collaboration here and I applaud everyone involved for making this festival a success”.
Ryan Howard, Chair of South & East Cork Tourism and CEO of SECAD said “This super festival saw in excess of 100 businesses join forces to celebrate the Ring of Cork brand. This unique event showcases all the region has to offer from the best food in Ireland, to a vibrant craft sector and the wildest family fun and adventure in our woodlands and coastline, at the pet farms and of course Fota Wildlife park. The region has a rich cultural heritage showcased by the Titanic Experience in Cobh, the Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig and of course the Jameson Experience in Midleton. All this and a community spirit that is second to none! We are very proud indeed to support the Ring of Cork brand and activities in this Region”.
Drawing from the Ring of Cork area specialities, there were 5 key festival areas – food, craft, family fun, adventure, culture and heritage.
Local dance company, Studio D School which is run by Diane O’ Sullivan left festival goers speechless as they performed a number of upbeat flash mobs throughout the course of the festival. Live cooking demonstrations from local artisan producers and restaurants provided wonderful tastings and samplings for festival goers, while talks on the region’s heritage took place in the Midleton Courthouse.
Children at the Ring of Cork festival were treated to pottery making, clay modeling, face painting, sweet treats and even surfing lessons and wilderness skills. Many children joined in the flash mob dancing routines while others petted the piglets, puppies and rare mammals provided by Leahys Pet Farm.
The Ring of Cork includes the towns of Cobh, Midleton, Youghal, Carrigaline, and Ballincollig and their surrounding areas, and is supported by the South and East Cork Area Development organisation (SECAD) as well as the town councils of Cobh, Midleton and Youghal.
For further festival details, visit www.ringofcork.ie or www.Facebook.com/ringofcork or follow us on Twitter @RingofCork.