Free Ferry for Cork Harbour Open Day

A FREE ferry will operate between Aghada, Cobh, Crosshaven, Ringaskiddy and Monkstown for Cork Harbour Open Day. This is a great way to get around the lower harbour and to see all the great activities happening. This is a FREE service sponsored by Port of Cork and the National Maritime College of Ireland. 

Click on the link below to download you’re free route map. 

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Download your free map here

Download the full programme of events here

Atlantic Sea Kayaking & Surf 2 Heal

2 events happening on the city quays during Cork Harbour Open Day. Atlantic Sea Kayaking See Cork city from the River Lee. Tours begins at Lapp's Quay in the heart of Cork - often spoken of as the Venice of Ireland. This tour lasts two hours, and during the tour we slip under the bridges and see the city centre from a uniquely unusual perspective. To book call Jim 028 21058 Surf 2 Heal Custom House Quay between 2-4pm Surf 2 Heal is a nonprofit organisation teaching children with autism to surf. A fantastic initiative built by volunteers, running Surf 2 Heal surf camps around Ireland. They will be collecting donations on the quay.

Surf 2 Heal website 

Latest Cork Harbour Open Day programme of events - updated 7th September

Newly added:
Cannonball Run charity event
Half price walking tours of Spike & Spike Island Open Day
Free entry to Fort Camden


Download the Programme of Events 

Cork Harbour Open Day Set to Be a Great Day for All

This year Cork Harbour Open Day is set to be a great day with so much happening all around the harbour. Now in its third year, Cork Harbour Open Day has grown and each year offers more and more activities both on and off the water. The day itself is a great day 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 will playing host to the Cobh to Blackrock sailing race, kayaking on the River Lee, crab fishing in Cobh, and for the first time a free open day at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy and Fastnet Lines MV Julia open to the public for tours and lunch.

Cork Harbour Community Radio will broadcast throughout the day on frequency 98.3FM live from the NMCI. This community radio initiative is part of a response to the great sense of community developing in the Cork Harbour area and has been made possible by the combined effort and support of many harbour side groups and organisations. 

This year will also see the first ferry shuttle service operated by ‘Whale of a Time’ and sponsored by the Port of Cork and NMCI running in the lower harbour calling at Ringaskiddy, Monkstown, Cobh, Aghada and Crosshaven. Free to anyone who wishes to use it, this ferry will be a great way to see the harbour and get around to the different locations and attractions. 

Visitors to Ringaksiddy 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. Staying in Ringaksiddy, at the Deepwater Quay, Fastnet Lines’ MV Julia will open to the public giving people the chance to go onboard the ferry and even have some lunch if they wish. In the evening, Cork Corona Film Festival will hold a fundraiser themed the ‘Amazing Cork Maritime Experience’ at the NMCI from 5pm onwards. Tickets for this event are available at https://corkfilmfest.ticketsolve.com/shows/126518308/events 

In Cobh, Cunard’s MV Queen Elizabeth will make her maiden call to the Port of Cork and to coincide with this visit, Cunard and the Port of Cork have organised a Lusitania Memorial Service in Cobh led by the Captain of Queen Elizabeth. To add to the occasion, Band 1 Southern Brigade will play in the promenade after the service. Both events are free and open to all. 

In the afternoon ‘See You in Cobh’ will run a crab fishing competition for kids. The Irish Coastguard, RNLI and the Search and Rescue Helicopter will perform a search and rescue demonstration in the lower harbour near Monsktown and Ringaskiddy at 3pm. At 5pm when MV Queen Elizabeth departs a ‘Fond Farewell’ is being organised to encourage spectators around the harbour to wave this great ocean liner off as she departs Cork harbour. Great locations around the harbour to see the departure are Roches Point, Weavers Point, Camden Fort, Cobh town or Whitegate. 

Spike Island will be open to the public all day, with boat rides operating from Kennedy Pier in Cobh to the island throughout the day. Live music, face painters, clowns and jugglers will be on the island to entertain and visitors to the island are being encouraged to bring their own picnic for the day. 

In Crosshaven, the Rescue Camden Committee have organised a free open day from 12-6pm. The fort will host the Airborne 101 re-enactors and a weapons display and a ‘Port in Pictures’ photograph exhibition. Camden Fort is a perfect location to watch MV Queen Elizabeth as she departs Cobh at 5pm. Crosshaven will also hold their annual triathlon at 4pm. 

In Cork City, the Irish naval vessel L.E.Ciara will be open to the public for free tours of the ship from 11am to 4pm. Also in the morning visitors will get to see the amazing 150 cars taking part in this year’s Cannonball Run in aid of Barretstown Kids charity, as they depart Custom House quay at 11am. Blackrock Castle Observatory will present their theatrical tours 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.

In Aghada, there will be tales and stories of the south east side of the harbour throughout the day held in Rosies Bar. Visitors can use the ferry shuttle which would take them to Aghada’s new pontoon facility recently opened. 

Aimed at embracing what Cork Harbour has to offer, the Cork Harbour Open Day 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 emerged from discussions between various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for the Harbour. A 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 Day and see the full programme of events visit www.corkharbour.ie or email harbourevents@corkharbour.ie for information. 

Cork Harbour Open Day, Saturday 10th September

Follow Us on Twitter @corkharbour 

NMCI open day

The National Maritime College of Ireland will be opening their doors to the public on Cork Harbour Open Day from 12pm – 5pm and they will be providing free guided tours of their superb facilities. 

The tour includes a sea survival pool showcase that can demonstrate world-class special effects that includes wave generation and strobe lighting. 

The multi million euro 270-degree Kongsberg simulator will also be on show. This will be opened to the public for the first time and is capable of simulating our very own harbour along with famous ports such as New York and Sydney harbour. This family friendly event will also have a face painter along with local food producers set up around the campus. 

Cork Harbour Community Radio will be broadcasting from the foyer with a mix of music, chat and news from around the harbour area.

There is a possibility of a water taxi/shuttle ferry between surrounding harbour areas including NMCI-Monsktown-Crosshaven-Cobh….please keep an eye on the NMCI Blog  for further updates!

Corona Cork Film Festival Fundraiser at NMCI, Ringaskiddy

Corona Cork Film Festival will host a fundraiser in association with NMCI Services and the Port of Cork at 5pm on Cork Harbour Open day, which takes place on September 10th. The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) will host the event which is entitled ‘The Amazing Cork Maritime Experience” this will be an evening of the arts, film and entertainment. 

The fundraiser includes arrival via a Harbour Cruise, a Maritime Art Exhibition, Music on the lawn, a selection of Maritime Short-Films, Guided Tours of the College’s Facilities, and finally ‘The Great Cork Boat Race’ which is a remote controlled boat races with prizes. 

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Mr. Simon Coveney T.D was at the NMCI to officially launch Cork Harbour Open Day 2011. This is the third year of event which aims to embrace and showcase what Cork Harbour has to offer and organisers are hopeful that the wide range of events will attract many people.


Purchase tickets for the fundraiser 

NMCI Blog

Three reasons to cheer for lovers of ships this Cork Harbour Open Day

Cork Harbour Open Day is giving three good reasons to smile for people who love ships. The Irish Navy vessel the LE Ciara will be docked at the city quays and will be open to the public during the day. 

In Ringaskiddy the ferry that plies the Cork to Swansea route, Fasnet Line’s MV Julia, will be open to the public between 11am and 3pm. The Julia will serve food from its self -service restaurant on Deck 6 and teas, coffees and snacks from it’s café also on Deck 6. You can also be in with a chance to win a voucher for a car and up to four passengers to travel on the MV Julia, which is valid until September 2012

Finally, Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth will be entering Cork Harbour bound for her maiden call to Cobh at 9 am and will depart at 5 pm. There will be many excellent vantage points all over the harbour. One of the most unique spots to see her will be from Fort Meagher, Camden which is open to the public free of charge between 12 midday and 6 PM. 

Spike island open day

To celebrate Cork Harbour Open day, Cork County Council is offering a family day out on Fort Mitchel on Spike Island. This is an opportunity to explore the historical fort and picnic in the grounds with the family. Enjoy the music of relaxing Blues band 'The Vipers' while the children are entertained by performers and face painters. You will get a chance to view the cell blocks and see the magnificent Gun Emplacement overlooking the wonderful entrance to Cork Harbour. 

Boats to Spike Island will leave Cobh's Kennedy Pier at 11.30 am and will continue to run until 2.30 pm.. Trips from Spike island back to Cobh will run until 5.30 pm. Tickets for boats and entrance to the fort are priced at €5 per adult and €10 per family. 

Tickets are available from: 
The kiosk on Kennedy Pier in Cobh, 
Dave's Coffee Shop in Cobh, 
The Heritage Centre in Cobh, 
Union Chandlery on Penrose Quay in Cork City, 

On-line - www.tickets.ie (booking on-line will incur surcharge)


Get your ticket on www.tickets.ie 

New date for the Great Island Row

Having fallen foul of the weather last weekend, the Great Island charity Row will now take place on Sunday, September 18th with an 8am start.

The full list of championship results for 2011 are also available from the Coastal Rowing Association website. 


Cork Coastal Rowing website 

Fort Camden celebrates Cork Harbour open day this coming Saturday, September 10th

On Saturday, September 10th, Fort Meagher Camden is free to the public from 12.00 to 18.00hrs, as part of, the Cork Harbour Open day, events. 

With only 3 open weekends left, before we close for the winter. This coming weekend, will see the return of the Airborne 101 reenactors, who will be stationed in the Fort, this Saturday and Sunday, the 10th &11th. 

If you have not already seen these guys in action, do not miss them, as you are in for a real treat ! Weapons display approx. 13:30hrs followed by the main event at approx. 15:30hrs. The Airbourne 101 are on site all day and love to interact with the public, young and old. 

The new Cunard’s line cruise ship, the Queen Elizabeth, is due to pass Fort Meagher Camden at 17:30 hrs aprox. We have extended our opening hours, from 12 - 1800 hrs, to facilitate the viewing of her departure from Cobh, at 17:00 hrs. 

It will be a wonderful opportunity, to come and bid the Q.E. a “Fond Fairwell” as she continues her seaward journey. The ZIg Zag of the Fort, provides a wonderful expansive view of the Harbour, and when the she passes you will almost feel like, you can reach out to touch her. Why not bring something to wave her on her way! 

Join us this Saturday, for “Cork Harbour open day” at Fort Meagher Camden. You are promised a great day out, with a selection of events from re-enactors to the brand new exhibit in the gallery, of the Port of Cork’s " Port in Pictures". 


Rescue Camden website 

Tune in to the Cork Harbour Open Day!

This year Cork Harbour Open Day will have its very own radio station, broadcasting on 98.3FM and online. Cork Harbour Community Radio will broadcast from 10am until 6pm, live from the foyer of the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy, and will feature music, guest interviews and lots more. Of course it will keep you up to date on all the activities happening in the harbour on the 10th. The broadcast will be repeated on Sunday 11th and will thereafter be made available as a series of podcasts. 

Presenters Kieran Hurley and Conor Lyons from Cork Campus Radio in UCC, and musician Ken Cotter will anchor a series of shows throughout the day. Each show will be peppered with tasty vignettes of harbour life. 

This once-off radio project has been developed in response to the growing sense of community developing within the entire harbour area and may very well be a taste of things to come!! 

Drop in to the studio on the day during the NMCI’s open day between 12 midday and 4pm. Text the station on the day on 086 7839800, or keep in touch via CorkHarbour.ie’s Twitter and Facebook pages (linked in the banner above). 

A link to the podcast will be available on CorkHarbour.ie

Live on Spike sparkles in the sun

Live On Spike was a spectacular success last Saturday 3rd September. Even the sun made an unexpected guest appearance for this first live music event on the island. However it was on the stage where the brightest lights shone. Cookie from Cobh set the bar very high with her opening set and the audiences were eased into a comfortable afternoon of music with her soulful sounds and stunning voice. 

Singer songwriter Aine Whelan’s haunting vocals resonated around the ancient fort walls as she performed some new songs as well as more established numbers from her albums ‘Don’t Mind The Rain’ and ‘Between The Moon And Mercury’. 

Ken Cotter & Mark Slade performed tracks from Ken’s forthcoming album ‘Anatomy Of A Goddess’, based on his reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses, before music fans were treated to a special acoustic set by headline act, The Frank And Walters. The Franks wandered through a bevy of hits from their back catalogue in a laid-back fashion, fitting perfectly with the chilled out vibe. 

As the last of the ham rolls were eaten, and flasks of tea were emptied, the audiences were treated to one more act. The Cobh based band, The Empire Lights, wowed one and all with their polished pop-rock. Music fans hit the ferries back to Cobh with their song ‘Momentum’ ringing in their ears as they left this most unique venue. 

Red FM’s Dave Mac kept everyone well informed from the stage between the acts, and Cork County Council had laid on a special photo exhibition in one of the old cells, which proved to be a big hit with everyone. Here’s to next year's events on Spike.