Cork ARC Dragon Boat Race

Join the Cork Dragon boat racing at 1PM on Saturday 22nd September

Cork ARC would like to extend a warm welcome to all women or men diagnosed with or recovering from breast cancer to register for the forthcoming Dragon Boating event, an initiative of Meitheal Mara in partnership with Cork ARC Cancer Support House, the Health Promotion Dept, HSE and the Prince Clinic. Dragon boat racing has all the right ingredients for a healthy return to wellness- physical exercise; it is outdoors, fun, support and laughter. No previous boating experience needed and it is open to all levels of physical fitness. Registration is necessary – For an application form contact Shirley O’Shea: Email: Shirley.oshea@hse.ie Tel: 0876670857 SO COME ALONG AND TRY OUT DRAGON BOATING FOR YOURSELF AT 1PM ON SATURDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 2012 AT LAPP’S QUAY! Related links for this article  Cork Dragons Facebook Cork ARC Cancer Support Facebook

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Countdown to the Open Weekend – Focus on Cobh

Crab fishing in Cobh- a perennial favourite with kids of all ages!

There is an amazing array of events happening in Cobh to celebrate this coming Cork Harbour Open Weekend. There’s something for everyone and all these events are free. Cobh is also the departure point for the Spike Island ferries, which leave from Kennedy Quay. Tickets for Spike can be purchased from the kiosk there. Cobh to Blackrock Sailing Race (Sat only) - Free to watch – First Gun @ 2.30  A yearly event. Boats of all classes race from Cobh to Blackrock. This year the boats will continue up the river to the new Port of Cork City Marina. Over 50 boats expected to take part. To enter the race contact Cove Sailing Club. Spectator points on the race route are Blackrock Castle, Monkstown, Passage West and Cobh. Crab Fishing (Sat Only) – Free – Promenade, Cobh – 3.30AM - 5PM  A crab fishing competition for all the family to enjoy. A fishing line, bucket and bait will be supplied. The venue is Kennedy Park (The Promenade) in Cobh where even the youngest of children can fish in safety. The competition starts at 3.30pm and finishes at 5pm on Saturday. Organised by Cobh Tourism. Life Along the Seashore Walk (Sun only) - Free - Bishop Roche Park (Cove Fort), Cobh - 3PM  Discover life along the seashore at this walking tour along the shore, which is suitable for families. Meet at Bishop Roche Park (Cove Fort), next to the Port of Cork Operations Station, Connolly Street, Cobh. This event is run by Cobh Tidy Towns in association with the Irish Peatland Conservation Council and assisted by the Cork County Council Environmental Awareness Unit. Wolseley Vintage Car Rally (Sat Only) – Free – Cobh – 11AM – 12PM  Outside the Commodore Hotel. The annual Wolseley Car Club of Ireland rally will see around 50 cars visit Cobh. The rally attracts vintage cars, pre-war cars and post-war cars of all kinds. The event is not just a run. There are regularity sections and manoeuvrability tests. The competitor who performs best on these is the winner. ‘Exiles’ Exhibition (Sat & Sun) – Free – Cobh – 2PM-5PM  See this excellent multi-media exhibition on emigration housed in a forty foot container on Kennedy Pier, Cobh. Operated by Cobh Tourism. Great Island, Great Harbour, Great Ships, Great Puzzle (Sat & Sun) – Free – Cobh – Sat 9.30AM - 5PM, Sun 11AM – 5PM  A treasure hunt mingled with a word search puzzle that is fun and educational for all the family. The puzzle can be collected from the ticket desk in Cobh Heritage Centre. Organised by Cobh Tourism and Cobh Heritage Centre. Related links for this article  Download your copy of the full Open Weekend programme of events here. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=209

Countdown to the Open Weekend – Focus on Crosshaven & Camden Fort Meagher

Scenes from last years Open Day in Camden Fort Meagher

Camden Fort Meagher will be open on both days on this it’s final weekend for public admission in 2012. The fort will be open between 12 – 5PM and a small charge applies. Re-enactors across the ages will be on site offering weapon displays and battle re-enactments from the Celts, Romans right through World War 1 &2 with over 60 re-enactors on site. A fancy dress themed weekend with prizes for all different categories will be amplified by the arrival of the Cobh Animation Team on Sunday. Also on Sunday there will be a Flute & Guitar performance from the Cork School of Music. Admission: 12 & over - €4, Under 12 - €2, U4 – Free, Family of 2+3, U12 - €12 For those in need of refreshments on the Saturday, or on the lookout for local produce, there will be a Farmers Food and Craft Market in Crosshaven village between 10AM – 2PM. Finally, if you are taking part in the Irish Cruising Club South Region Annual End Of Season Raft-Up on the Saturday, there is a dinner in the RCYC once events have concluded. The raft-up should be a stunning spectacle from both the land and sea. The raft-up commences on Saturday at 1.30PM and last year it took place behind Great Island, but of course, it’s weather, wind and tide dependent! Related links for this article  For more information on Camden Download your copy of the full Open Weekend programme of events here. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=207

Countdown to the Open Weekend – Focus on Spike Island

See the 6" gun overlooking the entrance to Cork Harbour from Spike Island.

To celebrate Cork Harbour Open Weekend, Cork County Council is offering a family day out on Spike Island on both Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th. This is an opportunity to explore the historical fort, picnic in the grounds with the family and walk the recently completed 1.6km Walking Trail developed along the perimeter of Fort Mitchell with stunning views over Cork Harbour. The official opening of the trail takes place on Saturday at 3.30PM and will be performed in the presence of Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food & The Marine, and Cllr. Barbra Murray, Cork County Mayor. You will also get a chance to view the cell blocks and see the magnificent Gun Emplacement overlooking the wonderful entrance to Cork Harbour. Military exhibitions will also be on display. Enjoy the live music while the children are entertained by performers and face painters or have a coffee in the Coffee Shop. See below for a full entertainment line-up. Boats to Spike Island will leave Kennedy Pier, Cobh from 11.00am -4.00pm. Return trips from Spike Island back to Cobh will run until 6.00pm. Tickets for boats and entrance to the fort are priced at €5 per adult and €15 per family and will be available at the Marine Transport Kiosk, Kennedy Pier. If you would prefer to be shown around Spike by a guide, Spike Island Tours are offering half price tours to the island with ferries leaving from Kennedy Pier in Cobh at 1PM, 2PM and 4PM on Saturday, and 2PM and 3PM on Sunday. Tickets are available on Kennedy Pier, Cobh. Entertainment Saturday 15th September: 13.00 – 17.00 Face painting 13.00 – 17.00 Pirate Actress entertaining children 13.00 – 15.00 Balloon Modelling 13.00 – 1500 Ace Wild – Live Music 15.00 – 17.00 Puppeteering 15.00 – 1700 Cobh Blues Band (Please note times may be adjusted to suit visitor numbers)  Entertainment Sunday 16th September: : 13.00 – 17.00 Face painting 13.00 – 17.00 Pirate Actress entertaining children 13.00 – 15.00 Balloon Modelling 13.00 – 1500 Cookie – Live Music 15.00 – 17.00 Puppeteering 15.00 – 1700 Jericho – Live Music (Please note times may be adjusted to suit visitor numbers)  http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=208

Countdown to the Open Weekend - Focus on NMCI, Ringaskiddy

SkyTec Ireland Ltd, an IMERC partner company, will be demonstrating the use of it’s UAV mini copter in the NMCI

Focus on NMCI, Ringaskiddy Click here to download your copy of the Programme of Events with map  The National Maritime College of Ireland will open its doors to the public this Cork Harbour Open Weekend between 11AM -4PM on both days, and there will be plenty to see and do! Back again this year is the incredibly popular tour of the college. Particular favourites as always, are the visit to the NMCI’s Environmental Survival Pool and the Panoramic Bridge Simulator. Kids will love visiting these unique simulated environments. Each tour will commence with a brief film about the college and the tour takes about 40 minutes in total. Not that you’ll notice the time going by! SkyTec Ireland Ltd, an IMERC partner company, will be demonstrating the use of it’s UAV mini copter in the NMCI gym, or outside the NMCI if the weather permits, at 12PM, 1PM and 3PM on both Saturday & Sunday. These unmanned aerial vehicles are sure to impress. SkyTec Ireland recently acquired the Irish Aviation Authority's Aerial Work Permission to commence operations, and this demonstration will show the unique value of their work. SeaTech, another IMERC partner company, will display their marine IT skills by demonstrating a marine communications exercise linking the NMCI to Roches Point. This demo takes place on both Saturday and Sunday. Finally, the NMCI is offering visitors the chance to view the 12 finalists in the 8 Minutes: Ford Short Film Competition which saw entries from hundreds of film-makers, all producing eight minute films based on the theme ‘Titanic’. Screenings will run from 11AM -4PM on both days. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=205

Countdown to the Open Weekend - Focus on Cork City

The Irish Naval Service vessel, the LE Ciara will be open to the public on Saturday between 3PM – 6PM and on Sunday between 11AM – 4PM

Focus on Cork City Click here to download your copy of the Programme of Events with map  There’s plenty to do in Cork City this Cork Harbour Open Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will undoubtedly be the outdoor event taking place on Saturday, 15th September from 11am to 5pm in the Port of Cork and at Kennedy Quay, which will be closed to traffic for the day. The Voluntary & Emergency Services event will include activities on and off the water featuring an Air Corps abseiling demo, staged helicopter rescues from the Crosshaven lifeboat, an RTA mass casualty incident demo, Irish search dog display and a pipe welding display by Bord Gáis , the main sponsors of the event. The Irish Naval Service vessel, the LE Ciara will be open to the public on Saturday between 4PM – 6PM and on Sunday between 1PM – 3.30PM. This free tour is always extremely popular with kids. Finally, just outside the city, in the village of Blackrock, the Blackrock Castle Observatory will be presenting theatrical tours of the castle, bringing the 400 year history of the castle to life. Visitors will go on a behind the scenes tour up to the turret observatory and down to the dungeon, a National Monument. Tours take place at 1.30pm and 3.30pm each day. Adult €6; Concession (OAP/ Child 5-14yrs/ student) €4; Family (2+2) €16; Under 5s Free. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=206

Countdown to the Open Weekend – Free Lower Harbour Shuttle Ferry

Click below for a larger scale version of the timetable and map

This year Cork Harbour Open Weekend takes place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th September. A great way to appreciate Cork Harbour is from the water and this coming weekend you have a chance to explore the lower harbour on the free shuttle ferry operating on both days between 12 and 3PM. The shuttle ferry, operated by ‘Whale of A Time’ and sponsored by the Port of Cork and Lend Lease at the NMCI, will run between the towns and villages involved in the Open Weekend. The harbour shuttle was hugely popular last year and was one of the highlights of 2011. This year the ferry is guaranteed to have the same impact. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=204

Entertainment on Spike Island for Cork Harbour Open Weekend

Ariel view of the magnificent fort on Spike Island.

Cork County Council is celebrating Cork Harbour Open Weekend by offering a family day out on Spike Island. This is an opportunity to explore the historical fort, picnic in the grounds with the family and walk the recently completed 1.6km Walking Trail developed along the perimeter of Fort Mitchell with stunning views over Cork Harbour. You will get a chance to view the cell blocks and see the magnificent Gun Emplacement overlooking the wonderful entrance to Cork Harbour. Military exhibitions will also be on display. Enjoy the live music while the children are entertained by performers and face painters or have a coffee in the Coffee Shop. See the programme of entertainment below. Boats to Spike Island will leave Kennedy Pier, Cobh from 11.00am -4.00pm. Return trips from Spike Island back to Cobh will run until 6.00pm. Tickets for boats and entrance to the fort are priced at €5 per adult and €15 per family and will be available at the Marine Transport Kiosk, Kennedy Pier. Entertainment Saturday 15th September: 13.00 – 17.00 Face painting 13.00 – 17.00 Pirate Actress entertaining children 13.00 – 15.00 Balloon Modelling 13.00 – 1500 Ace Wild – Live Music 15.00 – 17.00 Puppeteering 15.00 – 1700 Cobh Blues Band (Please note times may be adjusted to suit visitor numbers)  Entertainment Sunday 16th September: : 13.00 – 17.00 Face painting 13.00 – 17.00 Pirate Actress entertaining children 13.00 – 15.00 Balloon Modelling 13.00 – 1500 Cookie – Live Music 15.00 – 17.00 Puppeteering 15.00 – 1700 Jericho – Live Music (Please note times may be adjusted to suit visitor numbers) http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=202

Big Boy’s Toys To Roar At Kennedy Quay

Scenes from the World Rescue Challenge which took place at Custom House Quay during the Cork Harbour Open Day in 2010. The Voluntary and Emergency Services Weekend will once again see demonstrations from Ireland's emergency services personnel.

Final Preparations Made Ahead of Voluntary and Emergency Services Weekend Huge crowds are expected at Cork’s Kennedy Quay on Saturday, September 15th to see the land, sea and air display taking place as part of the largest ever Voluntary and Statutory Emergency Services Exhibition which runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 14th to 16th in Cork’s City Hall. Hundreds of voluntary and emergency services personnel are set to take part in the weekend. The aim of the event is to encourage young people to give their time to the Voluntary Emergency Services as part of a civic pride initiative and create an awareness of the vital role of the Emergency Services in our City and County. It has been organised by the Knocknaheeny Hollyhill, Garda Youth Diversion Project under the European Social Fund (ESF) in conjunction with the Garda Siochana at Gurranabraher and Cork City Council. Speaking at the launch at Knocknaheeny/Holyhill Special Justice Project, councillor Tony fitzgerald said, “Promoting the good and essential service of the Voluntary Emergency Services is especially important given the tragic events in Glandore earlier this year, as well as the recent flooding disasters across Cork City and County”. “We want to celebrate their hard work and dedication and encourage others to get involved in these essential services” he added. The highlight of the event will undoubtedly be the outdoor event taking place on Saturday, 15th September from 11am to 5pm in the Port of Cork and at Kennedy Quay which will be closed to traffic for the day. Activities on and off the water will include an Air Corps abseiling demo, staged helicopter rescues from the Crosshaven lifeboat, an RTA mass casualty incident demo, Irish search dog display and a pipe welding display by Bord Gáis , the main sponsors of the event. The activity on the water is going to a real testament to the services and will form part of a bumper weekend for Cork as it coincides with the Cork Harbour Open Weekend which will see lots of free family events taking place throughout the harbour on both the Saturday and Sunday. Each agency will have a display stand in Cork City Hall which will be open to the public free of charge throughout the weekend. Opening hours will be as follows, Friday 14th, 4pm-9pm, Sat 15th, 10am-6pm and Sunday 16th, 11am-4pm. The Exhibition will be officially opened on Friday evening at 6pm by Minister for Defence, Justice, Equality and Law Reform Mr Alan Shatter T.D. and large crowds are expected to attend over the three days. Participating Emergency Services include The Civil Defence, Army Reserve, Garda Siochana and Garda Reserve, Fire Service, Navy and Navy Reserve, Irish Coast Guard, The Lifeboat Service, HSE Ambulance Service, Defence Forces, Irish Air Corps, Knocknaheeny Justice Project, Irish Coast Guard, Academy of Emergency Care in Sports, National Office of Suicide Prevention, St. John’s Ambulance, The Order of Malta, Cork Area Water Safety and The Scouts. The project is supported by main sponsors Cork City Council and Bord Gáis, The Department of Justice Equality & Law Reform, under the European Social Fund (ESF), media sponsors Evening Echo, as well as Bus Eireann, FAS, the VEC and the HSE, Johnson and Johnson and the Port of Cork. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=201

Cobh Museum, 5 Euro Family Tickets on Saturdays in September

View of Cobh Museum (Scots Church) from the water.Photo from Cobh Museum Website.

For the month of September families can visit Cobh Museum for only 5 euro. This includes a quiz on their exhibitions for 5-12 year olds. This quiz helps the children to look more closely at the exhibits and learn a little more about life in Cobh (then called Queenstown) 100 years ago when the Titanic called. Current exhibitions include “TITANIC, Reflections and Reactions - Queenstown 1912“. This exhibition provides a view of what everyday life was like in Cobh, then Queenstown, set against the shocking news of the Titanic’s sinking only four days after leaving Cork Harbour. Cobh Museum is situated in Scots Church overlooking Cork Harbour and is a voluntary Museum run on a not-for-profit basis. Visit Cobh Museum online at the link below. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=200