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