The Spike Island Archaeological Project

An 8-episode video for UCC’s YouTube channel, documents this summer's archaeological dig

A fascinating archaeological project took place on Spike Island during the summer of 2013 under the direction of Dr. Barra O'Donnabhain from UCC’s Department of Archaeology, and the process was captured in an 8-episode video for UCC’s YouTube channel. 23 undergraduate students from UCC and from various universities in North America worked with the excavation director and four supervisors throughout the summer concentrating on the area known as the convict graveyard. The focus of the research is on the post famine era at the end of the 19th century between 1847 and 1883 when Spike was used as a convict prison. The project was established in 2012 with seed funding from the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences (CACSSS) at UCC and is operated with partnership with Cork County Council. The work during this past summer was funded by the Los Angeles-based Institute for Field Research (www.ifrglobal.org) with significant in-kind support from Cork County Council. Click on the link below to view first episode, Spike Island, Part 1, The Island Prison. Related links for this article  The first episode - Spike Island, The Island Prison

€2.5m for Spike Island

Spike could attract 300,000 visitors as a major tourist attraction in Cork Harbour

Fáilte Ireland has sanctioned funding of €2.5m for the Spike Island tourism project which will help deliver on the potential of the island as a major tourist destination. A recent report on Spike suggested that 300,000 visitors could be attracted to the island once some key infrastructure is in place. Cork County Council plan to spend significantly on Spike and an interpretive centre in Fort Mitchell is one of the first parts of the plan to be put in place. The funding from Failte Ireland will help the Council to realise Phase 1 of the recently compiled master plan for the island. Compiled by a team of experts, led by Scott Tallon Walker and destination specialists, CHL Consulting, the master plan details the magnificent opportunity to create a new 100 acre national park on the water, with the 40 acre Mitchel Fort at its centre, renovated and developed as a complex of cultural heritage attractions and museums. Minister Simon Coveney welcomed the announcement from Failte Ireland. "The plans for Spike Island are very ambitious. It will be a very significant marine tourism project and when you link what is going to happen in Spike with what is going to happen in Haulbowline, to what is happening in the National Maritime College, to what is happening in the naval base, where there will be two new ships next year, to what will hopefully be happening in Cobh with a new marina, you start to see really significant development around the harbour. Cork Harbour, in many ways, has so much more to offer to the local economy in terms of research, commercial activity, shipping, and also marine tourism.” He added, "The fort infrastructure [on Spike] is very much intact so it will attract a very large number of tourists and we need to put an infrastructure in place to ensure we can facilitate that. The money from Fáilte Island would allow the Spike Island development plan to move to the next phase.”

L.É. Emer Sold for €320,000

The recently decommissioned L.É. Emer was sold at auction.

The former Irish Naval Service vessel known as the L.É. Emer, was sold at auction in Carrigaline Co. Cork by Dominic Daly Auctioneers. Less than a month after her decommissioning service in Cork, she was sold to a Nigerian businessman for €320,000. London-based Cyprian Imobhio, chief executive and managing director of Uniglobe Group, bought the vessel, stripped of her armaments, for what he regarded as a good price. Mr. Imobhio plans to upgrade the 35 year old vessel in Cork before binging her to a dock in London. Mr. Imobhio said, “It’s a beautiful boat. Navies are very meticulous organisations and they always keep their equipment well maintained - it was quite well looked after for its age, but it’s still 35 years old, so there are a few things that need to be done - plus there are a few issues of classification.” He suggested that the ship might be used for protecting oil company infrastructure working in the Niger Delta. The L.É. Emer will be replaced next spring by the €50m L.É. Samuel Beckett, currently being constructed in Appledore, Devon.

Rebel Week concludes

Scenes from the Naval Festival during Cork Rebel Week. Photograph from Rebel Week website

Cork Rebel Week concluded on Monday 21st with the International Marching Bands and Naval Ships leaving Cork bringing this great Gathering event to a close. There were over 60 events during the festival and congratulations are due to the large numbers of people who turned out to support the event and to the countless volunteers. The Rebel Week website and Facebook have many excellent photograph’s including the spectacular events that took place on the Harbour. Check out the Rebel Week website and Facebook for more. Related links for this article  Conclusion of Rebel Week Rebel Week Facebook

MV Albatross Cruises Into The Port Of Cork For Final Call Of The Season

2013 was the busiest cruise season on record for the Port of Cork

2013 Sees Record Cruise Calls to Cork The Port of Cork welcomed MV Albatross, the final cruise liner of the 2013 season to Cobh following what the Port of Cork confirmed as the ‘busiest cruise season on record for Cork’. In total, 62 cruise liners called to the Port of Cork, home to Ireland’s only dedicated cruise berth, carrying a record 123,000 passengers and crew. These guaranteed visitors are a welcome treat for Cork, bringing a much needed boost to the local economy for eight months of the year. In 2013 eight liners made their maiden calls to the Port of Cork, highlighting the continuing growth of this business and the commitment from cruise companies to introduce new ships to the region. While some of these cruise calls stay overnight, many stay for a full day allowing their passengers ample time to enjoy the many exciting shore excursions on offer or simply time to experience Cork City and region independently. According to Irish Rail, statistics for the cruise season showed up to 28% of cruise passengers took the train from Cobh to Cork City. For all of the larger liners, Irish Rail offers extra trains to ensure passengers can get to Cork City without delay. This works well for passengers, with many deciding to take the train from Cobh to Cork in the morning and spend the afternoon in Cobh or take one of the ship’s shore excursions in the afternoon. It is imperative that passengers are offered a choice of shore excursions, both full and half day, so they tailor what is offered to suit them. The more choice there is for passengers the better, as this works in favour particularly for repeat passengers. It is well noted within the cruise industry that it is incumbent on all ports, destinations and shore tour operators to reinvent themselves occasionally, to attract both new and repeat passengers. The same must be done for Cork and the Port of Cork continues to work with City and County Councils, Irish Rail, Tour Operators and attractions to ensure Cork continues to meet the demand of cruise lines and their passengers. Speaking about the busiest cruise season on record for Cork, Mr John Mullins Chairman of the Port of Cork said: “This has been an excellent year for Cork and we have seen a huge jump in passenger numbers this year. This increase is down to the dedicated cruise berth and the number of calls of large cruise ships. For example Princess Cruise’s ship, MV Caribbean Princess called seven times this year, each time bringing over 4,000 passengers and crew to Cork. The fact that people can just walk on and off the ship to go shopping or touring increases the economic impact to the region. The passengers are offered the option of taking a tour and then come back on the ship to change before going out again on their own to do some shopping, eating or drinking and avoiding the repeated hassle of tendering or shuttle buses.” With these ambitious plans however, the Port of Cork cannot achieve them alone. Mr Mullins continued: “There are also a great amount of activities and attractions on offer in Cork and the region for cruise passengers, and we remain fully committed to increasing our calls from 62 this year to 80 in the next five years. To do this, we need the continued support of Irish Rail to offer more trains with added incentives, the tour operators need to design and offer new shore excursions at competitive prices and we need the continued support from both City and County councils to encourage the promotion of the region, so that everything Cork has to offer is utilised to its full potential.” Over the years, the Port of Cork has invested in the cruise business and this is something the Port is committed to continuing. As cruise ships get larger, cruise companies are searching the globe for suitable ports capable of handling such vessels. Cork has a huge advantage over other Irish ports in that it is a naturally deep-water port with no restrictions; however, Cork needs to enhance the facilities in Cobh to be able to handle even larger liners and to have the option of accommodating two liners at one time. Following this excellent cruise season, the Port of Cork would like to express their thanks to all their Cork Cruise members, Irish Rail, TEAM, tour operators, bus companies, travel agents and the many different attractions around the region for their continued support and cooperation with the cruise business. The Chairman thanked the board of directors at the port, management team and staff for realising the potential of this business for both the Port and the local economy, and their commitment to provide future infrastructure to support the business. Related links for this article  Port of Cork Website

Naval Festival for Cork Harbour 18th-20th October

Irish naval vessels will take part in a spectacular naval fleet review in the Lower Harbour.

As part of the Rebel Week festivities, Cork Harbour will be the centre of attention between the on Friday 18th October. This is when the International Naval Festival begins with visiting naval vessels taking part in a spectacular naval fleet review in the Lower Harbour. The review will be observed onboard the L.E Eithne by Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter T.D. 11 naval ships will be taking part including ships from Britain, Russia, France and Belgium. The public are being encouraged to come along, and private boats are welcome to observe the occasion from both the harbourside and on the water. Vessels will be anchored in Cork and in Cobh and most will be open to the public throughout the weekend. Iarnrod Eireann are offering special discounts for people travelling to see the ships. See the Rebel Week website and Facebook Pages for more. Related links for this article  Cork Rebel Week website Rebel Week Facebook

Contract signing for Camden Fort Meagher Sewerage Scheme

Contract signing for Camden Fort Meagher Sewerage Scheme - Pictured (seated from left); Ger Power, Head of Economic Development; Gerard Griffin, Managing Director Griffin Bros. Contracting; Martin Riordan, County Manager and Cllr Noel O'Connor, Mayor of County Cork; (standing from left); Paul Brierly Crosshaven Tourism; Aileen O'Donovan, CCC and Noel O'Driscoll, CCC

Work commences on modern and efficient sewerage network throughout the Fort which will facilitate the ongoing upgrade of the Fort. The contract for Camden Fort Meagher Sewerage Scheme, costing €250,000, has been awarded to Griffin Bros Contracting Ltd., Castleisland, Co Kerry and Consulting Engineers MHL & Associates, Douglas Road, Cork. Cork County Council are owners of the Fort which comprises of approximately 50 acres on which is situated the former British Military Fort, which was handed over to the Irish State in 1938. The Fort was then a base for the Irish Military and Navy up to 1989 and was handed over to Cork County Council by the Department of Defence in the early 1990s. The Fort is currently undergoing a programme of restoration in a partnership with the Crosshaven Community Association and significant investment in same has been provided by Cork County Council. It is planned to restore the Fort as an iconic tourism destination as part of a larger Harbour tourism product. Ger Power, Head of Economic Development said "Cork County Council is now investing a further €250,000 to provide a modern and efficient Sewerage network throughout the Fort, which will facilitate the ongoing upgrade of the Fort and in time even greater public access to a world class product".

EMC EMEA Big Data Division Director challenges Ireland to become global maritime leader

Some of the large crowd gathered in the NMCI yesterday for the IMERC conference

A huge crowd of 130 people arrived at the National Maritime College of Ireland for the Annual IMERC Conference on 7th October to discuss how disruptive innovation can help Ireland realise its ocean potential. A disruptive innovation is an innovation which disrupts, improves and replaces an existing product, process approach or idea over time in unexpected ways. IMERC, the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster, is a partnership between University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology and the Irish Naval Services. The government aims to increase turnover from the sea to €6.4 billion by 2030. Chris Roche, the CTO of EMC EMEA, challenged the gathering to make the leap to disruptive innovation. He said ‘It is fantastic to see a cluster around such an obvious potential benefit to the country. The major question is if IMERC will move at enough speed and really embrace disruptive innovation?’ Mr Roche pointed out that Ireland is not among the top ten countries with the longest coastline in the world, nor is it among the largest Maritime and Energy clusters. To be successful Ireland will have to be innovative in its approach to building networks and take advantage of big data in the maritime sector. Ireland has the largest maritime to land mass area in the EU and is the third largest territory in the EU when its seabed is included. The maritime sector has huge growth possibilities for the Irish economy. Dallas Meggitt CEO of Sound and Sea Technology also spoke at the conference. Last week Sound and Sea Technology announced the creation of 55 new jobs to be located on the IMERC campus. This conference made tangible contribution to the realisation of Ireland’s ocean potential by bringing together speakers and guests from North America and Europe from a range of backgrounds including industry, government and academia to discuss the role disruptive innovation can play in driving this sector. IMERC is already making a big contribution to this sector with advanced plans for the development of a research and commercial campus in Ringaskiddy. Related links for this article  IMERC website