| Cuskinny, near Cobh will be bustling with activity from 1st December until Christmas this year. As Christmas approaches the North Pole is bursting at the seams and Santa’s Head Elf has been secretly looking around Cork for a private outpost to make sure the boys and girls of Cork get their toys in time for Christmas. He has also recruited a band of real Cork Elves to run the show. Secret undercover Elves operating Cobh Road Train will re-join their colleagues at the North Pole’s Cork Outpost in Cobh. Children of all ages have been invited by the Head Elf to visit the Cork Elves and Santa Claus for a fun and imaginative theatrical production at a secret location – Cuskinny Court, Cobh, from 1st December 2013. Boarding the Elf Express, visitors travel to a magical Elf hideaway where they will be greeted by the Cork Elves Sonia O’ Superfast, Christy Ring-a-Rosie, Jimmy Barry-Burpey and friends. The Cork North Pole Outpost Experience encourages families to take a magical journey back to a time where Christmas was about creating magical memories together. During the 90 minute experience, visitors will assist the Elves as they journey from trainee to fully certified toy maker, through toy making, gift giving and learning how to be a good elf. Children can learn the secret password to talk to the Elves, check to see if they are on the naughty or nice list and post letters to Santa at the Elf Post Office. Hot drinks and cookies fresh from Mrs Claus’s kitchen will be served to all visitors before going on to meet Santa Claus. The Cork North Pole Outpost Experience is a fun and imaginative theatrical production bringing to life the real values of a Cork good old fashioned Christmas. *** Santa Claus will make a special guest appearance in Cobh on Saturday 30th November when children can visit him in his grotto in Cobh Heritage Centre from 12 noon. After a children’s torch lit procession from Cobh Heritage Centre he will switch on Cobh’s Christmas lights at 5 pm and will then take a long nap in preparation for a busy few weeks at Cuskinny Court*** Related links for this article Keep up-to-date with the latest news from Cork’s only North Pole Outpost on Facebook For full details and to book tickets visit the Cork North Pole Outpost website |
| The Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter TD recently announced the appointment of Commodore Mark Mellett to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) of the Defence Forces with effect from 5 November 2013. The Cabinet approved the appointment. Speaking of the appointment Minister Shatter said “I wish Commodore Mellett every continued success and I know he will make a significant contribution to the Defence Forces in his new role as Deputy Chief of Staff (Support). I look forward to working closely with him in the future”. More about Commodore Mark Mellett Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) Commodore Mellett (DSM) is from Mayo and joined the Navy in 1976. His first Command was the LÉ ORLA in 1992 and he subsequently commanded the LÉ CIARA in 1997 and the Irish Naval Flagship LÉ EITHNE in 2005. Commodore Mellett has held a broad range of appointments in the Naval Headquarters and more recently as Commandant of the Naval College and Associate Head of the National Maritime College of Ireland. Prior to his appointment as Flag Officer in 2010 he was Officer Commanding Naval Operations Command. Operational Experience Besides citations for service in Afghanistan (2004) and Lebanon (1989), as Captain of LÉ ORLA (1994) he was honoured by becoming the Navy’s second officer recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) in recognition of the role of his ship in the detention of the drug smuggling yacht ‘Brime.’ Education Commodore Mellett has a PhD (2009) in Oceans Governance from the National University of Ireland, Galway and M Com (2004) in Government and Public Policy from University College Cork. He is a distinguished graduate of the US Naval War College Newport RI (1999) where he was the top graduate of the thirty two attending countries. He was also the top graduate in both the Irish Command and Staff College (1998) and the Royal Naval College Greenwich (1989). Related links for this article Defence Forces Press Release |
| Key Changes to Cork Week 2014 Preparations for Cork Week 2014 are well underway and the management team has been making plans for Ireland’s longest running and most prestigious regatta. The sailing grounds in Cork Harbour and the Atlantic approaches offer a fantastic variety of sailing and that will never change. However, Anthony O’Leary, Racing Chairman for Cork Week, explains that 2014 will see some changes aimed at substantially reducing cost. “Competitors can expect a variety of courses set in open water, coastal and in the harbour, which should test the crew handling and get just about every sail out of the bag. We are blessed with some superb sailing grounds and we are intent on making full use of them. The focus for Cork Week is the same as it has always been, great sailing and a fabulous atmosphere ashore. The Royal Cork Yacht Club has never shied away from listening to sailors and, when possible, changing Cork Week to suit their needs. The resounding message from sailors in 2012 was that the racing is fantastic and the shoreside ‘craic’ is as good as ever but a major concern has been cost. For Cork Week 2014, the organising committee has addressed areas, that we have control of, to reduce cost for every competing yacht. The 1720 Class has been having a renaissance in Ireland, there are 26 1720s in Cork alone and charter opportunities are available. Cork Week is also talking with other one design classes and we would be delighted to entertain discussions with many more class associations. The management team is also keen to encourage participation by charter companies and corporate entries and plans are in place to offer assistance. In 2012, we decided to allow professional sailors to race at Cork Week in any of the classes and that will continue. We don’t want to put up any barriers to people who want to come and enjoy some wonderful racing. Cork Week is striving to keep down costs for all competitors, right across the board. We realise the importance of this in the feedback we have received. However, we will make sure that the event is a memorable occasion. We want to continue to produce a unique experience and a memorable occasion for everyone that sails at Cork Week. The entry fee for Cork Week 2014 will also be reduced by 30%, compared to 2012 and the reduction in racing days and other measures will effectively reduce the overall cost of attending Cork Week by at least 20%. Entry for Cork Week 2014 can be made via the official website or by contacting the Regatta Office: 00 353 (0)21 4831179 Related links for this article Full RCYC Press Release Cork Week Website |
