Cork Week 2014 Announcement

Images from Cork Week. Picture: RCYC website

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

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