OCEAN TO CITY - CORK'S MARITIME FESTIVAL

1^ST – 10^TH JUNE 2013

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Ocean to City – Cork’s Maritime Festival is organised annually by Meitheal Mara, the community boatyard, training centre and charity located in the heart of Cork city. Meitheal Mara builds and repairs traditional curachs and wooden boats. Meitheal is Irish for a work group involving community and Mara is Irish for sea.  Ocean to City – An Ras Mor (The Big Race) is Meitheal Mara’s annual rowing event and is the highlight of the festival. Cork harbour is the beautiful location for the 15 nautical mile (28 km) rowing race.

I travelled to Cobh for Race Day - Saturday 8^th June. The race commenced at mid-day at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven.   Rowers were due to pass The Promenade in Cobh at 12.30pm approx.  The event is open to traditional and new types of fixed-seat rowing boats, ocean-type sliding seat rowing boats, canoes and kayaks.  Start times are staggered with the slowest boats leaving first.  The target for managing the race is to have all boats crossing the line within 4-5 hours of the first boat starting.

                             BANDSTAND ON THE PROMENADE IN COBH WITH VIEW OF THE SEA

On my arrival in Cobh at mid-day a festival atmosphere was already in evidence.  A band belted out pop songs from the band stand on The Promenade and families were gathering at the railings to gain an optimum view of the sea.  Gossamer ladies with parasols gathered to cheer on the rowers.  Cobh is very proud of its association with Titanic. There are various Titanic museums and festivals during the year and people of the town often dress in costumes from that era.  Titanic Experience Cobh is a visitor attraction situated in the original offices of The White Star Line.  The location marks the departure for the last 123 passengers who boarded the Titanic on its fateful maiden voyage.  

LADIES ON THE PROMENADE IN COBH

The boats started to appear on the horizon a little after 12.30pm.  Slowly a fleet appeared rowing steadily from Roches’s point towards Cobh.  Optimum weather conditions made it possible to see the boats at a distance as they made their approach.  People cheered and waved from every vantage point in Cobh as a myriad of boats, canoes and kayaks passed by.  Passengers waved from a leviathan cruise ship docked on one of the quays. 

                                                  ROWING PAST THE CRUISE SHIP 'MARINA' IN COBH

The boats continued their strenuous journey towards Cork city.  Rowing past other vantage points, Monkstown, Passage West, Little Island the boats finally reached the finish line at Lapp’s Quay in Cork city.  Participants included teams from around Europe including The Netherlands, Wales and Spain.  The winners, ‘Reparams’ from Base Nautica de Barcelona, Spain were greeted by huge crowds on the quays in Cork.  The prize giving ceremony took place on Lapp’s Quay at 6.30pm and a race after-party was held at The Port Bar. 

                               SOME OF THE CREWS ROWING IN CORK HARBOUR

 

The ten day festival included various activities.  River Lee Kayak expedition proved popular. Exploring Cork’s beautiful bridges and city quays, paddling along the Marina towards Blackrock Castle proved an unusual way to view the city.  Children enjoyed ‘Make a Model Boat Project’ and a maritime treasure hunt. ‘City to Ocean’ Cruise – Cork Harbour Tour travelled from Cork City to Crosshaven on  the Sunday after An Ras Mor.   This was the final activity of the festival and Cronin’s pub in Crosshaven was the destination with delicious food and drink served to hungry and thirsty mariners.  Ocean to City Festival showcases the beauty and splendour of Cork Harbour and following the ethos of Meitheal Mara includes many local communities working together to make this festival a world standard event.

                    LADIES WAITING FOR BOATS TO PASS THE PROMENADE IN COBH

 

       A ROWING CREW PASS A GALWAY HOOKER BOAT ON THE WAY TO CORK CITY