The Date is set for Another Cork Harbour Open Weekend

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Simon Coveney T.D. joined organisers of Cork Harbour Open Weekend in the Royal Cork Yacht Club Crosshaven to officially announce the dates for the exciting harbour open weekend. The weekend event will take place on 14th & 15th September 2013 and once again organisers promise it to be an excellent weekend of fun for all the family with many events free to the public.

Organisers are particularly excited about the raft race organised by the scouts on the River Lee which no doubt will be a great spectacle from Cork City quays.

The open weekend is a great opportunity for people to see exactly what Cork Harbour has to offer, and this year will be no exception with the second largest natural harbour in the world playing host too many different activities.

While the programme of events is still coming together, organisers confirmed there will be an open day in the RCYC for anyone keen to try out sailing, a children?s crab fishing competition in Cobh, a free open day at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), a rowing race around Spike Island, an Air Sea Rescue Demonstration and family fun on Spike Island. An Irish Naval vessel will also be open to the public for free tours on both Saturday and Sunday in Cork City.

The idea for a Harbour Open Day, now extended to a full weekend, emerged from discussions between various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for the Harbour in 2007. This has been taken forward by the Harbour Management Focus Group (HMFG) which meets quarterly to exchange information on Harbour issues. A HMFG working group comprising representatives from UCC, City and County Councils and the Port of Cork set about working together to engage users of the Harbour and to organise the Open Day.

If anyone is interested in getting involved with Cork Harbour Open Weekend or would like to organise an event, please contact harbourevents@corkharbour.ie to request an event application form. Your event will be promoted on the lead up to the weekend via local media, CorkHarbour.ie website, twitter and facebook.

For more information on Cork Harbour Open Weekend visit www.corkharbour.ie or email harbourevents@corkharbour.ie for information.