Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Weymouth London 2012

#EXCURSIONS – A series of day-long round trip excursion cruises, offering unusual routes from Northern Ireland to destinations in Scotland and the Isle of Man are to start before and during this weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The excursions are running this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (7-9 September) and are operated by Glasgow based Waverley Excursions which will be running their classic Balmoral (1949/736grt) on the following dates and ports, for details see further down below.

Commenting on Balmoral's forthcoming excursions Captain Andy O'Brian said: "There is no better way to spend the day than relaxing on deck and watching the spectacular scenery slip by. We look forward to welcoming our regular passengers from Northern Ireland and hope to see some new faces."

Balmoral is a former Isle of Wight ferry and Bristol Channel excursion vessel now in her 63rd year and she can carry 150 people. Facilities include an Art Deco restaurant offering a buffet style menu. The Lower Bar also designed in 1930's Art Deco style, serves hot and cold snacks too and sandwiches, while the Britannia Lounge Bar has windows running down either side for added sightseeing opportunities.

Balmoral's Excursions Schedule

Friday 7 September: Sail from Ballycastle and Redbay to Campbeltown (Mull of Kintyre) and  take in the views of the famous peninsula and Sanda Isles, where the excursion schedule allows for an afternoon visit ashore.

Saturday 8 September: Sail from Londonderry / Derry to the spectacular scenery of Islay in Scotland's Western Isles, and where an afternoon can be spent ashore in Port Ellen.

Sunday 9 September: Sail from Portaferry you can visit the Isle of Man, with another unusual route opportunity by visiting Peel, situated on the west coast of the island. Again the excursion permits an afternoon ashore in the charming coastal town.

Children under five travel free and ages 5 - 17 travel at half the adult fare. A discount of 10% for groups of 10 or more is on offer from the operator. For further details including a brochure or to book tickets call 0845 130 4647. Alternatively tickets can be purchased from Tourist Information Centres in Ards, Larne and Portaferry and online www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/north.htm

Balmoral as previously reported on Afloat.ie, is a veteran of coastal excursions and in Weymouth, she took spectators  to watch the sailing events during the London 2012 Olympics.

Published in Coastal Notes

Cork Harbour Information

It’s one of the largest natural harbours in the world – and those living near Cork Harbour insist that it’s also one of the most interesting.

This was the last port of call for the most famous liner in history, the Titanic, but it has been transformed into a centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

The harbour has been a working port and a strategic defensive hub for centuries, and it has been one of Ireland's major employment hubs since the early 1900s. Traditional heavy industries have waned since the late 20th century, with the likes of the closure of Irish Steel in Haulbowline and shipbuilding at Verolme. It still has major and strategic significance in energy generation, shipping and refining.

Giraffe wander along its shores, from which tens of thousands of men and women left Ireland, most of them never to return. The harbour is home to the oldest yacht club in the world, and to the Irish Navy. 

This deep waterway has also become a vital cog in the Irish economy.

‘Afloat.ie's Cork Harbour page’ is not a history page, nor is it a news focus. It’s simply an exploration of this famous waterway, its colour and its characters.

Cork Harbour Festival

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór and Cork Harbour Open Day formerly existed as two popular one-day events located at different points on Cork’s annual maritime calendar. Both event committees recognised the synergy between the two events and began to work together and share resources. In 2015, Cork Harbour Festival was launched. The festival was shaped on the open day principle, with Ocean to City – An Ras Mór as the flagship event.

Now in its sixth year, the festival has grown from strength to strength. Although the physical 2020 festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, the event normally features nine festival days starting on the first week of June. It is packed full of events; all made possible through collaboration with over 50 different event partners in Cork City, as well as 15 towns and villages along Cork Harbour. The programme grows year by year and highlights Ireland’s rich maritime heritage and culture as well as water and shore-based activities, with Ocean to City – An Rás Mór at the heart of the festival.

Taking place at the centre of Ireland’s maritime paradise, and at the gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork is perfectly positioned to deliver the largest and most engaging harbour festival in Ireland.

The Cork Harbour Festival Committee includes representatives from Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Port of Cork, UCC MaREI, RCYC, Cobh & Harbour Chamber and Meitheal Mara.

Marinas in Cork Harbour

There are six marinas in Cork Harbour. Three in Crosshaven, one in East Ferry, one in Monkstown Bay and a new facility is opening in 2020 at Cobh. Details below

Port of Cork City Marina

Location – Cork City
Contact – Harbour Masters Dept., Port of Cork Tel: +353 (0)21 4273125 or +353 (0)21 4530466 (out of office hours)

Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831023

Crosshaven Boatyard Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4831161

Salve Marina Ltd

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831145

Cork Harbour Marina

Location: Monkstown, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)87 3669009

East Ferry Marina

Location: East Ferry, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4813390

New Cove Sailing Club Marina

(to be opened in 2020)

Location: Cobh, Co. Cork
Contact: 087 1178363

Cork Harbour pontoons, slipways and ramps

Cork City Boardwalk Existing pontoon

Port of Cork 100m. pontoon

Cork city – End of Cornmarket St. steps and slip;

Cork city - Proby’s Qy. Existing limited access slip

Quays Bar & Restaurant, Private pontoon and ramp for patrons, suitable for yachts, small craft town and amenities

Cobh harbour [camber] Slip and steps inside quay wall pontoon

Fota (zoo, house, gardens) Derelict pontoon and steps

Haulbowline naval basin; restricted space Naval base; restricted access;

Spike Island pier, steps; slip, pontoon and ramp

Monkstown wooden pier and steps;

Crosshaven town pier, with pontoon & steps

East Ferry Marlogue marina, Slip (Great Island side) visitors’ berths

East Ferry Existing pier and slip; restricted space East Ferry Inn (pub)
(Mainland side)

Blackrock pier and slips

Ballinacurra Quay walls (private)

Aghada pier and slip, pontoon & steps public transport links

Whitegate Slip

Passage West Pontoon

Glenbrook Cross-river ferry

Ringaskiddy Parking with slip and pontoon Ferry terminal; village 1km.

Carrigaloe pier and slip; restricted space; Cross-river ferry;

Fountainstown Slip

White’s Bay beach

Ringabella beach

Glanmire Bridge and tide restrictions

Old Glanmire - Quay