#CORK HARBOUR - Due to the success of previous years’ festivals, Cork Harbour Open Day has now been expanded to a two-day Open Weekend for 2012, with activities for all ages taking place on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September.  

The open weekend is a great opportunity for people to see exactly what Cork Harbour has to offer, and this year is no exception with the second largest natural harbour in the world playing host to the annual Cobh-to-Blackrock sailing race, kayaking on the River Lee and crab fishing in Cobh, while in Cork city the Naval Service vessel LE Ciara will be open to the public for free tours on both the Saturday and Sunday.  

Visitors to Ringaskiddy over the weekend will be given the opportunity to go on a free guided tour around the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) and see its panoramic bridge ship simulators, the survival pool and the marine workshops.  

Also running in the NMCI will be free screenings of finalist entries of 8 Minutes: The Ford Short Film Competition. Part of the Titanic 100 event, the competition saw hundreds of entries from film-makers across Ireland who submitted short films of eight minutes in length based on a Titanic theme. All 12 finalists’ entries will be screened over the weekend.  

To celebrate Cork Harbour Open Weekend, Spike Island is offering a family day out on the Island with live music, children’s entertainers and an opportunity to walk on the recently completed walking trail around the perimeter of Fort Mitchell with stunning views of Cork Harbour. Military exhibitions will also be on display. Visitors to the island are being encouraged to bring their own picnic. Guided Walking Tours of Fort Mitchell are also available at a 50% discount of the normal rate over the weekend. Boat rides will operate from Kennedy Pier in Cobh to the Island.  

In Crosshaven, Camden Fort Meagher will be hosting military re-enactments on both days. On Sunday a family day will be held featuring children’s entertainers, a fancy dress competition and live music.  

In Cobh, there will be crab fishing at the promenade from 3pm–5pm on the Saturday while Sunday will see a ‘Life Along the Seashore’ walk at 3pm. Also in Cobh on both Saturday and Sunday will be the ‘Great Island, Great Harbour, Great Ships, Great Puzzle’ treasure hunt.  

Blackrock Castle Observatory will present its theatrical tours on Saturday and Sunday, bringing the colourful story of the castle to life from 400 years ago to present day. It’s a great venue for all the family and a superb location to watch the Cobh-to-Blackrock sailing race as the yachts head up the river.  

Also taking place on the Saturday is the Emergency, Voluntary and Statutory Services Exhibition which will see demonstrations and drills showcasing the best of the emergency services. Organisers will simulate crash scenes, perform fire-fighting displays, take to the River Lee in sea riders to perform RIB displays and mount a simulated rescue operation in which rescue personnel will abseil from buildings.  

Aimed at embracing all that Cork Harbour has to offer, the Cork Harbour Open Weekend aims to raise awareness of the different activities available for people in the harbour both on and off the water. It’s a great day for all the family with many events free to everyone.  

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. The 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.    

For more information on Cork Harbour Open Weekend and to view the full programme of events visit www.corkharbour.ie.