The first boats have begun arriving in Crosshaven ahead of this weekend's Crosshaven Traditional Sail Festival, with favourable weather forecasts adding to expectations of a busy and colourful gathering in Cork Harbour.
Classic sailing craft were berthed along Hugh Coveney Pier on Friday evening as crews completed registration and preparations for the annual celebration of Ireland's traditional maritime heritage.
The festival officially gets underway with boats arriving throughout Friday, followed by registration on the pier.
Saturday's programme opens with the Crosshaven RNLI Sea Service at Holy Trinity Church. A parade to the waterfront follows before the traditional Blessing of the Boats at Hugh Coveney Pier.
Participants will then gather for a skipper briefing before setting out for a cruise in company around Cork Harbour from the vicinity of Cage Buoy near Fort Camden.
The festival continues on Sunday with a community breakfast on the pier in aid of Crosshaven Sea Scouts, followed by a second harbour cruise and the weekend prizegiving ceremony.
The event brings together an eclectic fleet of traditional vessels ranging from restored classics to locally built craft, offering spectators a rare opportunity to see working examples of Ireland's maritime heritage afloat.
With sunshine and light winds forecast for the weekend, organisers are expecting strong attendance both on the water and ashore.
As Afloat previously reported, the festival has become a popular fixture on the maritime calendar, combining sailing, heritage and community activities in one of Ireland's best-known sailing centres.
Music and entertainment are also planned throughout the weekend, with organisers promising plenty of "ceol agus craic" in the village pubs after racing and cruising conclude each day.
