Cove Sailing Club in Cork Harbour is holding the Ballinacurra Race this Saturday (24th July) in conjunction with the National 18 dinghy class.
The last race there was in 2019 but prior to that the 'Ballinacurra Cruising Club' would traditionally have an annual pilgrimage from Royal Cork in Crosshaven to 'Jacko's Bar'.
In part, the in-harbour cruise commemorated the fact that the Midleton pier was the final disembarkation point for the last commercial sailing ship in Cork Harbour.
The harbour channel for Ballinacurra is located near East Ferry but, say, harbour experts, it is slowly getting silted up and now limited to about five feet of draught.
Cove Sailing Club in Cork Harbour is holding the Ballinacurra Race to Midleton this Sat (24th July) in conjunction with the National 18 dinghy class. Photo: Bob Bateman
The channel to Ballinacurra is reportedly marked by plastic milk bottles and other similar buoyage.
Most boats venturing up that way go towards the top of the tide. But, say, locals, "you have to get out of it pretty sharpish or you can get caught".
The Cove Sailing Club race is an open event and Commodore Niall Hawes is keen to spread the news of the weekend fixture.
The start time is 3 pm near to the harbour's Spit Bank.
There are three classes; class 1, Class Two (dinghies) plus local Rankin dinghies.
The prizegiving will be held outside Jacko's.
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