Displaying items by tag: Cork Harbour
MV Queen Elizabeth Makes Maiden Call to the Port of Cork
The luxurious ocean liner, MV Queen Elizabeth will make her maiden call to Cobh tomorrow morning arriving at 9am and bringing with her over 3,000 passengers and crew. With a gross tonnage of 90,900 GRT and a guest capacity of 2,068 and 996 crew, MV Queen Elizabeth is the newest Cunarder to join the fleet.
To coincide with her maiden call, the Port of Cork together with Cunard will hold a Lusitania Memorial Service in the centre of Cobh town. Led by Captain Christopher Wells, this service will be attended by the Chairman of the Port of Cork, Port of Cork Directors, Mayor of the Town of Cobh, the County Mayor and the Lord Mayor. A number of other key figures have also been invited.
Cunard have a great history of calling to the Port of Cork and over the years all of Cunard’s liners have made a visit to Cobh. This year is the first year to welcome all three queens; Queen Mary II, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth to Cobh. In 2009, MV Queen Elizabeth II made her final call to Cobh before departing for Dubai where she was to become a floating hotel.
The following will be read at the Lusitania Memorial Service, by Captain Michael McCarthy Port of Cork;
The sinking of the Lusitania on 7th May 1915 was a human catastrophe on a scale that this small town had not experienced before or since.
When the Lusitania left New York there were 1,962 people on board, 694 crew,1,265 passengers and 3 stowaways. Only 764 people survived – 474 passengers and 290 crew. Over 800 of the victim’s bodies were never found. The bodies landed in Cobh were buried in 3 mass graves in the “Old Church Cemetary”.
The People in Queenstown, Cobh, witnessed the trauma, tragedy and heartbreak that ensued. The dead, the injured and the bereaved were brought among a community here that mobilised itself and responded with courage and compassion to their needs. One of the survivors, Charles Lauriat, later referred in his book “The Lusitania’s Last Voyage” to the streets filled with people ready to do anything in their power to relieve our sufferings. He said he had never seen anything more spontaneous or genuine or more freely given than the Irish hospitality of Queenstown.
This memorial reflects the eternal connection between Cobh, the” Lusitania” and Cunard, and is a stark reminder of the tragedy of war.
It is fitting that today Captain Christopher Wells of Cunard’s vessel “Queen Elizabeth” should be here together with the Mayor and people of Cobh to reflect on the great loss and the human tragedy of the “Lusitania”.
Queen Elizabeth: 73 years ago, Cunard’s first “Queen Elizabeth” entered service. The launching of that ship was described as “the inception of a great human enterprise, an act of faith”. Could they have imagined the design and capability of the current vessel berthed at the Cobh Cruise Berth?
In October 2008, Cunard announced the building of this magnificent vessel at an estimated cost of €500 million euros, and within 2 years the naming ceremony was carried out in Southampton by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11,. The vessel departed on her Maiden voyage under the command of Captain Chris Wells on the 12th October 2010 .She has already completed a World voyage, transited the Suez and Panama Canals and crossed the World’s Oceans.
Captain Wells has already served a long and distinguished career in the Merchant Navy and following many years in command, was in 2008 appointed Master of the Queen Mary 2, the same year the QE2 was retired from the Cunard Fleet. He was subsequently appointed the first Master of the Queen Elizabeth in 2009
Road, Rail or ‘Sail’ to Cobh
There's also the option of departing Cork-city centre to Cobh by taking an excursion on the River Lee on the passenger-tender Spirit of the Isles. Sailings depart the city's Penrose Quay, which is on the same side to the railway (Kent) station.
Sailings will operate this Saturday and Sunday and for the remaining weekends throughout September. The boat's Saturday schedule departs the city at 11am and arrives at Cobh's Kennedy Quay at 12.15pm.
In addition there is a Lower harbour tour off Cobh on Saturdays and Sundays, departing Kennedy Pier, Cobh - 12.30pm and returning to Kennedy Pier at 1.45pm. The boat then departs Cobh at 2pm to return to Cork with an arrival time of 3.15pm. For both this Saturday and Sunday sailing schedules, fares and further information go to www.corkharbourcruises.com
In the late 1980's the Spirit of the Isles then named Ingot operated excursions for several seasons from Dun Laoghaire's East Pier to Dalkey Sound and Killiney Bay.
Returning to the third annual Cork Harbour Open Day there will also be a free shuttle-service running in the lower harbour calling at Ringaskiddy, Monkstown, Cobh, Aghada and Crosshaven. The fast-ferry RIB operator 'Whale of a Time' is providing the free service which is sponsored by the Port of Cork Company and National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI). For further information visit http://www.whaleofatime.net/Home.html
- Dun Laoghaire
- Cork Harbour
- port of Cork
- Cruise Liners
- River Lee
- Cork Harbour Open Day
- NMCI
- Cobh Cruise Terminal
- National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI)
- Ports and Shipping News
- Cork Harbour News
- Irish Rail
- Port of Cork Company
- Cunard Line
- Queen Elizabeth
- Whale of a Time
- Cruise Liner news
- Dalkey Sound
- Cruise ship news
- Midelton Food & Drink Festival
- Ingot
- Killiney Bay
- Irish passenger excursion vessels
- Cork Harbour Cruises
- CorkCobh
- Cork (Kent) station
- Spirit of the Isles
Roisin Returns from Russia
In addition the OPV delivered medical supplies on her visit to Riga, the Latvian capital, where the cargo was transported in aid of the Chernobyl Children's Project based in Belarus.
100 Boats Expected for Saturday's Cobh to Blackrock Yacht Race
This historic race – sponsored by the Port of Cork – will again feature strongly as one of the biggest events supporting this years Cork Harbour Open Day
Starting at midday off Cobh Promenade the race will continue along its traditional route passing Ringaskiddy, Monkstown, Passage, across Loch Mahon and along to the finish at Blackrock Castle.
All boats are then invited to continue up to the City Quays where complimentary berthing will be provided by the Port of Cork at the Cork City Marina.
A barbecue and usual refreshments will be available at the Boardwalk Restaurant (just opposite the City Pontoon) along Lapps Quay. The prize-giving will take place during the afternoon at the Boardwalk. Crews, their families and friends will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy themselves as we wind up the CSC laptop (and operators) to collate the dozens of times across all manner of classes in to a meaningful set of results.
The club would appreciate it if competitors would come along to support the after race festivities and prize-giving, especially if you think you may have won something. As always, the race is free to enter and a collection will be held for the RNLI during the afternoon.
An exotic weekend in Dun Laoghaire with the start of an Olympic class keelboat event plus the arrival of a Volvo 70 into the harbour but Irish weather meant all did not go to plan. Click our links for a round up of the weekend's sailing events from around the country: Mansfield Wins 1720 Euros in Baltimore, Squall Puts Paid to First Race of Star Europeans in Dun Laoghaire, West Kirby Teams Top ISAF Worlds in Schull, Johnston's Beneteau 31.7 is Good Prospect, Killyleagh Pair Scoop Flying Fifteen East Coast Cup, Lively Lady Sails to Victory in Fickle ISORA Race to Rockabill, SB3 Team Sanya Welcome Scuppered by Strong Winds. We'll have more reports later this morning from the J24 Easterns in Howth, the National 18 season in Cork and J80 Match racing.
Powerboat Racing's 'America's Cup' Returns to Cork
Plans are afoot to bring powerboat racing's Harmsworth Trophy event to Cork in 2014 - over 100 years since Cork Harbour hosted the first ever edition of the race. SCROLL DOWN FOR ARCHIVE Footage.
Regarded as the powerboat version of yachting's America's Cup, the first Harmsworth Trophy was won in July 1903 by Napier, which was allegedly piloted by women's world land speed record holder Dorothy Lewitt.
According to the Tom MacSweeney column in the Evening Echo, a consortium is hard at work to bring the race back to its birthplace - coinciding with the Round Ireland Powerboat Race, which will also be held out of Cork in 2014.
Denis Dillon of the Irish Sailing Association commented: "There is a group of Cork enthusiasts interested and is trying to put a consortium together that would also bring back one of the original 1903 boats still is existance which is in the USA.
"It came first in its class and second overall in the race in 1903 and they hope to bring it back for the 2014 race."
Countdown to Cork Harbour Open Day
This will be the third Cork Harbour Day which is to cover a wide range of events, such as concerts on Spike Island, a photographic exhibition in Camden Fort, guided tours of an Irish naval ship at Cork City Quays and an open day at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI).
In addition Fastnet Line's ferry Julia will be open for the public to board. The 22,161 gross tonnes serves the Cork-Swansea route and for the Open Day she will be berthed at Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth instead of the nearby ferry terminal. To read details of Open day programme visit www.corkharbour.ie and updates click HERE.
The concept for the Harbour Open Day emerged three years ago, which combined various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for Cork Harbour. A group comprising of representatives from UCC, City and County Councils, the Naval Service and the Port of Cork set about working together to engage with users of the harbour and to organise the Open Day.
Cork Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, next to Sydney Harbour, offering beautiful locations for enjoying the outdoors, dramatic coastlines, and excellent leisure facilities, and is home to some very talented artists, sportsmen and women, and people who are passionate about the history, heritage and cultural value of Cork Harbour.
- Spike Island
- Cobh
- Cork Harbour
- naval service
- National Maritime College of Ireland
- port of Cork
- Cruise Liners
- Cork Harbour Open Day
- NMCI
- Ports and Shipping
- Cobh Cruise Terminal
- Cork Harbour News
- Cunard Line
- Queen Elizabeth
- Cruise ships
- Cork City Quays
- Camden Fort
- Port of Cork Company
- Ringaskiddy Deepwater Terminal
Queen’s Namesake to Retrace Royal Visit
The 90,901 gross registered tonnes cruise ship is to depart her Hampshire homeport, where she is to similarly follow the monarch in that she is scheduled to make a port of call to Dublin first on 9 September and make a call to Cork afterwards.
With a length of 295m / 965-feet the vessel will dock in the centre of the capital port before she sails overnight to make a morning arrival at Cobh, the dedicated cruise terminal for the Port of Cork. She is scheduled to stay at the Cork Harbour town formerly named Queenstown until a 17.00 hour departure.
Her visit coincides with Cork Harbour Open Day, where visitors can view the impressive vessel from the quayside, for more details visit www.corkharbour.ie
Incidentally her near-sister Queen Victoria also called to Dublin in May and the remaining vessel of the Cunard fleet, the 'flagship' liner Queen Mary 2 is also to dock in Cobh three days later after Queen Elisabeth's visit.
- Cobh
- Cork Harbour
- port of Cork
- Cruise Liners
- Cork Harbour Open Day
- Ports and Shipping
- Cobh Cruise Terminal
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Cork Harbour News
- Port of Cork Company
- Cunard Line
- queen victoria
- Port of Cork News
- Queen Elizabeth
- Queen Mary 2
- QM2
- Cruise Liner news
- TransAtlantic Liners
- Cruise ships
- Irish cruiseship calls
- Queen's visit to Ireland
- QV
- QE
- Cunarders
- Cobh Cunarders
- Cobh cruise calls
- Cunard liners
- Cunard cruiseships
- Royal visit to Ireland
- Cobh cruise liners list
Costa 'Del' Cork
To get a better understanding of the extensive facilities available on board for the 2,826 passengers, why not have a gawk using the Multi-Media Centre page by clicking HERE (noting when done then click 'Pictures and Movies'). From here you can enter the world of life-on board (with video presentations by scrolling down) for the aromatic thermal baths, the shops gallery, the Japanese tea room, Cinema Etoiles, the Samsara Spa or have a look of an ocean view category cabin.
Of the 1,130 cabins in total, 52 have direct access to the Samsara Spa, 662 with private balcony, 106 suites with private balcony and 4 suites also have direct access to the Samsara Spa. To read more about the ship which also features a thalassotherapy, treatment rooms, sauna, turkish bath and an UVA-ray solarium click HERE.
Garvey and Darrer Win Cork Harbour Race
Results Summary:
1st in White Sail IRC Seamus Gilroy's Dufour 34 "Split Point"
1st in White Sail Echo Seamus Gilroy's Dufour 34 "Split Point"
1st in Class 3 IRC Paul Murray's Impala 28 "Prometheus"
1st in Class 3 Echo Paul Murray's Impala 28 "Prometheus"
1st in Class 2 IRC Ted Crosbie's X302 MK2 "No Excuse"
1st in Class 2 Echo Mark Mendell's Sun Fast 32 "Wicked"
1st in Class 1 IRC Colman Garvey & Martin Darrer's Projection 35 "True Penance"
1st in Class 1 Echo Colman Garvey & Martin Darrer's Projection 35 "True Penance"