Cork Harbour Festival returns this June 3-13 with over 50 amazing events

Looking forward to Cork Harbour Festival returning in just a little over two weeks time. June is Cork will be an action packed month for festivals and events.

Cork Harbour Fest is back on Leeside for an 11 day festival starting June 3rd with over 50 fantastic events throughout the city and beyond. The festivities highlight the county's rich maritime heritage and culture, as well as the many water-based activities available at around it. With something for every age group, there are so many things to see and do for free across the festival.

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On the Water Events:

Over the festival, there will be multiple boat tours taking in majestic sites like Roche’s Point Lighthouse and Spike Island.

Adventurers can also explore Cork City’s bridges by kayak or get an intro lesson in stand-up paddle boarding at the Lee Fields.

Family Events:

Kids can learn to make maritime Lego art at Crawford Art Gallery (Sat. 11th) , build model boats (Thurs. 9th), and even attend aerial dance workshops (Tues. 7th).

Environment:

From free film screenings (Sat. 11th) to water-side clean-ups (Mon. 6th), those who adore the environment can do their part to help mother nature this June. There is even an opportunity to forage for edible seaweed on the beaches (Mon. 6th)

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Talks:

Karen Weekes will be giving a talk in association with MTU at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory on June 9th discussing how she became the first Irish woman to row solo and unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean (Thurs. 9th).

In association with Civic & Community Engagement, UCC there will be a free online virtual seminar ‘Port Cities Seminar: Sport, Solidarity and Social Inclusion’ on June 7th (Tues. 7th). This will be a discussion with local and international partners on the role of sport in building solidarity and social inclusion in our cities.

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Arts:

Cobh based a-cappella buoy band The Mologoggers will perform both traditional and new sea shanties (Sat. 4th). While Hold Fast, an exhibition by Seán Hanrahan with Backwater Artists will take place in the former Punishment Block cells at Spike Island, exploring the history of maritime and prison tattoos (Fri. 3rd).

An exhibition by ceramicist and artist Bernadette Tuite will also be on show at MTU microGallery (Sat. 4th). As a former ship captain, Tuite's work has been strongly influenced by her explorations at sea into places accessible only by kayak.

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Heritage:

Councillor Kieran McCarthy will be providing two free walking tours looking at Cork’s rich and unique maritime heritage and history (Sat./Sun. 11th/12th). A city walking tour starting at the National Monument on Grand Parade, and a Blackrock walking tour starting at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory.

Historic locations like Camden Fort Meagher, Spike Island and Elizabeth Fort will also be open for visitors across the festival.

Many events are free to attend, but some require a booking in advance. To buy tickets, donate to the festival or just browse the brochure to see what's coming up, click here: https://corkharbourfestival.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXl_Q18S2sU