Cork Harbour Festival 2022 Launches With Over 50 Diverse Events

The varied programme spans on-the-water activities, history, music, art, workshops, talks and walking tours, the environment, and family events. There is truly something for every age and activity level. Sing a sea shanty, view the sea on the moon, learn about marine life or try your hand at foraging for seaweed. Families and children can make a model boat, join a picnic, create Lego art or explore the harbour’s awe-inspiring forts.

Cork Harbour Festival highlights Cork’s rich maritime heritage and culture, as well as the harbour’s wealth of water-based activities, with the flagship Ocean to City- An Rás Mór at the heart of the celebrations.  Taking place at the gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork is perfectly positioned to deliver the largest harbour festival in Ireland.

Welcoming the launch of the festival, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan said, ‘Cork County Council is proud to be a major sponsor of Cork Harbour Festival, which honours and celebrates the unique maritime heritage that is synonymous with Cork. It is fantastic to see the festival return to full form this year following the challenges of the pandemic and we are delighted that our sponsorship of the event, with support from our Economic Development Fund, will help to sustain and grow the event. With festivals being such a key driver of economic growth, Cork Harbour Festival will be another welcome boost for tourism in County Cork.’

Lord Mayor of Cork City, Councillor Colm Kelleher, said: “Cork City Council are thrilled to be a supporter of this year’s Cork Harbour Festival. It is a wonderful event which highlights what’s best about our City, and Cork Harbour in particular, to both City dwellers and Tourists alike. This festival celebrates Cork’s connection with the water, its river and harbour, through both heritage and activities. I would encourage everyone take part in one of the 40 activities laid on”

Festival Manager, Joya Kuin says that: “In Cork, you don’t have to go far to find its maritime connections. Boasting one of the largest natural harbours in the world, maritime strands are interwoven with the fabric of the city’s marine landscapes and architecture, visual and performance arts, outdoor activities and conversations around environment and development. Cork Harbour Festival brings all these connections to the fore, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore and adventure, create, sing and play on land and on water.’’

Ocean to City - An Rás Mór, one of the harbour’s most thrilling events, is back after a two-year hiatus. On Saturday June 4th witness Ireland's premier rowing and paddling event and see hundreds of national and international participants race from Crosshaven to the finish line in Cork City. The flagship event will see everything from currachs, skiffs, longboats, kayaks, and paddle boards with many participants travelling from places like the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom to compete. There will be spectator vantage points along the harbour, including Cobh and Passage West, with entertainment and festivities both there and at the finish line. Participants can still sign up too with registration open at oceantocity.com.

Full programme is available at corkharbourfestival.com.