SeaFest, the largest free, family-friendly maritime celebration in Ireland, takes place in the Port of Cork, Cork City this weekend, from 7 – 9 June. It features a fantastic array of free events for all ages — free sailing, kayaking, vessel tours, opportunities to see marine creatures up close, and a variety of interactive sessions. There will also be a number of familiar faces — cooking demos from top celebrity chefs such as Neven Maguire, Martin Shanahan and Rory O’Connell; and a talk from Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann, Evelyn Cusack on our changing weather. There will be plenty of things to entertain your family and make this a weekend to remember!
Here are five top ideas to check out this weekend if you’re in Cork and fancy some sea-faring fun!
Kids Zone
Little hands will be kept busy with a host of fun, educational marine-themed activities in the brilliant Kids Zone. All activities are free. There’s no need to book, just come along on the day and join in the fun!
It features the Young Scientist Exhibition, sand art, marine workshops and more. No matter what the kids are into, there are plenty of activities to amaze and educate everyone!
Try Kayaking
If you fancy sampling an urban kayaking trip, Atlantic Sea Kayaking will be on hand. This promises to be a safe, enjoyable and memorable experience for all who join in. Get out onto the water with Ireland’s premier kayaking companies and celebrate our beautiful seas! Due to insurance restrictions, participants must be aged 8+.
View the first quarter moon with CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory
As part of the Cork Harbour Festival, CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory will be bringing astronomy to the city! Come check out the moon through their telescopes and chat with their resident astronomers. If you’ve never used a telescope before, this is the perfect opportunity. Sunday 4-6.
Check Out The Phoenix Tall Ship For Yourself
The Phoenix, one of the world’s most famous tall ships, will be at SeaFest all weekend. The 112 foot long twin masted Brigantine which carries 4,000 square feet of sail, has featured in various films, such as the Ridley Scott film “1492: Conquest of Paradise”.
Built in 1929, in Frederikshavn, Denmark, she began her working life as an evangelical Mission Schooner. Twenty years later she retired from missionary work and carried cargo until her engine room was damaged by fire. The Phoenix was purchased by Square Sail in 1987, who performed a first-aid over-haul and allowed her to return to the seas. Make sure you get to check her out while she’s here!
Shanty Flash Mob
Bringing a little surprise performance to the festival, The Molgoggers Cobh, an a-cappella group of eight men, will perform flash mobs across the day of sea shanties and maritime songs. Performances will take place in random locations across the city, so definitely keep your eyes peeled for some sea-shanty fun!
That’s just five of the events on – there are so, so many more that I can’t wait to check out for myself, and hopefully you’ll be the same! All details at www.seafest.ie, or check them out on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram.