‘Cobh Calls’ is the Name of the Game for Cobh’s Festivals & Events!

A brand new pilot initiative is being launched this week, which will see all of Cobh’s festivals and events pulling together to help each other out, under a collective joint banner ‘Cobh Calls’.

Cobh comes alive every summer with music and song, entertainment and fun for all the family with many festive events taking place. Under the auspices of SECAD, this pilot scheme is being launched to bring existing tourism related events together to support each other in whatever practical way possible. Much like the Cork Midsummer Festival, this will be through co-promotion and a reduction of their existing promotional costs, such as fliers.

The initiative is being coordinated by Kathleen Geary, CEO Cobh & Harbour Chamber of Commerce, and the promotional aspects are being project managed by Margot Mulcahy. President of the Cobh and Harbour Chamber, Michael Martin, noted. “There is always something going on in Cobh to entertain you, with several annual festivals, plus 54 cruise liner visits this year alone! All our major events include Farmers Markets, musical entertainment and family fun. Added to that is all the rest that Cobh has to offer. We have ongoing carillon recitals at St Colman’s Cathedral, galleries and exhibitions to browse through, history to be explored, activities such as sailing, golf, boat trips and walking tours - plus the best food and Irish craic to be found anywhere!”

A broader aspect of this SCEAD project is to directly increase the number of local businesses, particularly local food and crafts, participating in these events and promoting their products on the streets. Local businessman, Peter Kidney, has had a major role to play in bringing local artisans to all of Cobh’s festive events with a fine selection of local foods and craft stalls.

Cobh Calls includes the Cobh Peoples Regatta on 14th to 16th August – the oldest and best regatta in Ireland; the Summer Swing Series of free musical entertainment on the promenade on the 30th Aug and 5th September; Australia Day on August 23rd – where Cobh welcome the Dawn Princess all the way from Down Under; the Cobh Blues Experience from September 25th to 27th - when Cobh comes alive to the rhythm of the blues, and the Cobh International Deep Sea Angling Festival 31st August – 4th September.

Many events have already place in the town this season, particularly the “Summer Swing Series,” which features over 22 free concerts performed on the beautifully restored bandstand in Kennedy Park. The Cobh Peoples Regatta will also take place shortly from the 14th to 16th August. However, this collective initiative is seen as a first step to taking a positive stand in working together for the future promotion of festivals and events plus food and craft businessess in the town.

The 2009 Cobh Calls scheme will see a collective promotional mini booklet plus a new web site, www.cobhcalls.com , which will go live shortly. The web site will give full details of all festivals and events taking place in the town. A blogspot for Cobh Calls has also been set up for updates on events http://cobhcalls.blogspot.com
ENDS

For further information, contact Margot Mulcahy 086 8045468 margotmulcahy@gmail.com