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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Events on Spike Island this summer

These are some evetns taking place on Spike Island this July , August and September

Australia Day in Cobh this Sunday, 24th July

 
Australia Day in Cobh:
Come and experience Down Under Right here in Cobh!
On 24th July - for one day only, Cobh transforms into an authentic mingling of Irish and Australian cultures as 1500 Australians step ashore from the Cruise liner Dawn Princess. The liner berths right in the centre of the Cork Harbour town as it continues its 105 day World cruise that started in Sydney on 25th May!
Cobh (formerly Queenstown) is a heritage town rich in maritime and emigration history. Throughout the course of its history, Cobh has seen 2.5m people leave Ireland through its port and has been visited and maintains a strong connection with the most famous ships in the world, past and present including the RMS Titanic, RMS Lusitania and the Queen Victoria.

It is however the transportation of convicts from Ireland to Australia that inextricably links Cobh and Australia. Between 1791 and 1853 approximately 26,500 Irish people were transported to Australia, many for trivial offences. Many were incarcerated on Spike Island in Cork Harbour while awaiting transportation and visitors to Cobh now have the opportunity to take a guided walking tour of the famous Spike Island. Following the end of transportation there followed the planned migration of Irish people to Australia, many of whom became prosperous.

It’s been over 150 years since a shipload of people left Ireland for Australia and this is only the second time ever that Australia has sent a shipload back!

Following the resounding success of Australia Day in Cobh in 2009 when the Dawn Princess arrived for the first time in Cobh on the first ever World circumnavigation from Sydney to Sydney, See You in Cobh and Cobh Tourism have decided to once again organise this marvellous and unique homecoming. The visitors from down under and the people of Cobh and Cork will enjoy together a day of welcoming events and festivities.

The day’s festivities include the sizzle of barbecues and incredibly delectable food stalls, masterly crafted local arts and crafts, traditional music that will have locals and visitors alike tapping their feet, Irish Dancing displays, an air sea helicopter rescue display with the Waterford based Coastguard helicopter and a performance by the Band of 1 Southern Brigade. Fascinating window displays in the town’s shops will depict life in Australia. Will, as in 2009, the Sydney Opera House, Ayer’s Rock and the Sydney Harbour Bridge appear to be “For Sale” in the Real Estate Agents windows?

The Mayor of Cobh, Councillor Jim Quinlan will welcome the Australian Ambassador Mr. Bruce Davies who will officiate at the Blessing of the Bonnets ceremony. ‘Roses from the Heart’ is a unique memorial to the 25,566 convict women transported to Australia from Ireland and Britain from 1788 to 1853. On Australia Day in Cobh this very unique and special event will take place at Cobh Heritage Centre at 12 noon to commemorate these women. Roses from the Heart is the concept of Christina Henri, an artist at The University Of Tasmania. The project involves the making of a bonnet , similar to that worn at the time, to commemorate the life and contribution each of the transported women made towards the founding of a new nation. Already 15000 of these bonnets have been contributed from all parts of the world, many from the descendants of those originally transported.

To round off the day the Cobh Confraternity Band will play on the quayside as the Dawn Princess sails for Bermuda to continue its 104 night odyssey around the World. Will the traditional “Anchors Aweigh” be replaced by “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport” as 1500 happy Australians are given a traditional Cobh farewell with white handkerchiefs and Australian and Irish flags waving? The only way to find out is to be there and be a part of this unique occasion.