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.

The Festival on the Hill, Cobh

The events for the festival on the Hill:

Friday, July 1st,

5.00 p.m. The Rose Supper. Private for Roses and Judges at the Community Centre. Thanks to Truly Scrumptious for catering and O' Donovan Off License for the beverages.

7 p.m. Music on the Hill in the Centre Grounds. The Monster Art Exhibition hung and open for viewing all weekend in the Main Hall.Sponsored by The Cobh Garda Diversion Project and Judged by Roairi O' Laoire.

7.00 p.m. The Rose / Mayor of the Hill Parade up the Hill in the new Novelty Train. Led by Cobh Pipe Band.

7.15 p.m. Intro of Roses on stage with Judges, International Rose of Tralee1999, Gerry O Grady, Cork Rose 2010 Laura Mitchel and Producer from Cork Opera House Brian O Flynn. Official Opening.

7.30 pm Micheal Jackson Tribute Dance Group, Smooth Criminals from Cork City until 8.15pm

8.00 pm Registration for Family Treasure Hunt.

8.30 pm BIG BIG BINGO in the Centre.

8.30 pm For as long as you take to work out the clues The Treasure Hunt return to the Commodore Hotel.

10 pm till very late The Hill is alive with Music and festivities in the Pubs. Check out your favourite for further details.

AND THAT IS ONLY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Saturday, July 2nd.

10 am The FREE Community Breakfast. Families, groups, clubs. organisations, local entertainers, local councilors and politicians will sit down together for a feast of Irish Healthy Breakfast options. Irish companies like Nestle, Clona Milk, Glenisk Yogurts, Supermacs join all the local grocery stores of the town to serve up a feast. David Roche of TV3's Come Dine With Me  will attend to help to serve the people of Cobh. Local musicians and singers will entertain for the morning.

12 noon The Baking and sugar craft Competition.

Noon to 3pm Children's Craft Workshop organised by Gloria's Cards Also Face Painting.Carousel Rides, Bouncy Castle, Sumo Wrestling, Table Tennis Display.

Noon to 3pm Family Team Challenge organised by Feabhas.

2.00 pm  The Mini-Queen and Mini-King Competition. Prizes by  Councillor Sinead Shepard.

2.00pm Dance , Gymnastics, Judo and Tae Kwan Do displays on the Main Stage.

3.00pm Eating Competitions (Crackers, Crisps, Bananas) always a favorite!

7.00pm Tug of War.Mens Inter Pub. (tbc)

8.00 pm Music for all and the Rose's interview on the Main Stage.

9.00 pm New Cobh Band LOVE STREET take to the stage.

A perfect end to an amazing day full of events.!!!!

Sunday, 3rd July

9.oo a.m. The Festival Car Boot Sale and Craft Fair.

3.00 p.m. The Fancy Dress.

3.30 pm  The Glamorous Granny Competition sponsored by the Cobh Heritage Centre and Christies Irish Stores.

4.00 pm  The Beautiful Bouncy Baby Contest. 

8.00 pm  The announcement of the winning Rose to become The Cobh Community Rose 2010 and go forward for the Cork Rose competition. Prizes inc. Dress and Tiara for the Cork Rose from the Princess Rooms, Newbridge Jewelry from Christies Irish Stores and Photo shoot  by Tony O Driscoll Photography.

8.30 pm  The closing of the festival by the great Cobh family band The Frahills.

2011 Festival will be over but the memories will go on a lifetime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New schedule for Michael Martin’s Spike Island tours

Michael Martin’s hugely successful guided walking tours of Spike Island will operate on a daily basis from Monday, 27th June, departing at 2 p.m. from Kennedy Pier. This is a new arrangement in addition to the current weekend tours on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.

The Spike Island guided walking tours commenced last summer and Michael Martin has bought this new heritage attraction to the fore of Trip Advisor in a very short time. Now ranking #2 of 64 attractions in Cork.

Here are some testimonials on Michael Martin’s unique Spike Island Tour.
“The tour guide’s (Michael Martin) enthusiasm and passion alone make this a worthwhile trip”
“Not to be missed – a ‘must do’ if in Cobh – very interesting”
“Tour of Spike Island with Michael Martin must be on your list of things to do.”
“Historic, poignant fort, prison and island”
“Very fun tour!..  Fairly priced and very informative.”
“Excellent! Not to be missed”

Tours may be subject to change, due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Information available by contacting:
(+353 ) 021 4815211 / 087 27672

Cobh Heritage Centre to take tours to Spike Island

 

Cobh Heritage Centre will commence walking tours of Spike Island on Saturday 25^th June. Tours will operate at 12 noon from Kennedy Pier and tickets may be booked in advance by contacting the Centre on 021 4813591 or email info@cobhheritage.com or on the quayside on the day. Daily tours will commence mid July. Further details will be available shortly. We are also taking bookings for groups which can be accommodated midweek.

An evening with Charlie Piggott and Gerry Harrington 17th June

Sirius Arts Centre

Cobh, County Cork

Presents

An evening with

Charlie Piggott and Gerry Harrington
 17^th June   8pm (Doors 7:45)

Tickets   €15     

Bookings 021 4813790   cobharts@iol.ie

Sirius Arts Centre presents an evening with legendary Accordion player Charlie Piggott, originally from Cobh Co. Cork, and one of the founding members of Dé Danann and The Lonely Stranded Band. He toured extensively with both bands and later as a solo artist.  For this special one night only event, Charlie teams up with esteemed Kerry fiddler Gerry Harrington. Gerry is well known in Kerry/Cork music circles and to the Irish-American music fraternity, Gerry's music was brought to a wider audience during the nineties through the release of two exquisite albums.

“ Charlie Piggott and Gerry Harrington are both excellent players of the traditional music with individual reputations to prove it, and when they play as a duet it is special; a natural coming together of skills and sensitivities with a respect not simply for the notes and phrases of which tunes are made, but also for the tunes themselves." Peter Browne.

Charlie and Gerry released The New Road in 2000 which was well received and highly acclaimed.
For more information or to book tickets please contact Sirius at 021 481 3790 or via email at: cobharts@iol.ie

Cork Harbour Open Day 2011 ‘Date Announced’

The organisers of Cork Harbour Open Day are delighted to announce that the third Cork Harbour Open Day will take place on Saturday 10^th September 2011.

The idea for a Harbour Open Day emerged three years ago following discussions between various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for Cork Harbour. A group comprising of representatives from UCC, City and County Councils and the Port of Cork set about working together to engage with users of the Harbour and to organise the Open Day. 

Last year Cork Harbour Open Day was a huge success with great weather and hundreds of people enjoying a selection of free family activities available on the day. Activities organised suited all ages and ranged from tours on board an Irish Naval Ship, sailing, kayaking, rowing, RNLI information day and crab fishing for the younger generation!

Organisers of this year’s Cork Harbour Open Day said: ‘We are hoping for a similar line up for 2011 and are encouraging people to organise events for the day, which can be jointly promoted under Cork Harbour Open Day. Most of the promotion was done through the Cork Harbour website last year, with high traffic volumes visiting the site on the lead up to the event. This year the website (www.corkharbour.ie) has been re-designed to be more user friendly, contain information on Cork Harbour and promote events such as Cork Harbour Open Day.’

‘Cork harbour Open Day is all about embracing what Cork Harbour has to offer in terms of leisure amenity and raises awareness of the many different activities available for people in the harbour both on and off the water. Last year was such a success; we are determined to make 2011 even better. Our ultimate aim is to extend the day to a weekend event over time’

Cork Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, next to Sydney Harbour, offering beautiful locations for enjoying the outdoors, dramatic coastlines, and excellent leisure facilities, and is home to some very talented artists, sportsmen and women, and people who are passionate about the history, heritage and cultural value of Cork Harbour.

To get involved in Cork Harbour Open Day or to organise an event which aims to promote Cork harbour, please visit www.corkharbour.ie or contact Sara Dymond at harbourevents@corkharbour.ie or 021-4625375.

What: Cork Harbour Open Day

When: Saturday 10^th September 2010

Where: Various locations around Cork Harbour

Info: www.corkharbour.ie