Bank holiday race to highlight city’s maritime heritage

A FLOTILLA of hundreds of currachs and rowing boats will come right into the heart of Cork city on the June bank holiday weekend.

The organisers of the Ocean to City race confirmed yesterday that the event will take place on a weekend which will also see the inaugural runningof the MontenotteHotel-sponsored marathon.

Ocean To City director Donagh McArtain said the chance for rowers to make their way right up the heart of Cork city shouldencourage more entrants and cements the race on the rowing calendar.

The race will start on Saturday, June 2, in RCYC, Crosshaven, go out to Roche’s Point before coming all the way into the harbour to its new finishing point at the Boardwalk — a distance of more than 15 nautical miles.

“The river between Brian Boru Bridge and Michael Collins Bridge is a natural amphitheatre and with the fantastic facilities of the new City Quarter Boardwalk we’re looking forward to an exciting quayside spectacle for all rowers, spectators and visitors,” Mr McArtain said.

He added that he expected up to 1,000 crew to take part and predicted it would bring the maritime heritage of Cork back into the spotlight. Already entries have come in from all over Ireland, Holland, France and Britain.

The race is supported by Cork City Council and sponsored by McCarthy Developments Ltd.

“We’re delighted that the Ocean to City race will finish in the city centre, and this will create a festivalatmosphere for the people of the city and visitors,” said Cork city manager Joe Gavin. Meanwhile, Tom McCarthy of McCarthy Developments, said the Docklands area, which is undergoing exciting changes at the moment, will provide a spectacular backdrop to the event.

nEntry forms are available for the Ocean to City Event Office, Crosses Green, Cork, 021-4847673 or online atwww.oceantocity.com