Lusitania service highlight of Cork harbour festival
The vessel’s captain will lead a Lusitania memorial service which has been organised by Cunard and the Port of Cork to coincide with the Cork Harbour Open Day.
It is just one of dozens of events taking place on the day in the world’s second largest natural harbour, and a free ferry shuttle service will help people experience all the wonders it has to offer — both on and off the water.
Operated by Whale of a Time, it will ferry visitors around the lower harbour calling at Ringaskiddy, Monkstown, Cobh, Aghada and Crosshaven.
Events lined up include a Cobh-to-Blackrock sailing race and kayaking on the River Lee.
A free open day at the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy, which includes a tour of its state-of-the-art ship bridge simulator and its high-tech training pool will also take place.
The Fastnet Lines’ MV Julia will also be open to the public at Ringaskiddy, while an Irish Coast Guard helicopter and the RNLI will stage a search and rescue demonstration at 3pm near Monkstown and Ringaskiddy.
The public has also been encouraged to turn out at Roche’s Point, Weavers Point, Camden Fort, Cobh town or Whitegate to bid farewell to the MV Queen Elizabeth as she departs around 5pm.
Spike Island will also be open all day, with boat rides operating from Kennedy Pier in Cobh to the island.
*Full details of all the events are available at www.corkharbour.ie
