Record numbers row in behind Ocean to City Race

Ireland’s answer to the UK’s Great River Race will bring record numbers of competitive rowers to Cork this month.

Two weeks before the Ocean to City Race, the number of participants from home and abroad has surpassed all previous figures.

The maritime festival originated during Cork’s reign as European Capital of Culture and marks its 10th anniversary this year.

Almost 500 participants have signed up to date, 120 of whom will travel from England, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Spain.

Taking place in Cork Harbour — one of the largest natural harbour’s in the world — the festival offers spectators a chance to see a spectacular fleet of diverse boats while visitors can sample harbour tours, surf and sail tasters and kayak trips along the Lee.

Organised by Meitheal Mara, Cork’s community boat-building and training facility, the event offers landlubbers the chance to explore Cork’s 28 bridges and 28 weirs from the water.

In maritime tradition, skippers of harbour vessels would literally race to meet approaching cargo ships entering harbours all over the world in order to secure business. The Ocean to City Race is a reflection of that maritime heritage, according to event director Donagh MacArtain of Meitheal Mara.

“The race to meet the big ships was a way of life for these boats, the first one out got the job,” he said.

Overseas participants will be partnered with local festival representatives to ensure plain sailing during their stay.

Along with a significant nod to the boat building skills of our seafaring forefathers, the Ocean to City event is steeped in an ethos of inclusion, Mr MacArtain said.

“We have chosen 60 young people, for whom access would be that much more difficult, the chance to row.

“Our mandate is to give our young people a chance to be successful,” he said.

The event is a celebration of boats, from the currach to the East Coast racing skiff, with a dual focus on charity, as teams fundraise for various causes, from breast cancer awareness to the provision of a new RNLI station at Union Hall.

The festival kicks off with a series of pre-festival sprints this Saturday, May 17 as part of the Dragon Boat Challenge.

Visit www.oceantocity.com for more information.