Mayor of Cork Cllr Gillian Coughlan, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, Naoise and Caoimhe Kinnerk O’Leary at the launch of Volvo Cork Week 2022. Photo: Gerard McCarthy Photography

Sea you in July!

Cork’s world-renowned regatta is set to return to the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven this summer.

Called Volvo Cork Week, it’ll take place from 10-15 July and will include four championship events during. These are the 1720 European Championships which will include over 40 1720 boats that were designed in Cork, the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) National Championships, the Dragons South Coast Championships, and the SB20 Nationals as well as the renowned Beaufort Cup for international uniformed service personnel, which encompasses a race around the Fastnet Rock and back to Cork.

Racing within the harbour will take place from 11-15 July and recommended viewing points include Camden and the Church Bay in Crosshaven, the new Haulbowline Island Amenity Park, Ringaskddy as well as the promenade in Cobh.

A new addition for Volvo Cork Week 2022 is a dedicated Classic Yacht Regatta, which will be hosted by the club for the first time this year. Classic yachts from around the world will sail to Cork to partake in three days of racing in and outside Cork Harbour, including the famous 37 foot classic yacht Persephone, the 1919 classic Erin, and the 1957 luxury yacht Shamrock, which will provide a fantastic viewing spectacle for shoreline onlookers.

Over 20 classic French boats will also arrive as part of the Bastille Day celebrations.

Volvo Cork Week was officially launched by Minister Simon Coveney and the Mayor of Cork, Cllr Gillian Coughlan.

Minister Coveney, who plans to take part in the Beaufort Cup, said: “It is a pleasure to officially launch Volvo Cork Week, which will make a welcome return this summer. Events like this that attract visitors from around the world are very important for Ireland, as they are an opportunity to showcase our beautiful marine resource, particularly here in Cork Harbour, the second biggest natural harbour in the world.

“The Royal Cork Yacht Club is the oldest sailing club in the world - it all began here –and is a huge part of Cork Harbour’s history that we are all very proud of.”

Annamarie Fegan Co-Chair of Volvo Cork Week said: “It’s going to be an exceptional week of sailing, we have a fantastic family day planned for everyone in Cork to enjoy, and I’m delighted that four of our own Irish Olympic hopefuls will be participating. We have a packed schedule on and off the water.”