Sea what's on?
There are oceans of free family friendly events in the works for this month’s European Maritime Days to Play.
Taking place over 23 and 24 May, the event is being held to mark Cork city hosting Europe’s premier maritime conference European Maritime Day (EMD) from 21-23 May.
European Maritime Days to Play will include cooking demos by up-and-coming stars of the Irish culinary world, interactive science exhibitions and the opportunity to explore an aquaculture classroom on wheels and to tour some of the country’s naval, research, patrol and buoy laying vessels on the city’s quaysides. Creative activities from street performances to live music and children’s entertainment will make European Maritime Days to Play on Cork’s quayside the place to be.
Cork City Council, the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Naval Service and Commissioners of Irish Lights have an exciting programme lined up for European Maritime Days to Play which will also mark the annual return of the Cork Harbour Festival which runs from 24 May-2 June across Cork city and county.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle said: “Cork city is honoured to be hosting European Maritime Day which will see up to 1,000 maritime professionals visit Cork to network, discuss and outline joint action on maritime affairs and the sustainable blue economy.
“To celebrate this event and Cork’s rich maritime heritage, people of all ages can enjoy the free and fun European Maritime Days to Play which will increase understanding around how our river, harbour, seas and oceans enrich our lives.”
Cork City Council Chief Executive, Valerie O’Sullivan added: “Cork City Council together with the Government of Ireland is delighted to be welcoming the European maritime sector to our city for its conference on the blue economy and to host a free public event European Maritime Days to Play for families and young people. As we know, the marine sector, bioeconomy, seafood industry and maritime commercial companies play a key role in the Cork economy providing quality jobs to our highly educated workforce and coastal communities while marine tourism is thriving along the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East,” she added.
European Maritime Days to Play will take place on Albert Quay and Kennedy Quay and is funded by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Cork City Council, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Eirgrid, the Marine Environment Section of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as well as the maritime regulator, MARA.