20 years of unstoppable spirit

Cork Harbour came alive last weekend with cheers, splashes and excitement as Ocean to City – An Rás Mór hit the water and celebrated its 20th anniversary in spectacular fashion.

Organised by Meitheal Mara, this flagship event of the Cork Harbour Festival is Ireland’s largest multi-craft rowing and paddling race, attracting hundreds of participants from across Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, and beyond.

Despite a difficult but essential decision to change the race course due to weather conditions, spirits remained high. Organisers swiftly implemented the ‘Plan E – Sheltered River Course’ to prioritise participant safety without compromising the excitement of the day.

The race route, traditionally starting at Crosshaven and finishing at Lapp’s Quay, was adapted to begin at Horgan’s Quay.

Competitors powered along the north shore to the working docks at Tivoli, crossed the River Lee towards Blackrock Castle, and returned along the scenic southern shore via the Marina. The finish line remained in its iconic vantage point at Lapp’s Quay, right in the heart of Cork City.

This year’s event featured a vibrant and diverse fleet of over 200 boats, including currachs, skiffs, gigs, longboats, ocean racing shells, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards and traditional wooden working boats.

Participants completed one or two loops depending on their original category or start point.

A highlight of the day was the Youth Race, also organised by Meitheal Mara, where young participants raced from Lapp’s Quay to Blackrock, showcasing the next generation of ocean adventurers and their growing skills on the water.

Hundreds of spectators lined the harbour’s edge to cheer on the crews, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere.

A spokesperson said: “A heartfelt thank you goes out to all sponsors, including Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Port of Cork, and Ardmore Shipping (Gold Level Sponsor), whose generous support made the event possible. And of course Meitheal Mara are endlessly grateful to their team of dedicated volunteers, whose tireless efforts were the backbone of the event’s success. The race results are now live at oceantocity.com/results.

“As we celebrate two decades of this incredible event, we look forward with enthusiasm to many more years of rowing, paddling, and celebrating maritime heritage on the waters of Cork Harbour.”