Festival set to dock on Leeside

There will be oceans of activities on offer when a maritime festival rows into town in June.

Free sailing, kayaking, currach and dragon boat trips on the water, with Irish Sailing, Atlantic Sea Kayaking and Meitheal Mara, have been planned.

Tours of the Marine Institute’s research vessel RV Celtic Explorer and the Commissioner of Irish Lights’ ILV Granuaile take place across the weekend. The Defence Forces will provide an equipment and capabilities display.

The line-up includes cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs Neven Maguire and Rory O'Connell, too.

Further key events include Met Éireann Head of Forecasting Evelyn Cusack discussing weather changes and warnings at the Marine Institute marquee. There will also be talks and films inspired by the ocean at Marine Institute’s The Atlantic Theatre.

Award-winning wildlife cameraman Doug Allen will discuss his remarkable experiences filming BBC’s Blue Planet and Ocean Giants.

The Port of Cork and UCC research centre MaREI will showcase a 3D art exhibition by local fifth class pupils about awareness of marine litter and there will be water safety advice from RNLI.

All events will take place from 7-9 June and are part of this year’s SeaFest which launched its programme yesterday.

An estimated 100,000 visitors are expected at the Port of Cork for the three day event.