Volvo Cork Week Kicks Off with Family Fun Day and Opening Ceremony

Volvo Cork Week 2024 Opening Ceremony © Darragh Kane

Shirley and Daisy Ring pictured enjoying the Family Fun Day at Volvo Cork Week 2024 © Darragh Kane

Jennifer McCarthy and Sinead Coakley pictured enjoying the Family Fun Day at Volvo Cork Week 2024 © Darragh Kane

It was a day filled with nautical fun at the picturesque waterfront of Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) which was transformed into a treasure trove of free fun, education, and nautical activities which kept the young sea-lovers entertained.

Activities included face painting, balloon modelling, an expanded family-friendly area perfect for fun games that all the children enjoyed, a colouring competition with some fantastic prizes, a children's marine talk with UCC marine ecologist Sam Cox, and a great Coastal Market. The adventures took families across the whole village of Crosshaven from the RCYC to Camden Fort Meagher and everywhere in between. Red FM's Katie Jane Cronin kept everyone entertained as she broadcast live from the Royal Cork Yacht Club all afternoon.

The official Volvo Cork Week 2024 Opening Ceremony also took place yesterday (Sunday 14th). Honoured guests welcomed to the stage by Admiral Annemarie Fegan included Michael McGrath TD, Simon Coveney TD, Chairman Johnson & Perrott Mark Whitaker. Managing Director Volvo Cars Ireland Alan Cowley, Deputy County Mayor Cork Seamus McGrath, Deputy Lord Mayor Cork Honore Kamegni, Deputy Lord Mayor Cork Honore Kamegni, General Manager Royal Cork YC Gavin Deane, Denis Byrne Vice Admiral RCYC, and John Twomey President ISA and Skipper Shilleagh.

Volvo Cork Week 2024 Opening Ceremony - photo © Darragh Kane

Racing

Racing at the world-renowned regatta kicks off today (Monday). The Harbour Race on Wednesday, July 17, promises to be a spectacular viewing event. A number of Championship races will also take place from Monday to Friday (starting at 10:55 am) both inside and outside the harbour. Highlights include the 1720 European Championships with over 20 1720s, designed in Cork, and the renowned Beaufort Cup, which will be the biggest yet featuring international entries from countries including the USA and Ecuador. This race for international uniformed service personnel encompasses a race around the Fastnet Rock and back to Cork.

Entertainment

As sailors return to shore after a day's racing, the fun continues on dry land! The Royal Cork Yacht Club has a full week of entertainment lined up, featuring live musical acts each afternoon, cocktails, resident musician Phil Holbird, onshore sailing activities, and various retail outlets, spares, sail-repair, and other facilities.

Highlights include:

• Monday 15th - Heineken Après Sail Welcome party - 4pm
• Tuesday 16th - 'Fastnet Tuesday" Mount Gay Après Sail - 4pm
• Wednesday 17th - Orchard Thieves Après Sail - 4pm, Mid-Week Party in the Marquee - 7pm

• Thursday 18th - Murphy's Stout Après Sail - 4pm, Traditional Volvo Cork Week John Paul Construction BBQ Bash -7pm, Battle of the DJs -10pm
• Friday 19th - Buskers & Ginger Après Sail - 4pm, Prizegiving & Closing Ceremony - 5pm, Closing Party - 7pm

Dining

Plenty of dining options will be available at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, including a host of food trucks and food stalls, open daily from 3pm. The Bistro menu will be available in RCYC Dining Room each day from 5:30-9:30 pm.

Best Viewing Points

Catch the action from recommended viewing points: Camden and Church Bay in Crosshaven, the new Haulbowline Island Amenity Park, Ringaskiddy, and the promenade in Cobh.

Getting There and Back

There are buses from Cork City direct to the Royal Cork Yacht Club (220/220X). For those wishing to drive, parking is available on-site.

Volvo Car Ireland is the title sponsor of Volvo Cork Week 2024 in association with Johnson & Perrott, with official partners Cork County Council, Port of Cork, Musto, Heineken, Barry & Fitzwilliam, John Paul Construction, Smart Club Solutions and media partner Cork's Red FM.

For more see www.corkweek.ie