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Displaying items by tag: Cork Port

In an exclusive interview for my weekly This Island Nation podcast, the Chairman of Cork Port says that it is moving “from a city port to a sea port.”

Listen to John Mullins as he outlines why the port company “must leave a legacy behind to Cork City as it moves its operations downriver to Ringaskiddy and must create new relationships with all of the harbour communities.”

He spoke to me at the announcement of the Cork Harbour Festival, which will run from June 3 to June 11.

Listen to the podcast below where he also speaks about plans for Marino Point and reveals what is proposed for the development of the iconic, historic harbour offices and buildings on Custom House Quay in Cork City centre and the marina attached to it.

• See also CORK CLAIMS LARGEST HARBOUR FESTIVAL IN IRELAND

Published in Island Nation
Since mid-October port authorities in Belfast, Dublin and Cork have been training senior managers from Afrian, Asian and Latin American ports. The training workshops are in collaboration with Irish Aid and UNCTAD's 'Train-for-Trade' (TFT) Port Training Programme.
The workshop are tailored to 25 senior managers from these global ports, which seeks to improve port efficiency and foster international trade. In addition it is to reinforce technical and managerial skills of a port community's human resources.

The Port Training Programme is comprised of a "Modern Port Management" course and a final dissertation. During this training of trainer's workshop, the senior managers will be trained as local instructors on Modules 1-4 of the "Modern Port Management" course.

On completion of the workshop which ends today, they will serve as local instructors for their respective ports, collaborating with UNCTAD specialists and transferring their acquired knowledge to the participants of the TFT Port Training Programme.

UNCTAD stands for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development which was launched in 1998. The new Train-For-Trade programme strengthens national and regional human and institutional resources for trade and investment as a key to growth for UNCTAD member countries, particularly the least developed ones (LDCs).

Published in Ports & Shipping
30th August 2011

Costa 'Del' Cork

With next month around the corner, the Port of Cork is to welcome another dozen cruiseships with the first September caller to be Costa Deliziosa which docks this Thursday, writes Jehan Ashmore.
The 92,600 tonnes vessel (photo) with her distinctive funnel colours of bright yellow with a blue 'C' is a global cruise trademark of Costa Cruises, the Italian owned shipping company. Costa Lines are a relative newcomer to the Irish market and the 2010 built 16-deck vessel visited Cobh in her first season last year. Watch the vessel's progress by clicking the bridge web-cam via this link.

To get a better understanding of the extensive facilities available on board for the 2,826 passengers, why not have a gawk using the Multi-Media Centre page by clicking HERE (noting when done then click 'Pictures and Movies'). From here you can enter the world of life-on board (with video presentations by scrolling down) for the aromatic thermal baths, the shops gallery, the Japanese tea room, Cinema Etoiles, the Samsara Spa or have a look of an ocean view category cabin.

Of the 1,130 cabins in total, 52 have direct access to the Samsara Spa, 662 with private balcony, 106 suites with private balcony and 4 suites also have direct access to the Samsara Spa. To read more about the ship which also features a thalassotherapy, treatment rooms, sauna, turkish bath and an UVA-ray solarium click HERE.

Published in Cruise Liners

About Currachs

A currach is a type of boat unique to the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland. Traditionally, currachs have a wooden frame over which animal skins or hides are stretched. These days, the wooden frame is more likely to be covered in canvas, which is then painted with tar to make it waterproof.

"Naomhóg" is the name given to the type of currach which used by coastal communities in Cork and Kerry. Currachs differ from each other from region to region. Naomhógs are slightly longer than the currachs used in the West of Ireland.
 
Some believe that currachs first came to the Dingle Peninsula in the early 19th century. They say this type of boat was introduced from Clare, where currachs are known as "canoes". 

Currachs are a unique type of boat that can be found on the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland. These boats are traditionally constructed using a wooden frame over which animal skins or hides are stretched. While this practice is still observed by some, many modern currachs now feature a canvas covering which is painted with tar to make it waterproof.

In coastal communities located in the Cork and Kerry regions, a specific type of currach is used which is known as a Naomhóg. Naomhógs are slightly longer than other types of currachs used in the West of Ireland. It is believed that currachs were first introduced to the Dingle Peninsula in the early 19th century, having been brought over from Clare where they are known as "canoes".

Despite the fact that currachs have been in use for centuries, the different regions in which they are used have developed their own unique variations. As such, currachs can differ from one another significantly depending on their geographic location. Nonetheless, these boats remain an integral part of coastal communities, serving as a reminder of our shared maritime heritage.