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Displaying items by tag: kayakers

Two kayakers were rescued by the Wicklow RNLI Inshore lifeboat volunteers on Sunday afternoon, 3rd September, after they got into trouble near Wicklow Head. The Inshore lifeboat was launched shortly after 4 pm after a member of the public walking at Wicklow Head made a 999 call to the Coast Guard reporting that kayakers were struggling to get ashore.

Alan Goucher, the Wicklow RNLI Helm, said they located two men on an inflatable kayak about half a mile southeast of Wicklow Head. The kayakers were trying to paddle against the tide but realised they were fighting a losing battle as the ebb tide was pushing them further south.

Fortunately, the kayakers did not require any medical attention and were safely landed ashore at the Glen Strand. Speaking after the call out, Wicklow RNLI Press Officer, Tommy Dover, stated that the good weather over the weekend had seen a big increase in leisure craft activity along the coast. However, inflatables can pose significant risks, as they are susceptible to changing tides, offshore winds, and currents. Therefore, he urged everyone to leave the inflatables at home and not bring them into the sea.

It is critical to remember that if you see someone in trouble in the water, call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats
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Kayakers Michelle O’Keane and Liam Hynes and swimmer Patricia Larkin were among Special Olympic athletes honoured by Mayor of Galway City Eddie Hoare at a reception earlier this week (July 17).

Also invited to the mayoral reception held on their return from the 2023 Special Olympic World Summer Games in Berlin were Galwegian athletes Katie Dillion (athletics), Henry Cloran (football), Kevin Hardiman (golf) and Máire Connolly (gymnastics).

“This group of incredible athletes brought excitement and pride our way in June, and brought home a fantastic haul of medals and participation ribbons for Team Ireland,” Mayor Hoare said.

Pictured at the Galway City Mayoral Reception in their honour are Special Olympic athletes who represented Ireland at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, with gold, silver and bronze medals and participation ribbons. They are Katie Dillion (Athletics), Henry Cloran (Football), Kevin Hardiman (Golf), Máire Connolly (Gymnastics), Michelle O’Keane (Kayaking), Liam Hynes (Kayaking) and Patricia Larkin (Swimming), with Mayor Eddie Hoare, and Councillors Terry O’Flaherty, Frank Fahy, Clodagh Higgins, Donal Lyons and Martina O’Connor.Pictured at the Galway City Mayoral Reception in their honour are Special Olympic athletes who represented Ireland at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, with gold, silver and bronze medals and participation ribbons. They are Katie Dillion (Athletics), Henry Cloran (Football), Kevin Hardiman (Golf), Máire Connolly (Gymnastics), Michelle O’Keane (Kayaking), Liam Hynes (Kayaking) and Patricia Larkin (Swimming), with Mayor Eddie Hoare, and Councillors Terry O’Flaherty, Frank Fahy, Clodagh Higgins, Donal Lyons and Martina O’Connor

“You are an inspiring group of people, and I wish to congratulate you on your fantastic achievement as individuals, as Galwegians and as representatives of your country,” he said.

He also extended congratulations to the coaches and volunteers who made the athletes’ journey possible and shared in the pride of family and friends who supported them.

Pictured at the Galway City Mayoral Reception on Monday 17 July 2023 in honour of the Special Olympic athletes on their return from the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, is Patricia Larkin (Swimming), signing the Mayoral BookPictured at the Galway City Mayoral Reception on Monday 17 July 2023 in honour of the Special Olympic athletes on their return from the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, is Patricia Larkin (Swimming), signing the Mayoral Book

The World Games in Berlin, Germany, took place from June 17th to 25th and was the largest inclusive sporting event in the world. Over 7,000 athletes from 190 nations competed in 26 different sports.

Team Ireland was represented by 73 athletes and over 60 volunteers and brought home a spectacular 24 gold, 23 silver and 29 bronze medals and three participation ribbons at the games.

Published in Kayaking
A man was hospitalised with serious head injuries after a kitesurfing accident in west Cork on Saturday.
The Irish Times reports that the man got into difficulty in high wins while kitesurfing in Courtmacsherry Bay.
He was taken by Irish Coast Guard helicopter to Cork University Hospital, where he is reportedly in a stable condition.
Two kayakers and two windsurfers were also rescued in the Kinsale area on the same day in treacherous windy conditions.
A man was hospitalised with serious head injuries after a kitesurfing accident in west Cork on Saturday.

The Irish Times reports that the man got into difficulty in high wins while kitesurfing in Courtmacsherry Bay. 

He was taken by Irish Coast Guard helicopter to Cork University Hospital, where he is reportedly in a stable condition.

Two kayakers and two windsurfers were also rescued in the Kinsale area on the same day in treacherous windy conditions.
Published in Kitesurfing

Cork Harbour Information

It’s one of the largest natural harbours in the world – and those living near Cork Harbour insist that it’s also one of the most interesting.

This was the last port of call for the most famous liner in history, the Titanic, but it has been transformed into a centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

The harbour has been a working port and a strategic defensive hub for centuries, and it has been one of Ireland's major employment hubs since the early 1900s. Traditional heavy industries have waned since the late 20th century, with the likes of the closure of Irish Steel in Haulbowline and shipbuilding at Verolme. It still has major and strategic significance in energy generation, shipping and refining.

Giraffe wander along its shores, from which tens of thousands of men and women left Ireland, most of them never to return. The harbour is home to the oldest yacht club in the world, and to the Irish Navy. 

This deep waterway has also become a vital cog in the Irish economy.

‘Afloat.ie's Cork Harbour page’ is not a history page, nor is it a news focus. It’s simply an exploration of this famous waterway, its colour and its characters.

Cork Harbour Festival

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór and Cork Harbour Open Day formerly existed as two popular one-day events located at different points on Cork’s annual maritime calendar. Both event committees recognised the synergy between the two events and began to work together and share resources. In 2015, Cork Harbour Festival was launched. The festival was shaped on the open day principle, with Ocean to City – An Ras Mór as the flagship event.

Now in its sixth year, the festival has grown from strength to strength. Although the physical 2020 festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, the event normally features nine festival days starting on the first week of June. It is packed full of events; all made possible through collaboration with over 50 different event partners in Cork City, as well as 15 towns and villages along Cork Harbour. The programme grows year by year and highlights Ireland’s rich maritime heritage and culture as well as water and shore-based activities, with Ocean to City – An Rás Mór at the heart of the festival.

Taking place at the centre of Ireland’s maritime paradise, and at the gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork is perfectly positioned to deliver the largest and most engaging harbour festival in Ireland.

The Cork Harbour Festival Committee includes representatives from Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Port of Cork, UCC MaREI, RCYC, Cobh & Harbour Chamber and Meitheal Mara.

Marinas in Cork Harbour

There are six marinas in Cork Harbour. Three in Crosshaven, one in East Ferry, one in Monkstown Bay and a new facility is opening in 2020 at Cobh. Details below

Port of Cork City Marina

Location – Cork City
Contact – Harbour Masters Dept., Port of Cork Tel: +353 (0)21 4273125 or +353 (0)21 4530466 (out of office hours)

Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831023

Crosshaven Boatyard Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4831161

Salve Marina Ltd

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831145

Cork Harbour Marina

Location: Monkstown, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)87 3669009

East Ferry Marina

Location: East Ferry, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4813390

New Cove Sailing Club Marina

(to be opened in 2020)

Location: Cobh, Co. Cork
Contact: 087 1178363

Cork Harbour pontoons, slipways and ramps

Cork City Boardwalk Existing pontoon

Port of Cork 100m. pontoon

Cork city – End of Cornmarket St. steps and slip;

Cork city - Proby’s Qy. Existing limited access slip

Quays Bar & Restaurant, Private pontoon and ramp for patrons, suitable for yachts, small craft town and amenities

Cobh harbour [camber] Slip and steps inside quay wall pontoon

Fota (zoo, house, gardens) Derelict pontoon and steps

Haulbowline naval basin; restricted space Naval base; restricted access;

Spike Island pier, steps; slip, pontoon and ramp

Monkstown wooden pier and steps;

Crosshaven town pier, with pontoon & steps

East Ferry Marlogue marina, Slip (Great Island side) visitors’ berths

East Ferry Existing pier and slip; restricted space East Ferry Inn (pub)
(Mainland side)

Blackrock pier and slips

Ballinacurra Quay walls (private)

Aghada pier and slip, pontoon & steps public transport links

Whitegate Slip

Passage West Pontoon

Glenbrook Cross-river ferry

Ringaskiddy Parking with slip and pontoon Ferry terminal; village 1km.

Carrigaloe pier and slip; restricted space; Cross-river ferry;

Fountainstown Slip

White’s Bay beach

Ringabella beach

Glanmire Bridge and tide restrictions

Old Glanmire - Quay