Cork Harbour Festival 2026: Ten Days of Maritime Magic Coming to Cork
Cork Harbour Festival 2026 runs 30 May to 8 June with 100+ events across Cork City and County, including the Ocean to City rowing race on 30 May.
Cork Harbour Festival returns this month for what promises to be its most ambitious celebration yet, with more than 100 events taking place across Cork City and County from 30 May to 8 June 2026.
Now in its twelfth year, the festival showcases Cork Harbour as the second largest natural harbour in the world, drawing together communities, visitors, and maritime enthusiasts for a week-long programme of activities on and off the water.
From water activities and open sails to seaweed foraging, seafood tasters, guided walks, music, art, poetry, workshops, seminars, and talks, there is something to suit every taste and age group.
The centrepiece of this year's festival is the flagship Ocean to City, An Rás Mór, Ireland's leading long-distance rowing race, which takes place on 30 May 2026. The race draws competitors from across the island and beyond, with spectators lining the banks of the Lee to cheer them home.
One of the more family-friendly highlights in the run-up to the main festival is Cllr Kieran McCarthy's Make a Model Boat Project, taking place at The Lough on Monday 18 May at 6.30pm. Young builders aged between 4 and 15 are invited to construct a model boat at home from recycled materials, with this year's theme being "Curiosity Boats."
Three age categories are in place covering 4 to 6 year olds, 7 to 11 year olds, and 12 to 15 year olds, with both individual and group entries welcome. Book tokens will be awarded to category winners, with certificates presented to all participants. Prize-winning boats will be exhibited in Cork City Library as part of this year's festival programme. The event is free to enter, and prizes are kindly sponsored by Cllr McCarthy.
The Cork Harbour Festival is coordinated by Meitheal Mara, Cork's community boatyard, in partnership with the Festival Committee. The event would not be possible, organisers say, without the support of Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Fáilte Ireland, and the Port of Cork.
The festival was recognised as one of Europe's Top 20 Art and Culture Festivals in 2018 and featured in FlightNetwork.com's Top 36 Global Festivals in 2017.
Full details on the programme and volunteer opportunities are available at www.corkharbourfestival.com.
