Cork Harbour Festival Returns with 80+ Events Celebrating Maritime Heritage

Cork Harbour Festival is set to make a splash next summer, returning from 24 May to 2 June 2025 with over 80 events across Cork City and County. The week-long celebration will showcase Cork's unique maritime heritage at the second largest natural harbour in the world.

Now in its eleventh year, the festival offers visitors countless opportunities to explore the history, heritage and stunning landscapes of Cork Harbour through a diverse programme of activities. From on-water adventures to cultural experiences including music, art, poetry, workshops, talks and family-friendly events, there truly is something for everyone.

The festival's flagship event, Ocean to City – An Rás Mór, will take place on 31 May 2025. This premier long-distance rowing race attracts participants from across Ireland and beyond, creating a spectacular sight as competitors traverse the harbour waters.

Founded in 2015, Cork Harbour Festival places the local communities and their stories at its heart, celebrating this natural and cultural resource through engaging experiences. Festival-goers can look forward to water activities, guided walks, open days, sailing opportunities, seafood tasting sessions and even seaweed foraging adventures.

The festival has received international recognition, having been selected as one of Europe's Top 20 Art and Culture Festivals in 2018 and one of the Top 36 Global Festivals in 2017 by FlightNetwork.com.

Meitheal Mara, Cork's Community Boatyard, coordinates the festival alongside the Festival Committee, with financial backing from Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Fáilte Ireland and the Port of Cork.

With events spread across ten locations and involving fifty event partners, the 2025 Cork Harbour Festival promises to deliver an unforgettable celebration of maritime culture in one of the world's most spectacular harbour settings.