Volvo Cork Week: Local Preview

Volvo Cork Week: Local Preview Writes Jack White The Royal Cork Yacht Club, sailing enthusiasts, and the community in general are looking forward to Volvo Cork Week, 2016 (July 10th – 15th), as entries are up by 40-50% on the last event. An extensive social schedule is planned and, according to event Chairman Kieran O’Connell, the event is set to have its largest ever community involvement. Central to the success of Volvo Cork Week 2016 is the event Chairman, local man Kieran O’Connell. Having worked tirelessly to promote it in recent months, Kieran believes that emphasising the social schedule and increased local involvement is key to making this year’s event, and those of the future, sustainable. “I live in Crosshaven,”, says Kieran, “my biggest focus is on involving the community and to that end, for the first time, the event will be launched in Crosshaven village on Saturday, July 9th. Everyone involved with Cork Week is so proud to be able to welcome participants to the village”. This year’s programme includes fun for all the family, including a fun day in Crosshaven Village Square with a rodeo bull, dunk tank, bungee run, face painting and colouring competitions – all taking place on Sunday 10th July. Kieran’s focus on having much more community involvement comes from study of previous events, he says, “from surveys on previous ‘Cork Weeks’ amongst residents of Crosshaven and surrounds, we’ve ascertained that there is an appetite for us to utilise what’s nearby, i:.e the village and it’s fantastic bars and recreational areas”. Kieran continues, “so this time we’ve decided that whilst the apres sail will run from around 4:30 daily in the RCYC, the village will be hosting most of the entertainment from around 7pm to 9pm during the evenings in the early part of the week”. The entertainment in the RCYC itself is very exciting and includes, the RNLI Ladies Fashion Show and lunch on Wednesday 13th, hosted by celebrity hotelier Francis Brennan, Big Generator will be playing on Thursday 14th and the much loved Frank And Walters will be playing on Friday 15th with large crowds expected. (Over 21’s only). There will be DJ’s playing after the live bands on Thursday and Friday. Every day for the week, visitors are welcome to come into the club and sample the atmosphere, which is set to be enhanced with several food stalls, Frank & Honest Coffee via Centra Crosshaven, Clothing shops and much more. Cork Week is also set to benefit the community in terms of employment and in its support of local businesses according to Kieran and RCYC General Manager Gavin Deane. “Whether it’s people employed directly in the RCYC”, says Kieran, “or in local businesses, our suppliers, there is an array of people set to benefit from the week and we’re delighted to be able to facilitate that”. Having recently hosted the Family Open day at the RCYC as part of the Cork Harbour Festival, the club is also keen to create awareness and exposure of sailing and, as Kieran says, “dispell the myth that the club is exclusive”. “For years there has been a perception of exclusivity around the Royal Cork Yacht Club and sailing in general, says Kieran, “we really want to get rid of that and make people who visit the club feel welcome, to try sailing or become members. We now have introductory membership offers of €150 for adults, whilst a full membership rate for a child is €100”. In organising the event, Kieran says thanks is due to The Port Of Cork, Cork County Council, Volvo, other event sponsors and all of those who’ve helped to bring the event to fruition. Overall Kieran says that he and everyone involved with Volvo Cork Week is looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Royal Cork Yacht Club from July 10th to 15th.

Separate Box Party the night away throughout the week with an eclectic line up of music including The Papa Zitas, Dublin Salsa Band, The Loungeman, Billy Lynch, Colin McClean Latin Trio, Andy Dunne, DV8, Big Generator, Savage Cabbage and festival headliners The Frank and Walters, who will bring the week to a close, followed by a fantastic firework display on Friday the 15th of July. A limited number of tickets are now available online for The Frank and Walters and Big Generator. Visit www.corkweek.ie for more details. . (Over 21’s only)