Youths use recycled materials to make sure all is in ship shape

ENVIRONMENT-friendly youths got to test their boating creations at a special event at The Lough.

Local city councillor and historian, Kieran McCarthy invited young people to participate in the eighth year of McCarthy’s ‘Make a Model Boat Project’.

Participants were asked to make a model boat at home from recycled materials and bring it along for judging and floating.

Run in association with Meitheal Mara and the Cork Harbour Festival, the theme of the event this year was ‘Cork Harbour Boats from 100 Years Ago, Inspired by the 1917 Naval Commemorations’.

There were prizes up for grabs for the best models and the event was free to enter.

Mr McCarthy said: “Places like the Lough are an important part of Cork’s natural and amenity heritage and, in the past, have seen model boat making and sailing.”

Meanwhile, the Cork Harbour Festival runs this year from Saturday, June 3 to June 10, with a huge number of events on land and at sea.

These include the hugely popular Ocean to City race, the Cork Harbour Open Day and more than 50 other events.

The aim of the festival is to connect the city and coastal communities.

The festival ends with a 28km flagship race, Ocean to City – An Rás Mór.

Cllr McCarthy added: “During the festival week, you can embark on a journey to explore the beautiful Cork Harbour – from Mahon Estuary to Roches Point – and enjoy open days at heritage sites, and lots more; we need to link the city and areas like Blackrock and the Marina and the harbour more through branding and tourism.

“The geography and history of the second largest natural harbour in the world creates an enormous treasure trove, which we need to harness, celebrate and mind.”