Getting under the surface of Cork’s maritime heritage
CORK is a county of vast history and heritage, and given a coastline of over 1,000 kilometres from Youghal in the east to Allihies in the west, we are certainly not short on maritime heritage.
The term maritime heritage is quite a varied one and would include famous shipwrecks off the coast of Cork (the Lusitania and the AUD are two noted examples) as well as life in coastal communities, together with traditional coastline practices such as crab fishing, seaweed harvesting and even sulky racing along the beach.
During the summer many coastal locations really come to life with a range of different heritage festivals and weekends. This coming weekend, it is Cobh in Cork Harbour that will be the centre of attention with the Cobh People’s Regatta set to take place. The three day event, from 12th to 14th August, will include sailing craft, traditional music and dancing, and given the centenary year that is in it, will also include historical talks on the AUD. On the Sunday there will be plenty of activities for children, including a crab fishing competition and those present will also get to the see the Caribbean Princess Liner up close; a ship that carries 3,592 passengers and a further 1,200 crew. The ship really is one to behold with a length of close to 300 metres and a height of close to 60 metres, only a few metres shorter than the County Hall which is 67 metres hight and the third tallest building in Ireland. By way of mention, the tallest building in Ireland is the Elysian in Cork City, at 68.28 metres.
Maritime heritage is just one aspect of the county’s vast history, another is the role that Cork people played in Ireland’s struggle for Independence. In this we certainly think back 100 years ago to 1916, and the years that followed, particularly here in Cork from 1918 to 1923, however, we also remember those people from earlier periods who also played pivotal roles. In this regard it is most fitting that ‘ The Bard’ will be commemorated in Millstreet on Sunday 14th August.
At the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, Seán Riobaird O Súilleabháin, known as ‘The Bard’ played a major role in the Land War in the North Cork area, and later in the War of Independence. The Aubane Historical Society has organised this event in his memory, which commences at 2pm at the Kerryman’s Table, Butter Road, Aubane, Millstreet. All are welcome.
The following Friday in Carrigadrohid, August 19th, will see the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Terence McSwiney and Tomás MacCurtain; two former Lord Mayors of Cork, who both died during the War of Independence. The event has been organised by Carrigadrohid Killinadrish Tidy Towns and people are requested to gather in the village at 6pm.
The following day, Saturday 20th, sees the commencement of National Heritage Week 2016 and a what a week we have in store. It is a week that is growing in popularity year by year and not surprisingly. In the county of Cork alone there will be close to 170 events in approximately 60 locations. This year the theme is ‘100 years of Heritage’, as we look back to 1916 but also the many years that have elapsed since then and the treasure trove of heritage that is contained within this period.
A major commemorative event that falls during Heritage Week this year will be the annual Béal na mBláth Michael Collins Commemoration, which takes place in Béal na mBláth on Sunday 21st August. Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins, will give the oration and the commemoration commences at 3pm. At 5pm that same evening the annual historical walk along the Michael Collins Way from the monument at Sam’s Cross to Carrig a Radhairc Clonakilty will take place. All are welcome to take part and all funds raised on the day will be given to local charities. Also at 5pm that evening will be another huge event; this being the highly anticipated opening of the Kilmurry Independence Museum, a fantastic museum, which will be opened by President Michael D. Higgins.
Killavullen will also be busy with commemorations on Sunday 21st August, as the community commemorates 1916 with a full ceremonial event including the playing of the National Anthem. Following this, the streetscape in Killavullen will go back to 1916, involving a market, other street activities of the time and the demonstration of numerous trades of the era such as sheep shearing, butter making, basket making and lace making. The Cobh Ladies Animation Team will also be present and there will be a 1916 themed exhibition in the Community Centre.
If Sunday 21st August is anything to go by, Heritage Week 2016 will certainly be one to live long in memory. There are numerous other Heritage Week events of a centenary nature taking place over the course of the week. In the County Hall on Monday 22nd August there will a talk on the importance of 1916 to the County of Cork, followed immediately by a talk on the upcoming publication ‘Heritage Centenary Sites of County Cork’, a book that will document Cork’s role in the story of Ireland’s fight for freedom, focusing on a number of sites throughout the County, spanning not just 1916 and the 19191923 period but also many of the previous movements, touching on the United Irishmen, the Young Irelanders and the Fenian Movement to name a few. The event, during which the two talks take place consecutively, will commence at 2.30pm and will be finished at 4pm.
In Ballincollig on Wednesday 24th at 8pm there will be a talk in the White Horse Inn, regarding the White Horse itself, which for many years was run by Mamie Murphy, the sister of Commandant Leo Murphy, one of the founders of the 3rd Battalion, Cork IRA.
In Coppeen there will be an ‘Independence Evening’ on Friday 26th August commencing at 7.30pm in An Caipín, Coppeen; an evening of scoraíocht, song, verse and story to be enjoyed by all, with the central theme of 1916 and Ireland’s fight for independence.
Saturday 27th will also be a big day in North Cork, with a wonderful event ‘Buttevant in 1916’ set to take place. In 1916, Buttevant had a large British Army presence. During the event, the influence of the army on the social and commercial life of the town will be explored as well as national events at the time. The day starts at 10am and runs up until 5pm, taking place in the Daycare Centre along Main Street, Buttevant. The event has been organised by the Buttevant Heritage Group and all are welcome to attend.
Heritage Week 2016 will also play host to over 100 further, not strictly commemorative, heritage events ranging from nature to archaeology, folklore and local history. Next week’s column will highlight events taking place over the week in the Mid and North Cork areas.