Regatta 2012

Well the Regatta is almost upon us, with one day to go to the opening ceremony tomorrow night. Thankfully, the weather looks to be alright. In fact, Met Eireann are giving quite a good forecast for this weekend. Its just in time too.....especially after suffering one of the worst summer storms in many years, just yesterday. What a difference a week makes; we've gone from one of the best days this summer last Friday to, definitely, the worst summer's day in many a year this Wednesday. Well that's behind us now and with fair winds, warm temps, and clear skies forecast, conditions we'll be back to normal for the yachting, rowing and water based activities planned for this weekend. A full programme of events are scheduled to start tomorrow with Saturday and Sunday the busier of the days. Cobh Peoples Regatta website is full of information and detail as to what is going on. Check it out here, Cobh People's Regatta, it's worth a look!!!

Definitely, the highlight of the weekend are the fireworks on Sunday night. This is phenomenally popular with the kids and families of all ages and sizesgather early in the evening to commandeer the best viewing sites. One of the best spots, of course, is the roof garden of the Commodore Hotel. Easy access is available to all residents and luckily enough we still have some accommodation left this Sunday night. If you'd fancy coming to Cobh then give us a ring and ask for Mary in reservations on 021-4811277. Alternatively, you can book online on here. However, best to give Mary a buzz....tell her we sent you!!!

Cobh Peoples' Regatta 2012

Well there's only one week to go to this year's Regatta and the anticipation is building. This three day event marks the pinnacle of summer activities here in Cobh and families from near and far travel to enjoy the festivities....and there's plenty of things going on and plenty of things to do and see.

Each day there is an extensive rowing and sailing programme. Its great to view the yachts, many in full spinnaker, as they tussle for pole position in the various races. The rowing races are also great to watch and there is great excitement as the various teams come close to the finishing line.

It's not just the racing and the competitive side of the regatta that's appealing but there just is plenty of activities going on. On the Sunday there is a carnival atmosphere in the promenade, which is set aside for families and young kids. There is plenty of face-painting, bouncy castles, clowns, and stilt-walkers to keep everyone entertained. In the main square there is plenty of acts on the main stage to entertain the night time revellers. On the Friday night there is the picking of the Queens which is always very popular with all. This is followed normally by entertainment from some of Ireland's top bands, as is the case on Saturday and Sunday night.

The highlight for everyone, though, is the Fireworks display. This takes place on Sunday night at 10pm. Make sure you're in early to secure a good vantage point as the town is normally thronged to see this....and no wonder; its reckoned that this half hour display is the best fireworks display in the country!!!

If you're staying at the Commodore Hotel you have the best vantage point of all. Our roof garden offers spectacular views of the display and is most definitely the best spot to view the fireworks!!!

Have a look at the Regatta's official website http://cobhpeoplesregatta.com/ for more details.

So why not come to Cobh and stay the weekend!!! We have some great accommodation packages on offer, just have a look at our Special Offers and we hope to see you in Cobh next weekend!

Lazy, hazy days of summer.....

View from Rooftop

View from Rooftop

What a cracker of a day it was today!

At last, a true summer's day...one of those lazy, hazy days that would remind you of the long hot summers of long ago (were they a myth or did they really happen)! Well today it happened! From early morning it was obvious it was going to be a great day; clear blue skies and the heat already apparent. The temperature dials hit 24C in the afternoon and a gentle sea breeze got up but didn't cool things too much. Indeed, inland temperatures got upto 26C; now, its a long while since we've seen that!

View from Rooftop

In the pic above, taken from the roof garden on the Commodore Hotel, you can see a number of people taking refuge from the heat in the shelter of the shadow created by the bandstand in the Promenade. There's no better place to be on a hot sunny day than in Cobh!

Many of the passengers aboard the liner Silver Cloud must have thought so as they alighted in teeshirts and shorts. They'd have been forgiven for thinking that they had arrived at a port in the Mediterranean. Let's hope we've a few more days like that!

Silver Cloud

Special Summer Offers!!!

Midsummer capers in Cobh.....

Cunard Liner 'Queen Elizabeth'

 

Jack Doyle

The last two weeks, straddling the August Bank Holiday weekend, have been very busy in Cobh. Despite the weather not playing ball the crowds have been out!!!

The Cobh Vintage Fair finished on the Weds prior to the weekend. One of the highlights was the street theatre coordinated by Claire Cullinane and her team. Once again Claire was ably assisted by the ladies of the animation team dressed in their period costumes. These ladies, dressed in Victorian, Georgian, and Edwardian garb, certainly cut a dash! One of the highlights of the street theatre was the performance of local actor Luke Barry as Jack Doyle. Luke gave a great oration as the great man, the Gorgeous Gael, on the steps of the Commodore Hotel. Other actors performed as other iconic figures associated with chapters in Cobh's rich history. These included Queen Victoria, Father Matthew, and James Connolly amongst others. The group certainly created an impression and Claire has now told us that all the actors and the ladies of the animation team have been invited to perform at Maureen O'Hara's 92nd birthday party in Glengariff. Well done!!!

The Animation Team

Thousands flocked to Cobh on the Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend to see the Cunard Liner, Queen Elizabeth. This impressive ocean going liner certainly has magnificent lines. She is typical of some of those monstrous ships that have oft visited Cobh this year with the top of her decks towering over the surrounding town. In fact, she is so big you can see her from almost any angle or any place in the town. The ship stands 12 stories out of the water and weighs a massive 91,000 tonnes. Over 2,000 passengers were onboard, many as part of the ship's 107 day World cruise and for which some paid upto $199,995. Wow!!!

Thousands flock the quayside

For all the crowds that came to Cobh on Sunday there was plenty to do. The Cobh & Harbour Chamber had organised one of their series of 'Summer Swing' concerts in the Promenade. The entertainment was great and there was a real carnival atmosphere with all the stalls selling everything from food, to trinkets and other gifts. As the ship left late in the evening, thousands lined the watersedge along the Promenade and gave her a good send off!!!

The Barrack Hill Ball Run

The weekend was rounded off on Bank Holiday Monday with the Barrack Hill ball run. This has now being running a couple of years and is now a firm date in the local calender. It is proving more and more popular with families of young children. This year was no exception as thousands turned out, despite the weather. It is some sight, though, to see the thousands of coloured balls descend down the steep Barrack Hill and no wonder it's so popular. Each ball can be sponsored/purchased for €2 and if your ball comes in first, second, or third you'll be in line for a cash prize!!! Every year substantial money is raised for cancer research and a few related charities so you can be assured that every ball you buy is making a significant contribution. What a great way for raising funds!!!

....and now that we're into August the capers don't just stop. In fact there are many more, particularly with the Cobh Peoples' Regatta just around the corner. However, we'll leave that for another blog post!!!

Special Summer Offers!!!

August Bank Holiday - things happening in Cobh....

Well there's a lot happening in Cobh this weekend. On Sunday the Queen Elizabeth will be docking in port and to coincide with its visit the Cobh & Harbour Chamber have organised one of their series of Summer Swing concerts in the Promenade. This will be the centre piece of yet another Fayre in the Promenade. All day Sunday there will be FREE entertainment for young and old alike. There will be music, face painters, stalls with a variety of goods for sale, a Carousel for the kids and lots more on offer. Its going to be another great day in the 'Prom.' Certainly, the 2,068 passengers that come off the ship will have plenty to do. Let's keep the fingers crossed that the weather plays ball!

Another great event is happening this Saturday. This one is a bit unique and has never been done before. As a fundraiser for this year's Regatta there will be an abseil from the heights of the cathedral by fourteen brave souls. The brainchild of local lass, Kathleen Geary, it sure is an innovative and spectacular way of raising funds. Kathleen roped in fourteen local volunteers who've never done a venture like this before. Hopefully, they've all a head for heights! Mind you they have been doing a bit of training on the cliffs of Ardmore recently so they should manage it. Nevertheless, it should be a great sight. Make sure you're down in Cobh early Saturday morning. Kick off is at 11am!

Last but not least, the Barrack Hill ball run takes place on bank holiday Monday. This is also a fundraising event and is in aid of cancer research charities. Since he started this event a number of years ago, local man, Paddy Histon, has seen support for this event snowball. Last year a massive crowd turned up to witness the thousands of coloured balls roll down the famous steep Barrack Hill. What a sight it is!

The ball run itself will take place at 4pm but from 2.30pm the heats of the hugely entertaining big ball uphill challenge will take place starting from near the bottom of the hill. Teams of three will have to roll a big exercise ball UP THE HILL in a relay. Teams can be of mixed sexes and ages with the aim of having great fun and providing a spectacle for people to enjoy before the main event.

There you go....there's plenty of things happening this weekend in Cobh. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday there is enough to keep visitors of all ages entertained. If you fancy coming to Cobh this weekend we're doing some special accommodation packages - have a look at our Special Offers for more details.