Fun in the sun and sporting success for Cork over the weekend 

Cork basked in glorious sunshine over the weekend, with two major events drawing thousands to the city.

The flagship event of Cork Harbour Festival, Ocean to City: An Rás Mór, took place on Saturday with over 550 entrants from all over Cork, Ireland and abroad travelling to take part in Ireland’s largest rowing and paddling race.

Spectators lined Lapps Quay to cheer on participants as they crossed the finishing line to a very warm reception.

Catherina Lane, maritime events manager in Meitheal Mara, told The Echo she was thrilled by the significant turnout.

“There’s lots of colour, lots of fun, lots of people here spectating and enjoying it.

“It’s wonderful and the weather makes it,” she said.

Another major event in the city’s sporting calendar - the Cork City Marathon - took place yesterday, drawing over 12,500 participants and thousands of supporters to the city.

Race director, Eamon Hayes, said there was an “unprecedented” level of interest in the 2023 event while race project manager, Julie Sebode, from Davis Events Agency, said there was a sense that “the world” came to Cork at the weekend.

Rounding off a triumphant two days for Cork, the Rebels faced off against Offaly at the FBD Semple Stadium yesterday afternoon where they claimed victory in the Under-20 All-Ireland Hurling Championship.