On your marks, Cork! Everything you need to know about city's bumper weekend of events

CORK is gearing up for a bumper bank holiday weekend, with tens of thousands of people expected to attend several events.

The Cork City Marathon takes place tomorrow, with 550 international participants from 26 countries to join more than 10,000 entries as well as thousands of spectators.

Today marks the beginning of Cork Harbour Festival, with more than 80 events taking place in a dozen beautiful locations across Cork city and county over 10 days, and the 57th annual Innishannon Steam Rally runs tomorrow and Monday, with huge crowds expected to enjoy over 1,000 exhibits.

There are also a range of concerts and sporting events happening across Cork, and lifeguards are returning to Cork’s many beaches from today, with sunny weather expected all weekend,

Lord Mayor of Cork City Kieran McCarthy told The Echo he will attend lots of events, including hosting a walking tour on Monday afternoon as part of the Harbour Festival, and giving out awards at the marathon.

He said: “The marathon is going to be fantastic, for months people have been prepping and there’s a real feelgood factor in coming together at the end of months of training, so I am looking forward to shooting the gun on Sunday morning.”

He added that there is lots happening outside the city too, saying “June sees summer shows in many towns, and the Innishannon Steam Rally is always attended by many people.

“They love seeing the old machinery but also just catching up with neighbours, the winter has been long - this weekend is really all about coming together.” 

Michael O’Donovan, owner of the Castle Inn on South Main St and President-Elect of the Vintners Federation of Ireland said that pubs they are anticipating a bumper weekend.

“With the fine weather, we’re hopeful that a lot of people will be out and about, and there’s so much going on around Cork this weekend,” he told The Echo.

“Cork footballers are playing in Páirc Uí Rinn Saturday, there’s the marathon Sunday, and there will be lots of people getting out to enjoy the beaches during the day.

“This is a big weekend, the June bank holiday weekend is the real start of summer,” he said, adding that from talking to publicans across Cork, “there’s a lot of people talking about making sure they have enough ice for the weekend!” 

And Michael Magner, owner of Cork’s Vienna Woods Hotel and president of the Irish Hotels Federation is also expecting a busy weekend.

He said, “The weather is going to be warmly welcomed, it’s the start of the meteorological summer, and good weather puts a bounce in people’s steps and gets them out.

“The tourism season has well and truly started, both domestically, with lots of primary schools taking an extra day for an extended bank holiday weekend, and the international market is strong as well.

“There’s events taking place across Cork that will attract a huge audience, and if the weather holds up, which it looks like it will, I think it will make for a very decent bank holiday.” He encouraged people to “get out and support your local businesses, whether that is a restaurant, café, pub, hotel, or a grocery store to do BBQs.” An Garda Síochána have encouraged people to “expect delays and leave extra time for your journey,” with a number of roads closed across the city starting at 4:30am.

Some of the areas most affected are Patrick St, North Main St, Adelaide St, Kyle St, Castle St, Liberty St, Monahan Rd, Victoria Rd and Centre Park Rd.

To view the full list of road closures see https://tinyurl.com/mwecrf5h.