All About Cork: Blackrock GAA coffee mornings proving a huge success

Blackrock National Hurling Club have highlighted the success of their monthly coffee mornings which bring together members of the community on a regular basis.

The Rockies have joined a growing list of GAA clubs who hold a get-together at their club once a month.

It takes place at the clubhouse on Church Road on the last Friday of every month from 10.30am to 12pm.

Speaking to The Echo, club president Roger Ryan said:

“The Rockies started this monthly event in September 2023, but other clubs such as the Barrs, Nemo, Midleton and Sars have been operating much longer than that.

The event, which is an occasion for former players, friends and supporters of the club to get together for a cuppa and a chat, has proved to be a great success in a very short time.

“It's an occasion where old friends greet, and new friends meet.” 

The Rockies morning came about thanks to the initiative of vice chairman Brian Smith, who enlisted the help of Fergus O'Brien, Eamonn O'Donoghue, Justin Quirke and Roger Ryan to get it up and running.

“The ladies Ber Murphy, Anne Kearney and Ruth Ann Ryan, volunteered to do some baking each month and the club serves up some tea and coffee,” Roger added.

“The first morning drew a crowd of around 30 and this has now jumped up to almost 60 with new people joining in each month.

“Recently, members of the Rockies were invited to the Midleton Club and had a very enjoyable morning swapping stories with the members there.

“Future plans in the pipeline are for exchange visits between the clubs.

“Perhaps the GAA itself might also adopt the idea for their former players and staff members.”

Ocean to City has lots for the family

Family friendly entertainment in Blackrock and elsewhere will take place as part of the return of Ocean to City — An Rás Mór this Saturday.

The race is one of the most ambitious rowing and paddling spectacles in Ireland. Cork Harbour is set to come alive with colour and activity as almost 500 Irish and international participants compete in a gruelling race across the harbour.

Participants are travelling from across Ireland, the Netherlands, the UK and the US and will bring some 200 boats to the event.

On the day, there will be family friendly entertainment at various vantage points along Cork Harbour, including Blackrock, Cobh, Monkstown, and Cork city centre.

In Blackrock, spectators can encourage the youth race crews from 3pm as they row their colourful currachs over the 4km course to the finish line.

The youth race is organised by Meitheal Mara as part of their Bádóireacht programme.

At the finish line at Lapp’s Quay in Cork city, families can enjoy the big spectacle with entertainment, music, live commentary, and food from 3.30pm onwards.

Ocean to City — An Rás Mór, Cork Harbour Festival’s flagship event, attracts hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators to the Cork region each year.

Festival and events officer of Fáilte Ireland, Nicola Fitzgerald, said Fáilte Ireland is pleased to support Ocean to City which she said “creates a unique and exciting reason” for participants and their supporters to experience Cork’s “world class outdoor activity offering”.

Developing participative festivals like this really helps boost the appeal of a destination and encourages the spread of tourism across the country.

“This is essential for driving footfall for local businesses and bringing social and economic benefits to the local community,” she continued.

Established in 2005, Ocean to City has grown from its origin as a race for traditional fixed-seat boats into an all-inclusive rowing and paddling event, embracing everything from traditional wooden working boats, currachs, skiffs, gigs, and longboats to contemporary ocean racing shells, kayaks, canoes and even stand-up paddle boards. 

For a full programme of festival events see corkharbourfestival.com.

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Email Darragh.Bermingham@theecho.ie