Cork quaysides will be hopping to the sound of sea shanties and awash with rowers today as Ireland's biggest rowing race enters the city centre for the first time.
Described by Cork city manager Joe Gavin as one of the lasting legacies of Cork's tenure as European capital of culture in 2005, the Ocean to City boat race has now firmly secured its place in the Cork calendar of events.
The third annual race, starting at Crosshaven and finishing at Lapp's Quay, aims to be a great day out for rowing enthusiasts and the general public.
Siubhán McCarthy of Meitheal Mara, the organisers of the race, which is raising funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), said: "This race is unique in that it's open to all types of traditional craft crewed by amateurs."
She added: "We also have a full programme of events and entertainment to amuse the spectators as they wait for the boats to arrive at the finish line."
Starting in Crosshaven at 12.30pm, dozens of rowing boats will set off on a 15-nautical mile journey for Roches Point at the mouth of Cork Harbour, before passing Cobh and Passage, and then reaching Monkstown.
At that stage, the race will be joined by youth crews aged between 13 and 18, while some of the other competitors will change crews. The boats will then pass Blackrock Castle and Tivoli before reaching the new finish line at Lapp's Quay in the city centre.
Spectators are expected to arrive at the finish line from 10am today, where there will be a French market selling food, jewellery and crafts. For children, there will be face-painting and clown performances.
A second race will be taking place in the city over the bank holiday weekend. On Monday, Patrick Street will be closed for the Cork City Marathon, the first to be run in 21 years.
The target for individual participants was 750, but the marathon attracted 1,700 entries in this category. In addition, more than 700 teams have entered the relay section, which means there will be more than 4,000 people running in the marathon.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Michael Ahern, said it was unique to have two such events - effectively a marathon on water and on land - in one city over one weekend.
"We are really looking forward to people from all over either getting involved in both events or coming out to support the athletes," he said. "The tourism boost will be fantastic for the city."