Following the tremendously successful culmination of Cork Rebel Week 2013 last weekend, the festival which saw approximately 150,000 people join in over 60 events around the city and county, was this week shortlisted for ‘The Gathering of the Year’ by Chambers Ireland.
The Festival, organised and promoted by Corporate.ie on behalf of Cork City and County Councils and supported by The Gathering Ireland 2013, has been the highlight of the Cork Gathering calendar to date. The prestigious awards recognise the hard work that Local Authorities and Gathering committees around the country have undertaken to make The Gathering initiative such a success.
Speaking about the success of Cork Rebel Week, Jim Miley, Project Director for The Gathering Ireland 2013 said “Cork Rebel Week captured the concept of The Gathering 2013, taking the contribution that one county made both at home and overseas, and bringing it altogether to create new, and deepen old, connections. The Naval Review and International Marching parade were world class events and I was delighted to see the crowds flocking to Cork last weekend to be a part of it.”
Commenting on the success of Cork Rebel Week 2013, and in particular, last Saturday’s International Cork Gathering Event Ernest Cantillon, President of Cork Business Association said “Traditionally the week before the Jazz Festival is very quiet, however Cork Rebel Week brought in great crowds and our members are reporting increases in business compared to this time last year thanks to the influx of visitors, in particular over the weekend. In my own businesses, we were exceptionally busy across the board, showing the festival has a very wide appeal to all demographics. I would like to thank Cork City and County Councils, The Gathering Ireland and all the various organisations and individuals including the organisers Corporate.ie, who made it happen; we look forward to it returning again next year.”
On Saturday 19th October Cork City was a hive of activity as Cork Rebel Week 2013 drew to a close with the spectacular International Cork Gathering Event. The city saw approximately 20,000 visitors come and join the festivities, which included an international Marching Band Parade, International Naval Festival and Food Market, and Ireland’s first ever ‘Sail-In’ concert, headlined by YouTube sensations, Seo Linn.
In an impressive parade, led by World Champion race walker, Rob Heffernan, eight international marching bands hailing from Germany, the UK, France, Sweden, Czech Republic and Italy, battled it out to be crowned Cork Rebel Week 2013’s ‘Best International Marching Band’. During Cork Rebel Week each of the bands was hosted in towns across Cork including Clonakilty, Mallow, Skibbereen, Youghal, Kinsale, Bantry, Fermoy and Bandon.
Starting at St. Patrick’s Hill and making their way down to Kennedy Quay, where the International Naval Festival and Food Markets were in full swing, each of the bands filled the streets of Cork with music and colour, entertaining the many onlookers that lined the route. The standard of performances on display was of the highest quality with some of Europe’s finest marching bands competing. Following much deliberation, the selection committee crowned German band, Spielmanns-und Fanfarenzug Hahn Nethen, hosted by Skibbereen, the champions. The UK’s Revolution Show Corps came 2nd, with Jistebník Youth Wind Orchestra from the Czech Republic coming in 3rd.
Mr. Brendan Hoye, Official Judge for the IMBA said “There was an excellent standard of International bands on display, with very accomplished musicians overall. To see the traditional Majorettes accompanying the Swedish and Czech Republic bands was a real highlight, as this would not traditionally be part of a parade in Ireland, and so was a very exciting addition. We were delighted to be part of it and are very much looking forward to the next Cork Rebel Week International Parade.”
Commenting on Cork Rebel Week, Cllr Noel O’Connor, Mayor of the County of Cork, said that “The event has been a great success for Cork and is a wonderful example of collaboration between Cork County and City Councils, The Gathering Ireland, Department of Defence, Naval Service and local communities in portraying Cork in a very positive light both nationally and internationally.”
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Catherine Clancy added “Cork Rebel Week was a time for the citizens of Cork city and county to celebrate all of what is unique and extraordinary about Cork and profiling Cork nationally and internationality. It is an example of what can be achieved when all stakeholders work together with a clear and unified goal of demonstrating the best of this great this city and county.”
Over the course of weekend the Irish Naval Service welcomed a number of visiting foreign naval war ships to Cork from Britain, Russia, France and Belgium. The impressive international fleet berthed at the Port of Cork, where the quays were accessible to the general public, with a number of the vessels open for public tours; while the Russian ship, with over 110 crew on board, berthed in Cobh for the duration of the Naval Festival, and was also open to the public.
Commenting on the success of the Naval Festival, Cdr Brian Fitzgerald of the Irish Naval Service said “The Naval Festival in Cork witnessed a true celebration of the connection between navies, both national and international, and the civil society to whom they serve to protect. In concert with the spirit of The Gathering Ireland 2013, a Naval Festival in the world’s second largest natural harbour, Cork, represents real potential to be repeated.”
Saturday’s festivities culminated with the ‘Sail-In’ concert at the Port of Cork, headlined by Seo Linn and supported by Cork favourites John Spillane, GMC Beats and Natural Gas; bringing the curtain down on a week which saw Cork city and county come alive with events and activities to celebrate its rich heritage.
For more information on Cork Rebel Week 2013, visit www.corkrebelweek2013.com; and follow the festival’s Facebook and Twitter feeds for more updates.
