Cork Harbour
A rough estimate of Cork Harbour ’ s area is about 70km 2 – a lot of area to play in ! The harbour has been a working port and a strategic defensive hub for centuries and , with a dedicated shipping channel up to Cork City , care needs to be taken . Cork Harbour contains several islands of various sizes , each with its history visible through the many still or mostly standing structures . A SUP friend exploring the harbour around Corkbeg Island recently was amazed to stumble across a tidal swimming pool from a previous era .
Fota Island , Fota Island with its Wildlife Park and House & Gardens is one of the larger Islands in the harbour . Next to Fota Island is Great Island , with the town of Cobh , the location from where the Titanic left for its ill-fated transatlantic crossing . A 23km circumnavigation of Great Island is possible with correct timing and tides .
Attractions include a newly installed pontoon at Paddy ’ s Point in Ringaskiddy , which has opened up to paddlers ; Haulbowline Island – the Irish Naval Service headquarters , and an 18th-century bastion fort , which dominates Spike Island , Fort Mitchel , later used as a prison and is now a top-notch tourist attraction .
Further upstream , a put-in at Blackrock Village allows you to paddle west towards the city . You will pass Tivoli Docks – a working container terminal on the north bank and Páirc Uí Chaoimh – home to Cork GAA on the south bank . The River Lee that flows through Cork City splits in two on the city ’ s western side and comes together again on the eastern side , creating a city centre island that can be paddled around in the right conditions . I have seen seals , otters , herons and a lot more here . Cork City SUP runs year-round tours of the city , offering a truly unique and stunning perspective . The city lights also allow for night paddles , which add another SUP experience that must be sampled – I love the startled looks you get from the people on the quays who spot you .
Cork Harbour even has a few gems of beaches tucked away . Not far from the mouth of the harbour are Lough Beg ( or Luck ) beach on the west and White Bay beach on the east . Outside the harbour , heading west , is Fountainstown Beach , where Paddy from Funkytown will be able to sort you out with your rental needs and guided tours , moonlight paddles and summer camps . The ‘ Paddle the Owenabue ’ group also organise group paddles around this area , but you will need your own craft . If you are stuck for a stick , the guys at Ocean Crew can sort you out with long term rentals and can even courier the board to you .
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