Bantry 2012 Atlantic Challenge - A pictorial record

KNOW YOUR SPORT RESULTS

Opening Cermony address by President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MICHAEL D HIGGINS AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE ATLANTIC CHALLENGE BANTRY BAY GIG WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 BANTRY, CORK SATURDAY, 21ST JULY 2012 PARADE OF NATIONS PHOTOS -click to view Ladies and Gentlemen Tá áthas an domhain orm bheith anseo inniu i mBeanntraí chun Craobhchomórtais an Domhain i mBá Bheanntraí a oscailt go hoifigiúil. Ba mhaith liom buíochas speisialta a ghabháil leis an tUasal Mark Wickham as a chuireadh cneasta agus buíochas a ghabháil libhse as an bhfáilte croíúil a chur sibh romham. [

It gives me great pleasure to be here in Bantry this afternoon to open the Bantry Bay Gig World Championships 2012. In particular, I would like to thank Mr. Mark Wickham for the kind invitation to join you, and also all of you for your generous welcome.] As a nation, we have here in Ireland the sometimes challenging economic or trading difficulties of being an island nation but we also have the immense potential of the sea and what it makes possible. We have a valuable natural resource in terms of inland and off shore waterways of which we should be careful and be very proud. Maritime sport has an ever-increasing high profile in this country and its popularity continues to increase. At the beginning of this month, we saw the wonderful reception in Galway for the Volvo Ocean Race participants, following their 39,000 kilometre race around the World. The World Youth Sailing Championship has just completed in Dublin Bay, with many of the most skilful young sailors in the World taking part. And, of course, I have just had the honour of meeting Steve Redmond, who has brought great pride to this country by becoming the first person to swim the seven oceans of the world. Here today in Bantry we have yet another exciting reminder of the important legacy that is our sporting, social and historical identity. As we come together here today for the Atlantic Challenge, being held for the first time in sixteen years in Bantry, we are gathered in a town rich in maritime history; a town that spent its earliest days acting as a refuge and place of sanctuary for fishermen and merchant boats. I know that Bantry remains very proud of that connection to the sea, devoting the beautiful historic church near the old fish palaces to the memory of St Brendan the Navigator, and erecting a statue in his honour here in Wolfe Tone Square. I am aware too of how the mari-culture of mussels has become an important industry in Bantry Bay and Bantry is now establishing a reputation as the home of Irish mussels. Tourism is, of course, also an important part of modern day Bantry’s economy, with the coastal scenery of the area remaining a magnetic attraction for visitors from Ireland and abroad. There can be no doubt that Bantry remains a town proud of its connection to the sea and determined to maintain and reinforce that important natural link. That connection with the sea has also secured a special place in Irish history for Bantry Bay as the focal point for the late 18th Century French landing at the instigation of Theobald Wolfe Tone. Today we celebrate yet another link with that proud and rich past. The Atlantic Challenge is a hugely popular international event but it is one that is particularly close to the hearts of people here in Bantry. As you all know the Atlantic Challenge Boats are modelled on the Bantry Bay longboat left behind in this town during the ill-fated landing attempt at Bantry Bay by Wolfe Tone and a French armada in 1796. Today more commonly known as Bantry Bay gigs, these longboats have now been built in countries across the globe making Bantry an image, an icon, and a place synonymous with this famous biennial event. It may be over two hundred years since that frustrated attempt to re run the French Revolution and Bantry has, of course, evolved into a modern and contemporary town. And, like all other Irish towns, cities, villages and suburbs, this town has had to face significant challenges in recent times. Here, as in the rest of Ireland, the wounds of business closure, collapsing house prices, unemployment and emigration have cut deep. However, time and again since I became President I am struck by the great resilience of the Irish people, by their ability to come together as communities in order to assert themselves as participative and energetic citizens working together towards a better future. That resilience is reflected in the Atlantic challenge. The challenge is, I recognise, of course a contest of seamanship that tests crews’ abilities to sail. More than that, however, the Atlantic Challenge is also a celebration of comradeship and of working together to achieve a common goal. The contestants in this event must be prepared to work as part of a crew. They must be active participants in the process, prepared to fully utilise their own skills and talents while recognising and respecting the individual contributions of the other members of the crew. They must have that mix of generosity and humility that will allow them to offer support when it is needed and accept assistance when it is in the interests of the wider group; and at all times they must understand that, if the crew don’t work effectively together, disaster could strike. When I was inaugurated as President of Ireland I spoke of the importance of working and building together an active, inclusive citizenship; based on participation, equality, respect for all and the flowering of creativity in all its forms. I also defined active citizenship as something which required the will and the opportunity to contribute at every level and in every way – to be the arrow; not the target. Níl aon amhras agam ach go bhfuil spiorad láidir mhuintir na háite le feiceáil i mBeanntraí inniu. Tá gnéithe den shaorántacht gníomhach agus spiorad láidir an phobail le feiceáil fud fad na háite. Is cúis mhór bhróid dom é seo. Mar sin déanaim comhghairdeas libh go léir as an ról gníomhach agus pearsanta atá ag gach duine anseo i sochaí cruthaitheach, bríomhar Bheanntraí. [It is evident, here today, that this spirit is alive and well in Bantry, a town imbued with a sense of active citizenship and a deep community spirit. It gives me great pride to see that, and I congratulate you and commend you for taking seriously your role as true citizens who each have a personal role to play in creating and nurturing a vibrant, caring and forward looking society.] Atlantic Challenge Ireland is an associate member of Atlantic Challenge International and I would like to take this opportunity to commend them for all the hard work and effort they have put in over the years. I would particularly like to congratulate Diarmuid Murphy, Chairman of the Atlantic Challenge this year, and all the others involved for organising this celebratory event here this week in Bantry. Finally I would like to welcome all the participants and spectators who have travelled from all parts of Ireland and from all over the world to Bantry. I hope you have been enjoying some of Cork’s famous hospitality and also the beautiful setting for this year’s Atlantic Challenge. The shores of Bantry Bay itself facing southwest with the Beara Peninsula on one side and the Sheep’s Head Peninsula on the other offers a stunning backdrop of breath taking scenery in which to hold this event. I wish all the participants well this week and I hope all who come to watch this exciting competition will be exhilarated by the sight of these longboats and come to appreciate even more our maritime heritage and sport as we turn our faces with respect and confidence to the sea, its challenges and its possibilities. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

Avast, me Hearties: There's a Pirate Day in Bantry on Saturday!

Avast, me hearties. Are ye ready for a bit of piratin' and carousin'? Well, the shores of Bantry Bay are lookin' most inviting this weeken', for the town of Bantry be having a Pirate Day on July 28th, with plenty for pirates of all ages and sizes to do! The more the merrier, they say, so all's we need to do is plot our course through what they're off'rin'! Pirates, Ahoy! A Pirate Flotilla will assemble at Abbey Point from 11 am with all types of craft flying the Jolly Roger before they visit themselves on the town. Crew, all dressed in pirate gear, will make their plan of attack, before sailing into the harbour, under the command of Captain Bantry, aka Whitebeard Seanie O Leary. The treacherous fleet will depart Abbey Point at 12 noon sharp and head for Bantry Town to be met by a water arc as they enter the Harbour View area. The flotilla may be in for a surprise, so the landlubbers say, as local children put up a fight to defend their town against invasion. Pirates Beware! By 1pm, (despite the children's best efforts!) there'll be real-life Pirates on Wolfe Tone Square, swashbuckling and terrorising the natives with balloons, juggling,and whatnot. If you're fit to handle a bit of pirate mayhem, Bantry's the only place to be this weekend. Learn to be a Pirate For anyone new to the pirating lark, there are plenty of chances to learn the ropes,with sword fighting displays taking place on the town side of the square. An Eye for Treasure If it's riches you're after, there'll be gold panning in the boules area at the bottom of the square (€1), where gold nuggets can be traded for pirate treats. Counting our Pirate Haul To help us break an Irish record, we'll be counting the pirates larking around the town on Pirate Day. Make sure you visit the Pirate Stand where every pirate attending will have their name added to the dishonourable roll of Atlantic Challenge Bantry Pirates. To qualify, you'll need to be dressed as a pirate with a hat,bandana or eypatch, and pirate vest/jacket/ shirt (DIY outfits count). Each official pirate will receive a "Bantry Pirate Brand" to show they have been counted Best Pirates: All Ages! Open to all, young or old, small or tall! Judging will take place on Wolfe Tone Square plaza between 2 and 3pm, and our roving judges will be keeping an eye out for the most swashbuckling and dashing pirates that happen past during that time. No pirate likes to be under the eyes of the law like that, but there's booty to be had, and the finest pirates will be delighted with their haul. And More ... There'll be a magician, face painters, balloon artists, a chocolate fountain, a snow globe, and water-zorbing, as well as free live music with contemporary Irish Folk band Shavers Only. The music will go on into the night, for every pirate that loves revelry and carousing, so make sure you're there! Don't miss out on Pirate Day! Bantry's the only place to put down anchor on July 28th. Pirate Day is part of the Atlantic Challenge Fringe Festival, so, for more details, follow the Atlantic Challenge Facebook page.

Food Fair

The Atlantic Challenge is in Bantry this week! 16 Crews, 320 crew, pirates, parties and FOOD!! The Bantry Bay Festival of Food takes place in the square on Sunday July 29th from 11 am to 5 pm. An Extravaganza of Food Featuring: Cookery Demonstrations Food Stalls Spit-Roast Pig Fresh Seafood Local Chefs As the Atlantic Challenge contest draws to a close, and after the pirates have had their revelry on the 28th, it will be high time to relax and enjoy the finer things in life. On Sunday 29th July, the Bantry Festival of Food, sponsored by Bord Bia, is bringing together foodies, chefs and food producers on the shores of Bantry Bay to enjoy the best of the great food West Cork has to offer. As you watch the curraghs, windsurfers and wooden boats in Bantry Bay, you’ll get to pick up tips from local chefs, and sample your way through stalls that showcase the best of Irish food. The festival features Cookery Demonstrations by Local Chefs Local chefs Pat Kiely from O’Connor’s Seafood Resturant, Henry Hegarty from Wokabout, Rachel Dare from Organico, Benoit from Lorge Chocolates and Caroline Moore from The Seaside Kitchen will share their ideas and expertise with you, and you’ll get to taste some great food too at their free demonstrations! Food Stalls by the Harbour You’ll have to choose between Dexter beefburgers, Thai tastes from Wokabout, pizza by Pizza Base, cheesy delights from Manning’s Emporium, Organico’s salads, The Real Olive Stall’s olives, fresh seafood and more! There’ll even be a spit-roast pig cooking over a smokepit barbecue courtesy of Barbecue Joe’s Pause for incredible artisan coffee from Cafe Mezzo, savour Mella’s amazing Fudge, or try fresh juices and smoothies from Hyacinth in Mallow. Did we mention Lorge chocolates, puddings from The Seaside Kitchen, and gluten-free snacks from Oasis Baking. You won’t go home hungry, and if you decide not to go home at all, you’ll get to enjoy the fireworks at 11:30pm, closing a fantastic 10 days spent celebrating all that’s great about West Cork.

ATLANTIC CHALLENGE PHOTOS

DAY 1 of COMPETITION PRESIDENTIAL VISIT & OPENING CERMONY preCompetition training

Atlantic Challenge Bantry2012 Presidential