Cork will be buzzing this week as 1,000 players in Europe’s maritime sector converge on the city for the European Union’s premier blue economy conference, while a free family-friendly festival will transform the city quays on Friday and Saturday.

The three-day European Maritime Day (EMD) conference is taking place at City Hall and adjoining venues until Friday, May 23.

To celebrate hosting this flagship event, Cork City Council, the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Naval Service and Commissioners of Irish Lights have an exciting festival programme lined up on Albert and Kennedy Quays for ‘European Maritime Days to Play’.

This will include live cooking demos by up-and-coming stars of the Irish culinary world, interactive science exhibitions and the opportunity to explore an aquaculture classroom on wheels and to tour some of the country’s naval, research, patrol and buoy laying vessels.

The importance of the maritime sector to Cork and the national economy is significant. Ireland’s ocean economy supports approximately 75,000 full-time jobs, and over the past decade, Ireland’s ocean economy turnover has grown on average by 6% per year.

Up to 37% of Ireland’s marine companies are based in the south of the country, and 40% of our blue bioeconomy and seafood industry.

Cork is also home to the country’s naval base and the National Maritime College of Ireland, while the Port of Cork is one of Ireland’s main commercial ports.

From a tourism perspective, Cork Harbour is Ireland’s top cruise........

© Evening Echo