Staff

Maritime Event Manager:
Geri Murphy

Festival & Marketing Officer:
Niamh O’ Shea

Event Office Assistant:
Gloria lp

 

Contact

info@oceantocity.com

+353 21 4847673

Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur 9:00-17:00 (closed Fri)

Or main Meitheal Mara Reception:

+353 21 4316813

Ocean to City
c/o Meitheal Mara
Crosses Green House
Crosses Green
Cork City | T12 HF38
Ireland

Ocean to City is on 31 May 2025

Registration now open

Are you ready for the challenge?

Ireland's premier multi craft race

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Ocean to City – Home

Weather Update: Ocean to City, Saturday 31st May 2025

Due to a developing low-pressure system and strong south-westerly winds forecast for race day, Ocean to City – An Rás Mór will run on our Sheltered River Course this year. This alternative route – successfully used in 2017 -keeps the race within the River Lee between Blackrock and the city centre, offering a competitive race and scenic spectacle along the Marina. While different from our usual harbour courses, it ensures the safety of all crews and allows the event to go ahead in challenging weather. Spectators can look forward to great viewing opportunities along the riverbanks, especially near Blackrock Village, the Marina, and at the Lapp’s Quay Finish Line. For the most up-to-date participants info, please see https://oceantocity.com/plan-e-sheltered-river-course/ 

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór, Cork Harbour

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór is Ireland’s very own long-distance rowing race attracting hundreds of participants annually.  Started in 2005, it has grown from its origin as a race for traditional fixed-seat boats into an all-inclusive rowing and paddling event, embracing everything from traditional wooden working boats, currachs, skiffs, gigs and longboats to contemporary ocean racing shells, kayaks, canoes and even stand-up paddle boards.

The Big Race takes place on the June Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday May 31st 2025 in Cork Harbour, Ireland. Sign up to our mailing list below to receive updates about the event!

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8 June 2024

3 June 2023

4 June 2022

Welcome to Cork Harbour

Created by Andrew King for Meitheal Mara

Here’s what our participants have to say about Ocean to City!

  • Skerries Rowing ClubJune 2016
    ''What a fantastic weekend in Cork. Great event loved every minute of it. Very proud to collect Boat Build of the Day Award with Skerries Rowing Club. Looking forward to 2017 already!''
  • Exmouth Rowing Club, UKJune 2016
    ''The first time for Exmouth Rowing Club to this event. Absolutely loved it. The organisation, charm, helpfulness and overall welcome and camaraderie displayed were a credit to all. Competitive, friendly, fun, challenging and extremely enjoyable. A magnificent event which should be a model for organisers everywhere.''
  • Catherine - Ocean to City ParticipantJune 2019
    "The event was amazing and I hope to be there again next year. I stayed down for the week and enjoyed so much of the festivities. The event is amazing you guys do such a super job".
  • Lisa - Ocean to City participantJune 2023
    "I'm a novice currach rower and was attending Ocean to City for the first time. We did the city course. It was a marvellous event, so well run and enjoyable.  If I possibly can I'll be back next to try the ocean course. If you possibly can, will make the sun shine like it did this year?"
  • Michael from Dart Gig ClubJune 2024
    "What a great trip that was! I have to say we did not expect to win anything, we had trained hard all winter, however half the crew are 70 yrs old, so we were very pleased with the result (and we beat Salcombe, our local rival club here in Devon!). May I take this opportunity to thank you and your committee for all the hard work and organisational skills that go towards making this such a lovely and special event. We love Cork!" Winners Ocean Crew and 1st Super Vet Crew
  • Purple Cutter PartnershipJune 2019
    "What a great event, you have to be the friendliest bunch of race organisers and I am in awe of the smooth operation of start, finishing and recovery that you facilitate. We were also amazed that you managed to turn the rain on Saturday morning off and bring on the sunshine for the race itself. Perfect conditions, thank you for that"! 
  • Peter Coreless - Ocean to City ParticipantJune 2019
    "I would like to thank you on behalf of my children and grandchildren for the wonderful hospitality and organisation of the whole event. We had an incredible time".
  • Strangford Coastal Rowing ClubJune 2019
    "Just a word of thanks to you and all the team for organising and running an excellent event. All the crew from Strangford had a ball"! 
  • Cork DragonsJune 2023
    "Thank you for an absolutely fabulous day on Saturday and take a bow for fantastic organisation."
  • Strangford Coastal Rowing ClubJune 2023
    "It’s hard to believe a week has passed since your wonderfully successful Ocean to City 2023.  On behalf of the ladies crew from The Strangford Coastal Rowing Club in Co Down thank you for all your hard work and efficiency in giving us such a fantastic day on the water. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  We know that an event on this scale must depend on many folk and organisations working together. Please forward these thanks to the host Club and all the other contributors. Every best wish for the next one!"
  • Fiona - Ocean to City ParticipantJune 2019
    "The race was , as always, a credit to Meitheal Mara and everyone involved".
  • Philip from Shannon PaddlersJune 2024
    "Saturday’s event was so enjoyable. And so well organised. Thanks a mil to all"

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Weather Update: Ocean…

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