Brought to you by SeaFest.

Everything tastes better by the sea.

Just ask fishmonger-to-the-stars Pat O’Connell, who will be joining chefs Rory O’Connell, Martin Shanahan and Neven Maguire along with more than 30 local food stalls for a weekend of al fresco eats and salty air next month in Cork City.

SeaFest, the lively celebration of all things maritime, is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors to the Port of Cork over three days, kicking off on Friday, June 7th, 2019.

Held in Galway for the last three years, the arrival of SeaFest on Leeside adds a feast of entertainment to enjoy just stone’s throw from town.

As well as tasty demos and seafood tutorials, you can find your sea legs, with more than 100 free events to choose from, taking in virtual reality excursions, fascinating seminars and opportunities to get out on the water with a kayak, a sailboat, a currach or a dragon boat.

Here are seven events that are not to be missed:

1. The seafood sessions 

If you’ve always wanted to whip up a great chowder or make something marvellous with hake, some of the most trusted fish experts in the business will be giving away all their secrets throughout SeaFest.

As guests of the BIM and Bord Bia Seafood Experience, Pat O’Connell of Kay O’Connell Fish Merchants in the English Market and Hal Dawson, Ireland’s only Master Fishmonger, will explain how to choose the best cuts of fish for your dinner table.

Rory O’Connell, Neven Maguire and Martin Shanahan of Fishy Fishy in Kinsale will be on hand to make sure you serve it like a pro. Check out the schedule of free talks here.

2. Chat to an ocean adventurer 

He’s worked alongside Sir David Attenborough on groundbreaking documentaries such as BBC’s Blue Planet, now multi-award winning underwater cameraman, Doug Allan will be chatting to a Cork audience in the Marine Institute’s Atlantic Theatre at SeaFest.

In a series of inspiring and amazing talks that will thrill wannabe explorers of all ages, Doug will share his most memorable moments from filming in the wildest and most remote places on Earth across the weekend.

3. Be astounded by a Highwire Walker Funambulist
On Sunday, keep your eyes peeled above water; highwire circus artist Chris Bullzini will be in Cork to walk on a tight rope suspended above the River Lee, with just his balance pole and the breeze on his side.

Hold your breath and be amazed as Chris makes his way from Lapps Quay East to Clontarf Bridge – this one is not for the faint-hearted!

4. Catch a film in the Atlantic Theatre

More than four years in the making, Ireland’s Deep Atlantic takes viewers in search of blue whales, sharks and deep water coral reefs 3,000 metres deep.

The RTÉ series sees underwater cameraman Ken O’Sullivan embark on a series of voyages in the open North Atlantic, meeting many of Ireland’s sea creatures for the first time and documenting their behaviours while investigating the health of our deep Atlantic waters.

5. Get out on the water

Irish Sailing are offering a number of sailing activities across the weekend. Join the crew and board a skippered keelboat in the Port of Cork on Friday, Saturday or Sunday (no booking required).

There’s also a unique opportunity to tour the Marine Institute’s marine research vessel the RV Celtic Explorer and speak to scientists about the research undertaken on board. Visitors can see the Irish Lights’ ILV Granuaile and the Tall Ship, The Phoenix. No booking is required but times are dependent on access and tidal conditions.

6. Get a close-up view of the seabed using virtual reality 
For the first time, BIM’s Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC) will be at SeaFest, using VR technology to show visitors what mussel beds and oyster farms look like close up.

This VR adventure is also an excellent tutorial on how to sustainably source seafood.

7. Walk the Docklands 
How much do you know about Cork’s rapidly developing Docklands? Part of the Cork Harbour Festival, Cllr Kieran McCarthy will be leading an historical walking tour, exploring the evolution of the area from the late eighteenth century through nineteenth century reclamation to industrialisation.

This tour, which starts at Kennedy Park, Victoria Road on Sunday at 2pm and ends in SeaFest Village at 4pm, aims to showcase some of the Docklands’ historical DNA. No need to book, just turn up on the day.

SeaFest takes place at the Port of Cork over three days from Friday, June 7th, 2019. Follow the Facebook page for regular updates or check out the website for the full programme.