This is guaranteed to be a spectacle.

Cork will host an International Power Boat Festival in July, with the world-famous British International Harmsworth Trophy competition returning to Cork for the first time since it started at the Royal Cork Yacht Club exactly 117 years ago on July 11th, 1903.

Taking place in Cork Harbour and on the waters off the Cork coast on July 11th and 12th, 2020, the festival, which is a first for Ireland, is part of the Cork300 events series, which celebrates the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s 300th birthday (tricentenary) – the oldest yacht club in the world.

Four major, and very different, powerboat events will take place during the Festival, three of which will be in Ireland for the first time. Spectators will have the opportunity to see classic boats from the past mix as well as solar and alternative energy boats, alongside endurance offshore racing boats.

A modern fleet of endurance offshore racing boats will also compete for the honour of being crowned UIM Offshore Marathon World Champion. In addition, the UIM Long Distance Cork-Fastnet-Cork World Record attempt will take place, and there will also be a Classic Motorboat Rally, where you can see classic and alternative energy boats.

“The Cork300 events series was developed to look back at ‘where it all began’ and celebrate the Club and Cork harbour’s 300 years of history.” said Colin Morehead, Chair of Cork300 and Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

“We are proud to again host milestone historic events like the Harmsworth Trophy after so many years. It is incredible to think that Cork hosted the first inter-nation powerboat race in the world. The entries this year will be considerably faster than those which raced in 1903 but the atmosphere and excitement across the harbour will be no less incredible”, he said.

Other events taking place this summer for Cork300 include an eye-catching Classic Yacht Regatta; the historic Kingstown/Queenstown race from Dun Laoghaire to Cobh; the world-famous annual Volvo Cork Week Regatta, a Wild Atlantic Way sailing ‘cruise in company’ for visiting yacht clubs and the prestigious Morgan Cup will also come to Ireland for the first time.