Ford Cork Week looms. It is a sailing extravaganza bursting with colour. This year, 628 boats and 6,500 competitors will take part in the biennial regatta which will be based at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, in Crosshaven, the oldest yacht club in the world. It was founded in 1720.
When the event began in 1986, there were 87 entries. Since then it has taken off in a spectacular way, growing annually by more than 25 per cent.
Two years ago, an economic impact survey by the Marine Institute reckoned that the value of the event to Cork was some £2 million. It was quickly recognised, however, that the estimate was short of the mark - it's now believed, as this year's event approaches, that a more accurate figure would be around £5 million.
The regatta will be run between next Saturday and July 17th in Cork Harbour. For fans of sailing and the sea, it's a must. Some of the most spectacular craft afloat will be seen in the harbour and even if you can't aspire to owning one of them, the spectacle is worth watching.
The sailing is serious but there is a carnival air in Crosshaven all week. And there is still potential for the regatta to grow, according to Mr Edwin Nolan, chairman and managing director of Henry Ford & Son Ireland.
The original Henry Ford came from Ballinascarthy, not far from Cork city. The company, whose production line has long since ceased to operate in Cork, still feels an allegiance and marks it through its support for the regatta - because of the founder's Cork connections, the company is the only Ford company in the world which continues to use the "& son" title.
Mr Mark Mortell, chairman of Bord Failte, feels the regatta has helped to balance the image of Ireland abroad.
"Ireland, despite being an island, has often been perceived by our neighbours as a predominantly agricultural and land-centred culture, even though Bord Failte has always been careful to include strong sea associations in its international promotional material," he said.
When the fleet assembles in Crosshaven, flags from as far away as Australia will be flying in the Cork port. There will also be entrants from such countries as the US, France and the Netherlands.
The 628 entries are divided into 18 classes and will race on six courses, most of them under a handicap system. This year, marking the foundation of the club, a new 1720 class has been introduced in which there are 62 entrants.
The tented village which accompanies the event is expected to attract up to 3,500 visitors a day to the town.
Forget the bad summer, head for Crosshaven.