The Owenabue River flows into Cork Harbour past the beautiful wooded promontory of Currabinny. Further upstream lies the village of Crosshaven in a picturesque setting on the side of a hill overlooking the Lower Harbour. Crosshaven is a major international sailing centre. It was from here that Tim Severin set off on his historic voyage to America in a hide-covered boat, re-enacting the voyage of the 8 th century Irish monk, St. Brendan. Here in Crosshaven Boatyard in 1972, the yacht Gypsy Moth V was constructed for Sir Francis Chichester. Two marinas are available for visiting yachts, both offering excellent facilities.

Crosshaven has been the headquarters of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, oldest yacht club in the world, since it moved from Cobh in 1966. With a membership of 1,500, the club encompasses a wide range of sailing activities from dinghies to cruisers. The club marina continues to expand and visiting boats are welcome to use the facilities. Every two years, the Royal Cork Yacht Club organizes Cork Week, now recognised internationally as one of the most successful sailing regattas in Europe.

Crosshaven has always been involved in fishing and is regarded as one of Ireland’s leading sea angling centres. It is here that the Cork Harbour Lifeboat is stationed. In Crosshaven House, the town can also boast one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the country. Built in 1769, the house has recently been purchased, renovated and can now be hired for functions, corporate and charity events, exhibitions and auctions.

Travelling upstream from Crosshaven, a bend in the river opens up into Drake’s Pool, one of the most beautiful places in Cork Harbour. In 1580, it is said that Sir Francis Drake with his five-ship squadron was chased into Cork Harbour by a fleet of Spaniards. Drake ran up the Owenabue Estuary and moored his ships in shelter behind Currabinny Hill. The Spaniards kept to the main harbour channel and, although they travelled right up to Cork City, were unable to find Drake. The walk along the old railway line which operated from 1904 to 1932 has been well developed and is one of the most popular in South Cork.

Carrigaline lies 8 kilometres upstream of Crosshaven at the head of the Owenabue Estuary. Located 12 kilometres from Cork City and on a good road network, this is one of the fastest growing towns in Ireland. Although the population of Carrigaline has expanded by a factor of 12 since 1971 when Cork County Council designated it as a key satellite town, the main street still remains the heart of the town.

The original town of Carrigaline was built around Carrigaline Castle at The Rock, 1.5 kilometres east of the present town centre. Carrigaline Castle, one of the oldest castles in Ireland, was built around 1180 by the Norman family of de Cogan. The ruins of the castle are still evident today.

After the fall of the castle in the early 17 th century, Carrigaline moved to the head of the Owenabue Estuary. The land around the town was rich and agriculture formed the basis for the town’s economy. Flax mills spun local wool and flour mills ground local corn. The three mills operating in the middle of the 19 th century exported their most of their flour to England. At the time, the channel of the river was deepened up as far as the town so that ships could trade at the town centre. At the time, the principal exports were corn, flour and potatoes, while imports mainly comprised coal.