Cotehele Quay will be hosting a concert with a sea shanty twist.

On Sunday, September 10 at 6pm ‘Songs for Shamrock’ is an open-air concert with the Polperro Fishermen’s Choir and acoustic duo Mike and Tilly Music to celebrate and support the Victorian Tamar sailing barge Shamrock.

Shamrock  was built in 1899 in Plymouth and is now berthed at Cotehele.

The 17.5m boat is the last working ketch-rigged Tamar sailing barge in the world, the last of her kind and she needs a lot of conservation to keep her sound.

Shamrock  spent her early working life moving manure, fertiliser, coal, bricks, sand and stone between the busy quays and harbours of Cornwall’s coast and rivers.

‘We like to say she was the ‘white van’ of her day, but she did it more majestically,’  says Cotehele lead ranger Joe Lawrence .

‘She’s a grand old lady but like anything that’s 118 years old, she needs a lot of TLC to keep her going. We’re so fortunate to have her and we’re hoping the concert will help raise awareness of how special she is for the Tamar Valley and for Cornwall, and why it’s important to keep her going.’

Later this month the team at Cotehele will haul Shamrock out of the river, secure her on a cradle above the tide with every part of her hull accessible, and set about making major repairs that will ensure her future.

This will be an open-air concert next to Shamrock on Cotehele Quay. Gates open at 6pm, music starts at 6.30pm.