Cork an Barbor

Cork an Barbor, (sometimes found as Cork-An-Barbor) are a group of five friends that got together to keep the sound of song alive on the shores and in the pubs of St Ives through a mutual enjoyment of singing traditional Cornish songs and songs of the sea.

They share a rich heritage of mining, farming and fishing which the songs they sing reflect along with a deep devotion to the Duchy.

‘Cork an Barbor’ is Cornish for little boys boat. Traditionally made from the cork floats from traditional St Ives pilchard fishing nets, with some slats on the top (usually old Venetian blinds or wood from old tea chests, to act as sails) and a piece of slate or a piece of metal hoop from a wooden barrel to act as keel. The children would play in the pools that formed the end of the quay, some trying to skat the keel out and capsize the boats or to simply have races … everlasting fun. 

The group’s website, “http://www.cork-an-barbor.com” was not found to be functional as of November 2025