Engine failure is being blamed after a tallship ran aground on rocks off the Cork coast.

Trainees from Ireland, France, Holland and England were on board the Dutch training vessel, the Astrid, when the incident happened at Sovereign Island near Kinsale at lunchtime.

All of the crew were taken to safety and brought ashore at Kinsale Harbour. The ship was taking part in an event to mark The Gathering.

Harry Harmon from the Irish Sailing Association was part of the flotilla. 

The people were rescued off the Cork coast as part of the major rescue operation that was launched after the sailing vessel struck rocks.

The Kinsale and Courtmacsherry were among 4 lifeboats that were tasked.

The Astrid before she ran aground

The Waterford and Shannon based Coastguard helicopters were also at the scene.

Eoin English is a reporter with the Irish Examiner and spoke to Lunchtime here on Newstalk earlier.

Main image: graham@oceanaddicts.ie