History was made at the world’s oldest yacht club last night when Annamarie Fegan became the first female admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Fegan, who was a coastal rower before she took up sailing later in life, had already set a first several years ago when she became vice-admiral.
The club’s new executive, elected at last night’s annual general meeting, also returned three female committee members for the first time.
Fegan has been congratulated by Minister for Enterprise and sailor Simon Coveney and by her fellow members led by the outgoing admiral, Kieran O’Connell.
The RCYC dates back to 1720, and an afternoon and card tea party was held in 1938 when a new category of “lady” member was permitted, with Mrs J Bagwell of Queenstown, as Cobh was then known, being the first associate female member, without full voting rights.
Fegan had already set a first several years ago when she became vice-admiral.
She is the former owner of a catering business, re-trained as a psychotherapist and recently completed a masters in the psychotherapy of relationship mentoring.
Fegan is also a highly accomplished sailor, and her family crew, involving her husband Denis and daughters Mia and Molly Murphy, was declared the best-placed Irish entry in last year’s 50th Fastnet Race.
She credits her two daughters for the skills that also saw the Murphy family coming first in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race in 2021 in their Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo.
She says one of her main ambitions is to make “sailing less elitist and more inclusive”, with far more “pathways” towards becoming involved.
She explains that part of the club’s efforts to break down the social and financial barriers include encouraging every sixth-class primary school pupil in Crosshaven to complete a one-week sailing course, while there are “Try Sailing” courses for people of all ages”.
Sailing is “ great for mental health, getting out in the fresh air, and it opens up fantastic opportunities”, she says.
“ My children (both in their early 20s) have travelled the world working on boats. Nothing beats the feeling of being on the water - it clears my head. We are lucky here in Cork to have such great facilities,” she says.
“As the club's first female admiral, I stand on the shoulders of outstanding female members who worked tirelessly for the club but were not given this opportunity,” Fegan says.
“ I am confident that we have amazing girls rising up through the ranks who will be well-suited to take on this post in the future. I’m very excited about working with the new leadership team as the volunteers are the backbone of the club.”
Fegan takes over the prestigious post in a year that the club is hosting two prestigious events - the Youth Sailing Nationals in April and the Volvo Cork Week from July 15th to 19th.
The RCYC has expressed its gratitude to outgoing admiral Kieran O Connell for his dedicated service.
Commenting, RCYC general manager Gavin Deane said “we are indebted to Kieran for his great leadership and direction over the last number of years”.
“His vision and dedication has been instrumental in the great development and growth of the club. We look forward to the innovative and inclusive direction that Annamarie will undoubtedly bring to the role,” Deane said.
RCYC offers a range of courses and training opportunities for people of all ages from Junior “try sailing”, cadets, Optimist, keelboats, Topper and Laser fleets, adult beginner and advanced sailing courses and the recently revived mixed dinghy fleet which feeds into the junior academy.
Listen to a podcast with RCYC's first lady admiral here