Blogs
Galway Family’s Atlantic Circuit Cruise Provides Contrast to Hectic Racing Programme
22nd June 2019 W M Nixon
Midsummer’s Weekend, and Irish sailing pauses for breath in this most hectic of sailing seasons writes W M Nixon. There are other events going on during these next two days, but let’s hope the most relaxed and non-competitive tone is…
Sailing has its ‘ups-and-downs’ and a hundred years brings many changes as the years roll by, both good times and those that are more difficult. Sailing in the Cork Harbour town of Cobh has experienced this, an experience which underlines…
Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race’s Final Leg Highlighted the Need to Keep Stamina in Reserve
15th June 2019 W M Nixon
The final stage of the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race, the 15 miles from Skellig Michael to the finish line on the north shore of Dingle Bay at the ampitheatre-like entrance to Dingle Harbour, may seem like an easy jaunt…
Determined Irish Sailors in the Tough Professional World of La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro
13th June 2019 Tom MacSweeney
“You need to be mentally strong for this type of sailing. You have to make tough decisions when you’re tired.” “Being by yourself, sailing solo, depends very much on the person and how you use your own resources,” The first…
Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race 2019 – Unpredictable Weather, Unpredictable Outcome
8th June 2019 W M Nixon
Will the Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race next Wednesday find itself sailing with mostly fair winds asks W M Nixon. Will the presence of lows to the west of them, and other lows to the southeast, provide a line…
“We’ll keep the tradition going. That’s the idea. We’ll carry on and keep traditional sailing going in Cork Harbour.” So said Rory Allen who, with his son Gearoid, is the proud new owner of a much-travelled dinghy, the French” boat…
Cork Harbour Olympic helmsman and Sailing Professional Mark Mansfield competed in May's Scottish Series and gives his views on the fleet at Tarbert. I raced as tactician on Stuart Cranston's new acquisition, The Ker 32, Hijacker from Strangford Lough. This boat was previously Checkmate which…
The Clyde Cruising Club’s Scottish Series has long been a happy hunting ground for Irish boats and crews writes W M Nixon. We remember with particular fondness the great days of the Royal Cork YC’s Corby 36 Antix, with which…
Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival Welcomes Restored Ilen Home to Her Birthplace After Historic Dublin Visit
25th May 2019 W M Nixon
Three million euro - every bit of €3 million writes W M Nixon. That’s what the late Theo Rye, internationally-recognised expert on the restoring and re-building of classic and traditional craft, reckoned that breathing new life into Ireland’s historic 56ft…
I met two wonderful sailors this week who, sailing around the world, have come to two conclusions about yachting. One is: “There is a significant amount of horse manure that abounds in the yachting world; it would be a great…
Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race 2019: The “Little Big One” With Everything
18th May 2019 W M Nixon
You’ll seldom if ever hear anyone who has actually done the biennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race dismissing it in an offhand way as some sort of Round Ireland Lite writes W M Nixon. It may only be 280…
According to the Government, as directed by the Dáil, Ireland is now in a climate emergency…added to which are biodiversity and marine eco problems… That crisis was declared within the parliamentary portals to which 158 TDs are elected to represent…
At a time when we’re constantly being warned in public life that we have to mark the current “Era of Centenaries” in a sensitive manner, it’s probably insensitive to respond by pointing out that the Irish sailing community is having…
Howth Yacht Club’s Mitsubishi Motors “Club of the Year” Award Honours a Very Special Organisation
4th May 2019 W M Nixon
Environmental awareness and sailing success to top international level were dynamically intertwined at this week’s official presentation of the Mitsubishi Motors “Sailing Club of the Year 2019” award to Howth Yacht Club writes W M Nixon The announcement that Howth…
Sailing is 'Under Pressure' & Needs Young People, Says Irish Sailing President
2nd May 2019 Tom MacSweeney
I like the direct approach of Irish Sailing President Jack Roy. He makes his points clearly, such as telling me that the sport is under pressure from other sports and needs more young people to become involved and ‘yes’ it…
The Golden Globe Race: Re-enactments of Great Sailing Achievements & Should The Past Be Left in Peace?
27th April 2019 Golden Globe Race
For those of us who find historical re-enactments to be slightly spooky, following the twists and turns of the Golden Globe Golden Jubilee Race through the latter half of 2018 and into the early months of 2019 has been -…