Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Ireland is a nation which has been slow to recognise its maritime resources and its international maritime achievements made by Irish sailors. This I was reminded about again this week. But there are indications of changes for the better, driven…
With something like 25 seriously-campaigned J/109s around Ireland and throughout the Irish Sea, obviously you wouldn’t expect every boat to be heading for this weekend’s Irish Open Nationals in Dun Laoghaire. But by any standards a crack fleet of 15…
A group of Royal St. George Yacht Club members have 'joined together' to purchase Irish Sailing's ten-year-old J80 fleet on behalf of the Dun Laoghaire harbour Club. The Royal St. George Yacht Club was one of several bidders for the…
Stoppages in Catalonia after independence poll violence has affected the Laser European Championships in Barcelona today. Irish sailors, including Aoife Hopkins, who won the U21 Euro title in July, competing at the event are staying about eight km from the centre of Barcelona. Hopkins,…
#SkelligMichael - Skellig Michael’s visitor season, which closes today (Tuesday 3 October), may be extended to cater for “exceptional” demand. RTÉ News reports that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed it is reviewing a possible extension to the…
#CliffsOfMoher - An inquest into the death of a BASE jumper at the Cliffs of Moher earlier this year has heard how his parachute opened in the wrong direction as he was in free fall from the top of the…
Shannon Navigation Winter Mooring Period Commences on 1st Nov 2017
3rd October 2017 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland is advising masters that the winter mooring period for public harbours on the above navigation will commence on 1st Nov 2017 and end on the 31st Mar 2018. Masters are advised that the associated charges, €63.50, must be…
Meet Ireland's Newest Yacht Club – Blackrock Sailing Club Goes Afloat on the River Lee
3rd October 2017 Sailing Clubs
Blackrock Sailing Club on the River Lee in Cork Harbour became Ireland's newest sailing club last month when the new facility set sail in a fleet of refurbished Firefly dinghies operating from the pier at Blackrock village. At this stage…
Danish Shipping Giant DFDS Takes Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator title at World Travel Awards
3rd October 2017 Ferry
#ferrynews - Danish shipping transport giant, DFDS has been named Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator for the sixth year in a row at the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony. Breaking Travel News writes that DFDS beat four rival ferry operators…
Four Irish Men to Row The Atlantic for Cork University Hospital (CUH) Charity
3rd October 2017 Coastal Rowing
Cork University Hospital (CUH) is to receive vital funds as four Irish men compete in a 5,500km (3,000 nautical miles) rowing challenge across the Atlantic on December 12th to raise over €20,000 for the hospital’s Children’s Unit. The team, dubbed…
New Book Recalls Era of Dublin Docker - Painting A Life of Hardship & Humour
3rd October 2017 Book Review
Dublin Port Company today hosts the launch of The Dublin Docker, Working Lives of Dublin’s Deep - Sea Port, an illustrated book which recalls the era when thousands of men unloaded and loaded the ships by hand on Dublin Docks.…
The Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire will host try-out sessions in the 29er youth skiff class this coming weekend. There'll be one hour try–out slots available with experienced 29er sailors on hand to assist. There will also…
Against many weather predictions, summer-like conditions at Howth Yacht Club blessed the third weekend of the Autumn League on Saturday afternoon with warm weather, increasingly bright sunshine, and an improving sailing breeze from south to southeast as the programme developed…
Portrush RNLI in 15 hour Call Out to Rescue Six Fishermen From 15m Boat with Engine Failure (VIDEO)
2nd October 2017 RNLI Lifeboats
Portrush RNLI has rescued six fishermen during what was a 15 hour call out for the volunteers in rough weather conditions after the fishing boat sustained engine failure off the Donegal coast. The lifeboat crew was requested by Belfast Coastguard…
The Royal Ocean Racing Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Stone as the new Racing Manager from mid-November 2017. He will succeed Nick Elliott at the international members' club based in London and Cowes. Chris from Australia…
'Atlantic Europe' New Name Given to Serve Cruise Region Ports Under Single Umbrella Group
2nd October 2017 Cruise Liners
#cruiseliners - Atlantic Europe is the new name being given to serve the Cruise Europe region following a joint announcement made during Seatrade Europe in Hamburg, Germany. The announcement by Cruise Europe (CE) and the Atlantic Alliance (AA) follows a…
#islandnews - News that a new ferry has been sanctioned for Tory Island off Co. Donegal has been welcomed – but there are still concerns over what vessel will be used until the new ferry comes on line. According to…
#ARC - Ripped sails and breakages caused by chafe were the most common repairs required by transatlantic cruisers in last year’s ARC rally. That’s according to a survey by Yachting World to detail the kinds of breakages experienced at sea…
Moth Sailor Harvey Reigns Supreme on Dublin Bay, Fitzpatrick Keeps Irish Title
2nd October 2017 Moth
Visiting UK foiling sailor Ross Harvey continued his winning ways at the 2017 Irish Moth National Championships, hosted by National Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire in County Dublin at the weekend. As Afloat.ie reported earlier, Harvey had built an early lead in…
#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats launched yesterday afternoon (Sunday 1 October) after a 9m yacht with three people on board was reported to have lost its mast and rigging while racing in Wicklow Bay. The all-weather lifeboat…