Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Rescue Young Girl From Back of East Pier
7th April 2024 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
On Saturday night, a young girl was rescued from the sea at Dún Laoghaire Harbour in south County Dublin, thanks to a multi-agency rescue operation involving the Coast Guard, RNLI and gardaí. The incident occurred at around 8.20 pm off…
Welsh ILCA7 Sailor Micky Beckett Tops 193-Boat Fleet With a Day to Spare in Mallorca
7th April 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
The British Sailing Team’s Micky Beckett scored a crucial victory in the countdown to Paris 2024, winning the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma for the third consecutive year. Beckett, 29, dominated the men’s dinghy class at the traditional Olympic classes…
Over 34,000 homes and businesses are reported to have suffered power outages due to Storm Kathleen, as southerly to south-westerly gale force winds swept across the western seaboard. In Galway, the sea breached the Salthill promenade, flooding the Toft carpark…
An 'ugly' sea state and a gale warning in operation have led to the cancellation of the second day of racing at Kinsale Yacht Club's Axiom April League on the south coast. The league began last weekend for mixed cruisers…
The annual Dive Ireland Expo is running this weekend at the Sport Ireland Campus near Blanchardstown in West Dublin. Organisers at Viking Sub Aqua Club promise “the biggest dive show ever”, with SCUBA diving featured along with snorkelling, free diving…
The Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister for Defence yesterday officially announced the names of the two newest additions to the Naval Service fleet, which had been purchased from the New Zealand Government. The Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) named the LÉ…
Storm Kathleen Concludes 2024 Irish Sailing Youth Nationals Early in Cork Harbour
6th April 2024 Youth Sailing
Not many were surprised when the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships, which have been taking place at the Royal Cork Yacht Club since Thursday, concluded early due to the landing of Storm Kathleen and a deteriorating forecast for the following…
Cockle Island Boat Club Honours Three of its Original Founding Members at Mayor’s Reception
6th April 2024 Belfast Lough
The Eagle Wing emigrant ship is reputed to have sailed from Groomsport on the south. shore of Belfast Lough in 1636 with 140 passengers and was the first attempt by Ulster-Scots folks to emigrate to America. At 140 tons, it…
Swan 40 with an Enviable Racing Record Enters June's Bangor Regatta
6th April 2024 Bangor Town Regatta
Racing at Bangor Regatta in June promises to be keener than ever with the appearance in the Coastal IRC and YTC class of not one but two Swans. The Swan 40 Sloop John T is better known outside Northern Ireland…
This weekend is expected to see the Entry List for the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race on June 22nd going through the 40 mark, with a good selection of boats already providing a healthy mix of internationally-renowned craft lining up…
As Storm Kathleen is forecast to sweep up the Atlantic seaboard, Aran Ferries has cancelled a number of sailings to the Aran islands this weekend. The company which runs its ferry service from Ros-a-Mhíl, Co Galway, says there will be…
ILCA 7 Welsh Wizard Micky Beckett Claims Sofia Hat-Trick in Mallorca
5th April 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Great Britain’s Micky Beckett has won ILCA 7 gold with a day to spare, on day five of the World Cup Series at the 53 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca by Iberostar. Matching Beckett’s feat and conquering the Nacra 17 mixed…
Storm Kathleen has prompted Galway City Council to close access to roads and car parks and to distribute sandbags to areas vulnerable to potential flooding. A yellow wind warning for Ireland has already been issued by Met Éireann for the…
It seems that the Irish Sailing League is going to be a big success this year! We're receiving a lot of enquiries and entries on our website, and we're expecting to reach our maximum capacity of 16 boats very soon.…
Friday Racing at Irish Sailing Youth National Championships is Cancelled Due To Strong Winds at Royal Cork Yacht Club
5th April 2024 Youth Sailing
The second day of racing at the 2024 Irish Sailing Youth National Championships at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour has been cancelled due to strong winds. Organisers completed a successful first day of races on Thursday for over 90 boats and…
Dubarry of Ireland Launches The Genoa Sun Hat - A Must-Have for Boaters
5th April 2024 Marine Clothing
Sailing enthusiasts know that the sun's UV rays can be particularly harsh when out on the water. That's why a reliable sun hat is an essential part of any boater's kit. But not just any hat will do. It needs…
Irish Offshore Racer Tom Dolan to Compete in a Transatlantic Race on Class40 Boat Amarris
5th April 2024 Tom Dolan
Irish offshore solo racer Tom Dolan is taking advantage of a break in the Figaro circuit to participate in a new crewed Class40 race - the Niji 40. Dolan is a key member of a three-strong international crew, skippered by…
Marker Buoy From Gulf of Mexico Washes Ashore in Wexford After 17 Years Adrift
5th April 2024 Coastal Notes
A marker buoy that washed ashore in Co Wexford this week has been traced to as far away as the US state of Louisiana. The large metal buoy was found on Wednesday (3 April) on the coast at Ballymoney near…
Applications Open for Active Clubs Grants From RYA Northern Ireland
5th April 2024 RYA Northern Ireland
RYA Northern Ireland has launched its Active Clubs Grants scheme, which offers funding for Northern Ireland clubs aiming to grow and retain their membership. Priority will be given to clubs who are running programmes for women and girls, people with…
Dublin Bay's Van Steenberge and Riordan Take the 29er Lead at Irish Sailing Youth Nationals in Crosshaven
5th April 2024 Youth Sailing
Over 90 boats and more than 100 sailors competed on a wet opening Thursday at the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships ahead of Storm Kathleen's expected arrival in Cork Harbour this weekend. The Royal Cork Yacht Club-hosted event saw three dinghy…