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Andrea Brewster & Saskia Tidey, Olympic 49erFX Sailing Campaigners for Rio 2016

Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey are full time sailors campaigning to represent Ireland at the Rio 2016 Olympics, with the ambition of bringing home a medal in the 49erFX class. For the latest news campaign news click here Team Brewster/Tidey…

Finn Lynch, Olympic Laser Sailing Campaigner for Rio 2016

When Finn Lynch won the Silver at 2012's ISAF Youth Worlds in Dublin Bay, it was the maturity of the 16-year-old's approach which drew the most favourable comment. The following September, at the ripe old age of 17, he was…

The Irish Maritime Web Awards

Recognising excellence in Irish marine communications in the digital age. Awards will be made for websiteexcellence in the following categories:SailingWatersportIndustryClubsClassesSafetyInlandPortsEnvironment We want you to nominate your favourite marine based website to be included in the awards. You can…

Peter O'Leary and David Burrows

When Peter O'Leary (29) and David Burrows (34) came ashore in Miami last month having taken silver for the second time at the Bacardi Cup, the London Olympic pair showed the depth of their ambition when they left the venue…

Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern

Now ranked 17th in the world Belfast pair Ryan Seaton (23) and Matthew McGovern (25) shot to prominence at the ISAF World Championships in Perth last December sailing to a level some never expected in this high speed dinghy class.…

Irish Olympic Sailing News

Get the very latest news stories about the Irish Olympic Sailing Team right on Afloat's dedicated Olympic aggregate news page. Afloat covers all the Olympic classes relevant to Ireland and our stories cover the road to Olympic qualification right through…

Ger Owens & Scott Flanigan - 470 Class

Youth and experience combined to crew Ireland's 470 trapeze dinghy in Weymouth. Double Olympian in the 470 class (Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004)and winner of two races at the Olympics in China, many would have expected Ger Owens of Dun…

Irish Olympic Sailing Team

The Irish Olympic Sailing Team comprises of 5 different classes, and includes some big names and personalities. We have all the Irish Team information here. Click the links to the left for more information about separate classes and team members.

Afloat/Irish Independent Sailor of the Month

Created in 1996, the Afloat Sailor of the Year Awards represent all that is praiseworthy, innovative and groundbreaking in the Irish sailing scene. This is a national award especially designed to salute the achievements of Ireland's sailing's elite. Over nearly…

Olympic Games Rio 2016

The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, is a major international multi-sport event due to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games, as governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The host…

Advertise on Afloat.ie, Irish Sailing, Boating and Maritime Magazine

Advertising and Sponsorship We work closely with sponsors and advertisers whose content, products and services will interest our community. We provide sponsorship opportunities on the Afloat website every month and also have tailored sponsorship opportunities built around events. We do…

Where to Buy Afloat Magazine. Ireland's Sailing, Boating and Maritime Publication

Afloat recommends dropping into your local chandlery to pick up a copy of the mag but failing that below is a list of newsagents where you can pick up Afloat. It's not exhaustive - and we're compiling a more comprehensive…

Annalise Murphy

Sailing for as long as she can remember, going out and crewing for her mother in her Hurricane at the early age of 6. She started sailing oppy’s when only 10 years of age followed by laser 4.7’s, mirrors and…

Irish Rowing News. Rowing Clubs, Regattas, Sculling & Coastal Rowing

Afloat's rowing coverage encompasses the widest range of activities undertaken on Irish lakes, rivers and coastal waters. We aim to bring jargon free reports separated in to popular categories to promote the sport in Ireland. Click this link for the…

Business

From tourism to trade news, property, jobs and careers - this section of the website covers everything anyone in the business of sailing needs to know! If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please…

Irish Sailing and Boating Regattas and Maritime Events

Reporting on the latest race news and regatta information is the one of the most important aspects of the Afloat.ie website. This page covers everything from round the world race stopovers, the arrival of the Tall Ships as well as…

Afloat Magazine. Ireland's Sailing, Boating and Maritime Publication

Afloat now in its 43rd year of production is a vibrant specialist magazine which has continually adapted to the demands of its readership, with an industry insight which is quite simply unique. Edited by David O'Brien (47), a former European…

National Watersports Campus, Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Stakeholders combined forces in 2019 to promote a project to improve the Harbour’s infrastructure resulting in improved access, job creation and greater tourism potential.

A grant application to government made by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCoCo) assisted by stakeholders was successful with the announcement of a €400k feasibility study grant from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) in January 2020.

It meant plans for the €8m National Watersports Campus at Dun Laoghaire Harbour got the green light from Government and came a step closer to reality.

The project recognises deficits in the current set up in the harbour, proposing the construction of an all-tide publicly-accessible slipway (none currently in the Greater Dublin Area) as well as a marine services facility, providing a much-needed home for the supporting industry.

The campus also seeks to provide a marketing framework to make boating more accessible to the general public.

The benefits of such an increase might be obvious for the Dun Laoghaire waterfront but there are other spin-offs for the harbour town in the creation of the sort of jobs that cannot be shipped abroad.

Centre for Community Watersports activity and public slipway

High-Performance coaching centre

Flexible Event Space for hosting national and international events

Multipurpose Building

Campus Marketing and Promotional Centre

Accommodation for Irish Sailing and Irish Underwater Council

Shared NGB Facility

Education Centre for schools, community groups and clubs

Proposed site – Carlisle Pier

Watersports Campus FAQs

What is the National Watersports Campus Project?

Similar to the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, the watersports campus will provide quality, public, recreational and high-performance facilities for the many watersports participants. The Campus will considerably enhance the services currently provided by more than 30 clubs and activity centres to over 50,000 annual users of the harbour.

Why has the Watersports Campus project come about now for Dun Laoghaire Harbour?

The passing of control of the harbour to DLRCC, the public appetite for a community benefitting project and the capital funding for sports infrastructure in the Project 2040 National Plan have aligned to create an opportunity to deliver this proposal.

What organisations are promoting the Watersports Campus project?

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) and the Irish Sailing Association (Irish Sailing) are the project leads, endorsed by the National Governing Bodies of other Irish watersports and clubs and activity providers.

What is LSSIF?

The National Sports Policy, published in 2018, established the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to provide Exchequer support for sports facility projects. In some cases, these may be projects where the primary objective will be to increase active participation in sport. In other cases, these may be venues where the focus is more related to high-performance sport.

What funds have been allocated to the LSSIF?

Government has allocated at least €100m over the term to 2027 to successful applicant projects.

Is the National Watersports Campus a beneficiary of the LSSIF?

The Watersports Campus was one of seven successful applicants for Stream 1 funding allowing planning to commence on the project design and feasibility. €442,000 has been granted in this phase.

What are the key elements of the Watersports Campus project?

NThe project will provide for a municipally-owned public access facility to include a small craft slipway that is accessible at all stages of the tide (currently none in public ownership in the greater Dublin area), storage and lock-up resources, watersports event management space, a high-performance centre and NGB accommodation.

What other benefits are envisaged with the Watersports Campus?

The project aims to enhance the profile of Dun Laoghaire as a major international venue for maritime events, shows and conferences. Establish Dun Laoghaire as the 'go-to place' for anything marine – generating revenues Create employment in the county - attract businesses, visitors and events. Grow the market for watersports Promote the services of activity providers to the public. Complement the plan to develop Dun Laoghaire as a 'destination.'

What are the next steps in the Campus project?

As of January 1 2021, The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has approved the applicant project and DLRCC are expected to appoint a team to further advance the project.