Foynes Yacht Club Looks Back on Fifty Years Sailing on the Shannon Estuary

23rd May 2012

#FOYNES YC – On Sunday last Foynes Yacht Club on the Shannon Estuary celebrated Commodore's Day, which was a very nostalgic event, because a special handsewn tapestry with the club logo, and with the words 'Foynes yacht club' and the year when the club started 1962-2012 were specially embroided by Teresa Kirwan, who received a lot of praise from all who attended on the day writes Gerry Ryan.

A course for racing was set by Officer of the Day, Alan McEneff in the harbour area for all classes, and all boats were decked out with bunting to add colour to the proceedings.

Unfortunately, the race had to be abandoned due to the lack of wind.

Nevertheless, it was a very nostalgic day, because past Commodore's received gold medals to commemorate their achievement's in the club over the last 50 years.

The former Commodore's who were presented with specially commissioned medals were Bobby Mulrooney, David Floyd, Jim Collier, Charlie McGibney, Paddy McNamara, Pat Moran, John Conway, Frank Dennison, Pat Finucane, and present Commodore Tom Murray.

Commodore Tom Murray in his opening remarks spoke about the vision and philosophy that the former Commodore's who came before him achieved in getting sailor's and member's to join this great club.

He said Foynes Yacht Club could not go on except for the member's volunteering in taking on different tasks during the year to ensure the club stood up to the test of time.

'Training for the juveniles has been to the forefront of the club for a number of year's, and this is going from strength to strength, the youht's are the backbone to every club, and it is great to see so many of them here today', added the Commodore.

In his closing remarks Commodore Murray spoke about the West of Ireland Offshore Championships, which he hoped to have 50 boats for this occasion to coincide with our golden jubilee. The championships are scheduled to take place in July.

The annual blessing of the boats was performed by Fr. Noonan, P.P., Foynes, and after this ceremony a Bar-B-Que was held on the club lawn, where chef's Donal McCormack, John-Paul Buckley, Paddy McSweeney, Bev Lowes and Alan McEneff cooked to the delights of the hungry member's and friend's. Well done to the social committee in preparing the salads to accompany the burgers.

This weekend we will be hosting to first leg of the Estuary Bell, two races are down for Saturday and one on Sunday. Class 1, 2 and White Sails will be competeing for the coveted trophy, and it is envisaged that a good number of craft will be sailing. Present weather indications are for the settled weather to continue.

Published in Shannon Estuary

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Shannon Foynes Port Information

Shannon Foynes Port (SFPC) are investing in an unprecedented expansion at its general cargo terminal, Foynes, adding over two-thirds the size of its existing area. In the latest phase of a €64 million investment programme, SFPC is investing over €20 million in enabling works alone to convert 83 acres on the east side of the existing port into a landbank for marine-related industry, port-centric logistics and associated infrastructure. The project, which will be developed on a phased basis over the next five years, will require the biggest infrastructure works programme ever undertaken at the port, with the entire 83 acre landbank having to be raised by 4.4 metres. The programme will also require the provision of new internal roads and multiple bridge access as well as roundabout access.