Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Jimmy Furey, who has died at the age of 94 was very probably the finest boatbuilder of his generation. He was also a man strong-willed enough to do what very few of others ever do and live life totally on…

A funding package of up €70 million has been approved by Government to support the sport sector emerging from the coronavirus shutdown. This funding package will support the sport sector through: funding of up to €40 million for the three…

RTÉ News reports that the bodies of a father and son have been recovered from Lough Keel in Co Donegal. A major search and rescue operation was launched yesterday afternoon (Thursday 18 June) after a report that two people were…

A ‘Green New Deal’, protections for Ireland’s fishing sector and a successor to Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth with a greater focus on sustainability are among the promises included in the draft Programme for Government published this afternoon (Monday 15 June),…

High performance sport receives an emphasis in the draft Programme for Government published this afternoon (Monday 15 June) after the leaders of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party reached agreement following marathon weekend talks. Under the heading ‘High…

The latest edition of The Ocean Race’s Off Watch video interview series sits down with Damian Foxall, Irish veteran of the yachting challenge formerly known as the Volvo Ocean Race. Kerryman Damian Foxall has competed in the round-the-world race six…

A new docudrama telling the story of a Spanish Armada captain shipwrecked in Sligo launches tonight (Friday 22 May) as a digital download. Armada 1588: Shipwreck & Survival follows the tale of Captain Francisco de Cuéllar, who washed ashore on…

The death of Bruce Lyster of Dun Laoghaire at the age of 78 is the sad loss to the Irish sailing community - and our maritime world generally - of a multi-talented figure who combined exceptional abilities in the financial…

To mark Poetry Day Ireland tomorrow (Thursday 30 April), the Marine Institute is sharing a selection of poems that celebrate the power of our seas and oceans. The State agency for marine research will join Poetry Ireland’s annual celebration of…

Irishman Ronan O’Rahilly, the founder of the celebrated pirate radio station Radio Caroline, has died at the age of 79. Mr O’Rahilly revolutionised commercial radio in 1964 when he set up Radio Caroline outside UK territorial waters and broadcast to…

The Government is preparing for a 'controlled and gradual return to sport' and the 2020 sailing fixtures are being tentatively redrafted by yacht clubs across Ireland as the country enters a new phase in dealing with the Coronavirus. The Taoiseach told the…

Government is seeking input from sports bodies – including sailing – as to how a 'gradual and controlled' return to activities can be achieved. Yesterday, the Taoiseach told the Dáil that the Government would like to set out a roadmap…

Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers Ireland reports that gowns (pictured above) made at his Crosshaven sail loft are destined for care homes and GP surgeries across the country in the fight against COVID-19. 'Our not-for-Profit makeshift gown making endeavour has…

UK Sailmakers in Cork Harbour have busy fulfilling the many orders for gowns for healthcare workers in the frontline against COVID-19. As Afloat reported previously, sailmaker Barry Hayes and his team at Crosshaven have been deploying their resources to help make…

Crew of the LÉ Eithne, which EchoLive.ie reported earlier today, have been tasked to deliver personal protective equipment to HSE locations across Cork city. The Naval Service vessel is docked in Cork city since March 20, awaiting a tasking from the HSE…

Sailing clubs and centres in England are already beginning to benefit from the £22 billion grant and business rates package recently announced by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the RYA says. Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure industry, such as…