Displaying items by tag: Oyster Pearl

10th August 2023

Lough Erne's J24 Crazy Horse is 2023 Oyster Pearl Trophy Winner at Carlingford

The long trail for the crew of the J24 Crazy Horse from the western county of Fermanagh to Carlingford Lough in the east between County Down and County Louth was worthwhile as they went home with the top prize in the classic Oyster Pearl Regatta held last weekend. So too, was the John Conlon skippered Sun Fast 37 Humdinger, who made the long passage from Arklow.

A large fleet of thirteen cruisers came to the starting line in the first of six races in the 2023 event. In competition with local boats, visiting cruisers from Arklow SC and Lough Erne YC battled it out over the two days in a two-day programme with YTC and Echo handicaps being used which to determine results with the winner of YTC to lift the coveted Pearl Trophy and the Pearl Cup to be awarded to Echo winners.

Saturday’s weather provided testing conditions with rain and 11 to 18-knot northerly winds, and as expected, Luke Mc Bride’s very fast J24 Crazy Horse and last year’s winner, the Sunfast 37, Humdinger led the way with local cruisers Warrior, Piglet and Supersonic in hot pursuit. At the end of day one, Crazy Horse with two points, led by three points from Humdinger.

The Arklow crew of Humdinger were winners of the Oyster Pearl Echo Cup

On Sunday, squally north westerly winds, gusting 30 knots, kept the crews on their toes and after a delayed start for windward mark adjustment, racing got underway. Again the Arklow and Fermanagh crews led the way with the local pack on their heels. Bringing up the rear, Rowena, Xanadu, and Pandemonium were enjoying their own close racing battle.

With points tallied, it was the Luke McBride skippered Crazy Horse from LEYC, which was the worthy recipient of the 2023 Oyster Pearl Trophy. Last year’s winner, Humdinger, was pipped to second but had the consolation of winning the Pearl Cup on Echo. Brian Mc Conville’s J24 Piglet took a well-deserved third.

Moneley Oyster Pearl 2023 Results

Moneley Oyster Pearl Trophy (YTP) Crazy Horse Luke Mc Bride LEYC
2nd Humdinger John Conlon Arklow SC
3rd Piglet Brian Mc Conville CLYC
Oyster Pearl Cup (Echo) Humdinger John Conlon Arklow SC

Published in Racing

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Oyster Pearl

Moneley Oyster Pearl Regatta Crown Goes to Arklow Sunfast Humdinger

The inaugural Moneley Oyster Pearl regatta was held in 1979 and has been an enduring feature of sail racing in Carlingford Lough ever since, bar the Covid lockdown years. The people of Carlingford have been harvesting oysters since medieval times.

Last weekend saw the return of the regatta, which celebrated the renowned Oyster to the Lough, which lies on the border of Co Down and Co Louth between the Mourne and the Cooley Mountains, and it was far travelled Arklow competitors who made a big impression.

Glorious sunshine and a steady sea breeze gave perfect conditions for the event, which provided racing for dinghies, day boats and cruisers, with many visiting boats from as far away as Arklow in a stunning setting between the mountains.

Humdinger from Arklow

A fleet of twelve cruisers competed over four races for the coveted Pearl Trophy on a triangular port course in mid-Lough. The Race Officer was Brian McConville. John Conlon’s Sunfast 37 Humdinger from Arklow lived up to its name, taking line honours in all four races. Supersonic, Thomas Kearney’s Beneteau 25 Platu from Carlingford SC and the J92 J’zus Outhaul (Brian Dempsey, Arklow) took second and third respectively in the Echo 908 class and Dempsey won the CPH class.

The dinghy and day boat fleet raced on a course between Carlingford Marina and the entrance to Carlingford Harbour. The event combined single and doublehanded boats, with the results for each race being decided by the average lap time for each boat. The wind was light and variable in the morning, but racing got underway in a steady sea breeze after an hour’s delay. The leads changed frequently, and the final positions came down to the wire with seconds separating winners in each race. Flying Fifteens dominated the first race with the Commodore of Carlingford SC Diarmuid and Aine Gorman in Ffree Ranger first, followed by Jim Garvey and Johnny Duffy with Stephen Callan and Marcos Simpson third.

The single-handers fought back in the second race, with the honours going to Fiachra McCormick in a Laser with anger second and Donal McCormick taking third. This left it all to play for in the third and final race. After multiple changes of lead, the win eventually went to Fiachra McCormick (CSC), just ahead of his brother Dónal.

The prize for the double-handers went to Diarmuid, and Áine Gorman in Ffree Ranger and the single-hander prize went to Fiachra McCormick.

The overall Moneley Oyster Pearl Dinghy trophy came down to a countback as both Diarmuid and Áine, and Fiachra each had eight points; however, Fiachra’s two wins gave the decision in his favour and made him the Moneley Oyster Pearl Dinghy Champion for 2022.

Skipper John Conlon and the crew of Humdinger with the coveted Moneley Oyster Pearl Trophy. Photo: Mark Slater

The presentation ceremony took place at Carlingford Marina, courtesy of the Moneley family, who generously sponsored the event. It was agreed that the success of this year’s event would help to re-establish the Oyster Pearl as the premier cruiser regatta on Carlingford Lough.

Winners of the Adult Fleet, Diarmuid and Áine Gorman (Commodore of Carlingford Sailing Club) receiving their trophy from Mrs Pamela O’Connor Moneley

On Saturday next (20th), the fleet competes in the Warrenpoint Regatta for the Whistledown Trophy.

Published in Northern Ireland Waters

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Oyster Pearl Offers Big Carlingford Welcome

Every year sailors travel to Carlingford from all over Ireland and beyond (honourable mention here to our good friends from the Isle of Man) to participate in the annual Moneley Oyster Pearl Sailing Festival, which is scheduled to take place from Friday June 18th Saturday 19th June 2010.

Carlingford in County Louth is the mythic land of Setanta, Cúchulainn, Queen Medb and the Táin Bó Cúlainge. The club nestles at the foot of Slieve Foy, looks towards Carlingford Lough and the majestic mountains of Mourne.It is truly a land of legends.

Whilst competition on the water is always strong(Feeder Races on Friday and 3 Races on Saturday in IRC1/2 non IRC and White Sail), on dry land you will be assured of our warm hospitality, lots of fun and entertainment. Let us ply you with delicious Carlingford oysters washed down with a glass or two of finest Guinness whilst you relax and take in the glorious views of mountain and sea.

Carlingford has a myriad of attractions to offer visitors: golf, fishing, hill walking, horse trekking, adventure sports not to mention a host of great restaurants and cafes. Carlingford Lough has been chosen as a venue for pre-Olympic 2012 sail training,

So why not come and join us for a weekend – you never know you might decide to stay! Any queries please contact :

John Mc Kevitt Sailing Secretary and Oyster Pearl Chairman on 087/2499103 or Ian O Gorman Cruiser Fleet Captain on 087/2867747

Published in Maritime Festivals

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Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

From the Baily lighthouse to Dalkey island, the bay accommodates six separate courses for 21 different classes racing every two years for the Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

In assembling its record-breaking armada, Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta (VDLR) became, at its second staging, not only the country's biggest sailing event, with 3,500 sailors competing, but also one of Ireland's largest participant sporting events.

One of the reasons for this, ironically, is that competitors across Europe have become jaded by well-worn venue claims attempting to replicate Cowes and Cork Week.'Never mind the quality, feel the width' has been a criticism of modern-day regattas where organisers mistakenly focus on being the biggest to be the best. Dun Laoghaire, with its local fleet of 300 boats, never set out to be the biggest. Its priority focussed instead on quality racing even after it got off to a spectacularly wrong start when the event was becalmed for four days at its first attempt.

The idea to rekindle a combined Dublin bay event resurfaced after an absence of almost 40 years, mostly because of the persistence of a passionate race officer Brian Craig who believed that Dun Laoghaire could become the Cowes of the Irish Sea if the town and the local clubs worked together. Although fickle winds conspired against him in 2005, the support of all four Dun Laoghaire waterfront yacht clubs since then (made up of Dun Laoghaire Motor YC, National YC, Royal Irish YC and Royal St GYC), in association with the two racing clubs of Dublin Bay SC and Royal Alfred YC, gave him the momentum to carry on.

There is no doubt that sailors have also responded with their support from all four coasts. Running for four days, the regatta is (after the large mini-marathons) the single most significant participant sports event in the country, requiring the services of 280 volunteers on and off the water, as well as top international race officers and an international jury, to resolve racing disputes representing five countries. A flotilla of 25 boats regularly races from the Royal Dee near Liverpool to Dublin for the Lyver Trophy to coincide with the event. The race also doubles as a RORC qualifying race for the Fastnet.

Sailors from the Ribble, Mersey, the Menai Straits, Anglesey, Cardigan Bay and the Isle of Man have to travel three times the distance to the Solent as they do to Dublin Bay. This, claims Craig, is one of the major selling points of the Irish event and explains the range of entries from marinas as far away as Yorkshire's Whitby YC and the Isle of Wight.

No other regatta in the Irish Sea area can claim to have such a reach. Dublin Bay Weeks such as this petered out in the 1960s, and it has taken almost four decades for the waterfront clubs to come together to produce a spectacle on and off the water to rival Cowes."The fact that we are getting such numbers means it is inevitable that it is compared with Cowes," said Craig. However, there the comparison ends."We're doing our own thing here. Dun Laoghaire is unique, and we are making an extraordinary effort to welcome visitors from abroad," he added. The busiest shipping lane in the country – across the bay to Dublin port – closes temporarily to facilitate the regatta and the placing of six separate courses each day.

A fleet total of this size represents something of an unknown quantity on the bay as it is more than double the size of any other regatta ever held there.

Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta FAQs

What is Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Dun Laoghaire Regatta is Ireland's biggest sailing event. It is held every second Summer at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay.

When is Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Dun Laoghaire Regatta is held every two years, typically in the first weekend of July.

Where is Dun Laoghaire Regatta held?

As its name suggests, the event is based at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Racing is held on Dublin Bay over as many as six different courses with a coastal route that extends out into the Irish Sea. Ashore, the festivities are held across the town but mostly in the four organising yacht clubs.

How big is Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Dun Laoghaire Regatta is the largest sailing regatta in Ireland and on the Irish Sea and the second largest in the British Isles. It has a fleet of 500 competing boats and up to 3,000 sailors. Scotland's biggest regatta on the Clyde is less than half the size of the Dun Laoghaire event. After the Dublin city marathon, the regatta is one of the most significant single participant sporting events in the country in terms of Irish sporting events.

How old is Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

The modern Dublin Bay Regatta began in 2005, but it owes its roots to earlier combined Dublin Bay Regattas of the 1960s.

How many boats compete at Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Up to 500 boats regularly compete.

How many yacht clubs are represented at Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Up to 70 different yacht clubs are represented.

Where do the yachts come from to compete at Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

The Channel Islands, Isle of Man, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland countrywide, and Dublin clubs.

How many boats are visiting boats at Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Nearly half the sailors, over 1,000, travel to participate from outside of Dun Laoghaire and from overseas to race and socialise in Dun Laoghaire.

What type of yachts race in Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

21 different classes are competing at Dun Laoghaire Regatta. As well as four IRC Divisions from 50-footers down to 20-foot day boats and White Sails, there are also extensive one-design keelboat and dinghy fleets to include all the fleets that regularly race on the Bay such as Beneteau 31.7s, Ruffian 23s, Sigma 33s as well as Flying Fifteens, Laser SB20s plus some visiting fleets such as the RS Elites from Belfast Lough to name by one.

What famous sailors race in Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Some sailing household names are regular competitors at the biennial Dun Laoghaire event including Dun Laoghaire Olympic silver medalist, Annalise Murphy. International sailing stars are competing too such as Mike McIntyre, a British Olympic Gold medalist and a raft of World and European class champions.

How much does it cost to enter Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

There are different entry fees for different size boats. A 40-foot yacht will pay up to €550, but a 14-foot dinghy such as Laser will pay €95. Full entry fee details are contained in the Regatta Notice of Race document.

Where can spectators view Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Spectators can see the boats racing on six courses from any vantage point on the southern shore of Dublin Bay. As well as from the Harbour walls itself, it is also possible to see the boats from Sandycove, Dalkey and Killiney, especially when the boats compete over inshore coastal courses or have in-harbour finishes.

How does Dun Laoghaire regatta compare to international regattas?

Very favourably. It is often compared to Cowes, Britain's biggest regatta on the Isle of Wight that has 1,000 entries. However, sailors based in the north of England have to travel three times the distance to get to Cowes as they do to Dun Laoghaire.

Why is Dun Laoghaire Regatta so unique?

Dun Laoghaire Regatta is unique because of its compact site offering four different yacht clubs within the harbour and the race tracks' proximity, just a five-minute sail from shore. International sailors also speak of its international travel connections and being so close to Dublin city. The regatta also prides itself on balancing excellent competition with good fun ashore.

Who organises Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

The Organising Authority (OA) of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta is Dublin Bay Regattas Ltd, a not-for-profit company, beneficially owned by Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC), National Yacht Club (NYC), Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC) and Royal St George Yacht Club (RSGYC).

What does Dun Laoghaire Regatta contribute to the local economy?

The Irish Marine Federation launched a case study on the 2009 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta's socio-economic significance. Over four days, the study (carried out by Irish Sea Marine Leisure Knowledge Network) found the event was worth nearly €3million to the local economy over the four days of the event. Typically the Royal Marine Hotel and Haddington Hotel and other local providers are fully booked for the event.