Displaying items by tag: ferry reopens

5th April 2023

Valentia Island Ferry Returns With Seasonal Service Today

In scenic west Co. Kerry the Valentia Island car-ferry started today with the resumption of the seasonal service which runs from April to October, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The ferry service which is near Cahirciveen on the Iveragh Peninsula, connects Renard on the mainland to Knightstown on the east of Valentia Island, part of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Operating the route is Valentia Island Ferries with their God Mets On III that plies on the five-minute route which is based on a continuous shuttle service throughout the day.

Domestic and tourist vehicles using the 43m double-ended ferry include cars, MPV's, motorhomes, campers, mini-buses, cars with caravans and trailers, commercial vans, motorbikes. In addition to conveying bicyles and foot passengers.

The veteran vessel built in 1963 had originally served in The Netherlands across the River Maas until replaced by a bridge. Since 1996 the ferry has operated to Valentia which is approximately 11kms in length and 3 kms wide.

The 95 gross tonnage ferry runs the first and final crossings each day from Knightstown.

It was here in 1858 when HMS Agamemnon landed the first transatlantic telegraph cable, linking Knightstown to Hearts Content Newfoundland, Canada.

To the west of Knightstown at Cromwell Point is Valentia Island Lighthouse, the most westerly harbour light on the island of Ireland. It is a tourist attraction and is open to bookings.

On the middle of the island is Geokaun Mountain and cliffs, the highest point of the Island with stunning panoramic views of Kerry which have been designated as a Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way.

A road runs along about two-thirds of the island from Knightstown to a bridge on the south of the island. The bridge which opened in 1970 connects to Portmagee on the mainland.

Prior to the completion of the bridge, a passenger/cargo ran between Reenard Point and Knightstown.

Published in Ferry

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.