The National Yacht Club's annual Sailing Awards Dinner was held at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Saturday night. The event saw the presentation of fifteen awards for outstanding sailing achievements.
The club's Commodore, Peter Sherry, awarded the prizes to several deserving recipients, including international yachtsmen and women, international skiff performers, Olympians, youth sailors and administrators.
The East Pier club was filled with applause and cheers as the club's sailing stars were recognized for their remarkable achievements in 2023.
The awards were:
The Boyne Regatta Cup – for best performance in offshore racing of the year
Will Byrne
For his professional achievements on offshore one-design circuits (Swan 36, Cape 31, Mills 41 and many other offshore yachts), including third place overall in the Sydney Hobart race this year on mini-maxi ‘Moneypenny’.
The Concorde Plate – for circumnavigating Ireland
Tom Dolan
For his two Round Ireland Record attempts and finishing in second place in the Solitaire du Figaro into Kinsale, the highest place achieved ever by a non-French competitor.
The O’Leary Cup – for best performance of the year in one designs
Clementine and Nathan Van Steenberge
For winning the 29er World Championships 2023
The O’Leary Cup (1945) was awarded to Clementine and Nathan Van Steenberge who achieved the best performance of the year in one designs Photo: Michael Chester
The Edward Yacht Club Trophy – for best performance of the year in dinghies, Mermaids or Flying Fifteens
Noel Butler
For his successes in the RS Aero Class, including:
- Winning DSBC Tuesday and Saturday series, awarded DBSC Premier Awards, the Dr. Alf Delany Memorial Cup for the most successful Dinghy of the season
- Winning the 2022/2023 DMYC Frostbite (PY Class)
- 2nd RS Aero National Championships (hosted at NYC)
- 2nd RS Aero 2023 Aero Traveller series
- 2nd RS Aero 2023 US Midwinter Championships, Davis Island YC, Florida
The Edward Yacht Club Trophy (1919) was awarded to Noel Butler who achieve the best NYC performance of the year in dinghies, Mermaids or Flying Fifteens Photo: Michael Chester
John Byrne Memorial Trophy – for the greatest contribution to sailing in the NYC during the year
Adam Winkelmann
Adam was presented with the trophy by two of the late John Byrne's sons, Martin and Rory, for organising yet another edition of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race
The John Byrne Memorial Trophy (1989) was presented by Martin (left) and Rory Byrne to Adam Winkelmann (centre) Photo: Michael Chester
The Winkelmann Trophy – for Cadet(s) of the year
Ethan Spain and Ben O’Shaughnessy
For their amazing campaign in the 29er Class:
- 29er European champion
- Bronze medalist youth worlds (29er class)
- 29er national champion
- 29er youth nationals champion
- Runner up UK Open nationals
- Runner up Eurocup finals (Garda)
The Winkelmann Trophy (2003) was awarded to the Cadet Member who has had the finest sailing achievement of the year Ethan Spain (right) and Ben O’Shaughnessy (not in picture) and presented by Adam Winkelmann Photo: Michael Chester
The Greystones 1892 Regatta Cup – for the team who represented the Club with distinction
Ann Kirwan and her Ruffian 23 crew
For their performance in Hong Kong in winning the Trieniel Interport Ruffian 2023 Championships
The Greystones 1892 Regatta Cup was awarded to Ann Kirwan and her Crew for best representing the Club at a team event during the year Photo: Michael Chester
The Paul Murphy Cup – for the sailing management volunteer of the year
Michael Conway
For selflessly volunteering as race officer at several events in his first year of membership of the Club.
The Township Cup – for the best cruise of the year
Paul Barrington
For his cruise on the catamaran ‘Jadamama’ from St. Lucia through the Panama Canal, Columbia, The Galapagos Islands and on to Polynesia.
The Township Cup (1927) is awarded to Paul Barrington, the member who achieved the best cruise of the year Photo: Michael Chester
The Muglins Cup – for the most interesting family cruise
Grace, Hugh, Gemma, Johnnie and Frank Cassidy
Frank cruised down the west coast of France, Portugal and on to the Canary Islands and to the Azores accompanied for various legs by members of the Cassidy family for which the ICC awarded him the Wild Goose Cup
The Muglins Cup (1949) is awarded to the most interesting family cruise of the year Grace,(not in Photo) Hugh, Gemma, Johnnie, John Joe and Frank Cassidy and presented by NYC Commodore, Peter Sherry Photo: Michael Chester
Martin Crotty Trophy Award – for a younger member who shows sailing endeavour
Oisin Cullen
For his tireless work and commitment to promoting and developing Match Racing in the Club and nationwide
The Martin Crotty Cup (2017) is awarded to the younger member(s) who show outstamding sailing endeavour and in 2023 went to Oisin Cullen. The trophy was presented by Sabine Sarr Photo: Michael Chester
The Wild Geese Trophy – for The Overseas member who achieves the best performance in racing or distinguishes himself/herself in sailing
Mark O’Connor
For his continuing French sailing adventure, where he is preparing for the 2025 Mini Transat – 2023 saw another year of challenging sailing and more learning, culminating in Marks's involvement in the recent Transat Jacques Vabre. He is now ranked 55 out of 340 Class Mini competitors and rising steadily. Mark is such an inspiration to other young sailors and a fantastic ambassador for the NYC.
The Wild Geese Trophy (2018) is awarded to Mark O’Connor, the Overseas member who achieved the best performance in racing Photo: Michael Chester
The Sue McDonnell Trophy – for the female club member who has contributed most to the advancement of women in sailing
Aisling Murphy
For her continuous volunteering for and active sailing participation across all classes and members age groups.
The Sue Mc Donnell Trophy (2019) is awarded to the female club member who has contributed most to the advancement of women in sailing and went to Aisling Murphy (Rosemary Cadogan Vice Commodore – received the trophy on behalf of Aisling) and it was presented by Fiona Mc Donnell Photo: Michael Chester
The Totterdell Trophy – for the member who has contributed most to promoting and developing the Laser class in the club
Finn Lynch
For his 2023 campaign on the International ILCA 7 circuit, resulting in qualifying Ireland for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the most competitive sailing class. Lynch went on to win the Irish trial at the ILCA 7 Europeans, where he won a bronze medal and earned the Irish nomination for Paris in February 2024 in Athens.
The Totterdell Trophy (2020) is awarded to the NYC member who has contributed most to promoting and developing the Laser class in the Club. Finn Lynch (accepted by Peter Sherry on Finn’s behalf) and presented by Eddie Totterdell Photo: Michael Chester
The Jack Roy Flying Fifteen Trophy – for the best-placed NYC flying fifteen in the Championships of Ireland
Ian Matthews & Keith Poole
For second overall and best NYC boat in the Flying Fifteen Championships of Ireland 2023 in Co. Antrim
The Jack Roy Memorial Trophy (2023) was presented by Peter Sherry, NYC Commodore to the best-placed NYC Flying Fifteen in the Championship of Ireland to Ian Mathews (left) and Keith Poole (right) Photo: Michael Chester
The Commodore’s Cup
Rebecca Hall
For her leadership and commitment to Junior Sailing in NYC and her contribution to sailing on the water.
Commodore’s Award Rebecca Hall has been awarded the Commodore’s Prize, presented by Peter Sherry, NYC Commodore, for her leadership and commitment to junior sailing in NYC and her contribution to sailing on the water Photo: Michael Chester
NYC Sailing Awards – Commodore’s Commendations 2023
NYC Commodore’s Commendations 2023 were presented by Commodore Peter Sherry to Estella Rosique, Grant Kinsman, Bill Quigley, Flore Dion, Ruth Shanahan,(Not in Picture) Johnnt Treanor, Data Totterdell, Pete Smyth. Photo: Michael Chester
Estella Rosique & Grant Kinsman For their huge contribution to adult sail training, showcasing commitment, enthusiasm, and principled and fair attitude towards all trainees of all abilities.
Bill Quigley For his cruise from Saint Annaland on the inland sea, the Netherlands, out to Breskens on the North Sea, down to Nieuwpoort in Belgium, down along the coast of France, past Dunkirk then across the channel, the Irish Sea and home to Dun Laoghaire
Flore Dion For her amazing contribution to the junior section, for being a super role model for younger female sailors & for being consistent
in her positivity in the NYC.
Ruth Shanahan For her ongoing work in the 2.4 class and the very successful national championship as well as her commitment to Dun Laoghaire Sailability
Johnny Treanor For winning his class at the UK’s Key Yachting J-Cup Regatta at the Royal Southern Yacht Club on the Hamble river on his new J112e Valentina
Dara Totterdell For her continuous enthusiastic work on producing event results and training new volunteers in all aspects of event management
Pete Smyth For his 3rd place in IRC overall in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race and his overall offshore campaign in 2023
