Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Many of my memories from fifty years of journalism in all sectors of the media, from local weekly newspapers, to national dailies, radio and television, involve lifeboat stations. In tragedy and celebration that has been the focus of coastal communities,…

There is no doubt that youth involvement is key to the future of sailing. So it is wise for clubs to devote attention to developing youth sailing leading, hopefully, to onward transition into adult boats and classes and cruiser racing.…

John O’Mahony, Chairman of the first representative association for Coast Guard volunteers, says that “Personnel issues are the worst failing in the Coast Guard. It’s like a blind spot.” He was Deputy Officer-in-Charge of the Toe Head Unit, originally the…

Monkstown Bay Sailing Club's dinghy racing ended for the season on Saturday, with the conclusion of the October League in Cork Harbour which had extended into November to finish a series of eight races. Laser sailor Ronan Kenneally was the…

More clubs around the country are developing cruiser racing opportunities for young sailors. It is, increasingly, being seen as vital to ensure that clubs themselves have a future. The biggest loss to sailing has been when young sailors leave dinghies…

Disappointment is always hard to take, but Peter Lawless is determined, even though he has, this time, failed in his ambition to become the first Irishman to sail around the world non-stop. The Kerry solo sailor left Kilrush Marina in…

Monkstown Bay Sailing Club is based in the inner part of Cork Harbour and is buzzing with the start of its October League and, says Club Commodore, Sandy Rimmington, a revival of the 5O5 fleet and a plan to expand…

It was discussed in the Seanad on Wednesday the fifth of March in 2003….. Senator Joe O'Toole, a teacher by profession was an Independent Senator, served as General Secretary of the National Teachers Organisation and President of the Congress of…

"We have a lot of quick boats entered, and it's going to be a very competitive and hotly-contested league," predicts the Royal Cork's Rear Admiral for Keelboats, Daragh Connolly, as he assembles fleet arrangements for the Autumn League, which begins…

Close racing is expected at Schull Harbour Sailing Club in West Cork on Saturday when the final league racing of the season takes place. Sean Norris, Commodore at Schull Sailing Club, says: "We are wrapping up our season here this…

Ciarán Oliver's family history goes back over a hundred years to what was then known as the fishing village of the Claddagh in Galway. His great-great-uncle, Máirtín, was the last 'King of the Claddagh'. The 'Loveen' doesn't go back quite…

I just love the approach of Galway sailors in mixing serious racing and enjoyment. If British sailors can have Cowes Week and West Cork has Calves Week, in Galway, they have Lamb's Week which has "gentlemanly racing," plenty of "craic,"…

Peter Lawless hasn't time for anxiety as he makes final preparations for his solo sail around the world. He has set Saturday, August 21, for his departure from Kilrush Marina in the Shannon Estuary. Amongst those giving support to Peter…

Galway Bay has a ring of sailing clubs dotted around the shoreline, says one of the founders of the Galway City Sailing Club, which is marking its 10th year in existence. It is an impressive grouping of maritime enthusiasts and…

Deep down, four miles beneath the surface of the North Atlantic, the wreck of Titanic is dying as Nature "takes it back to itself." So says Irish diver Rory Golden who is taking part in the current expedition to the…

Ten years ago the family of Charlie Haughey offloaded their yacht, Celtic Mist, to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. It took most of a year to refurbish it and the cost was put at around €80,000. The yacht was…

I won a unique prize at Dungarvan Sailing Club – for the most capsized sailor. It was many years ago when I was still able to sail a 12ft. dinghy. It was a Vagabond, a unique craft of its kind…

There is a notable increase in leisure craft on the water all around the coast. Several incidents have been reported of users not adhering to harbour safety regulations, and Cork County Council's Senior Harbour Master has issued a warning that…

Europe’s oldest and longest inland sailing race is part of the history of the West Coast of Ireland. The history of Galway itself claims that Ptolemy, the astronomer and mathematician born in 100 AD at Alexandria in Egypt and who…

A 12-mile "gentle reintroduction" started the racing season at Schull Harbour Sailing Club in West Cork. The 'Saturday Morning Taste of Sailing' sessions were restarted, with thirteen junior sailors in five boats bringing youngsters onto the water for club training.…