Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Irene of Bridgwater

The tall ship that ran aground off Scotland yesterday has been refloated.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the 100-foot-long Irene of Bridgwater, with 10 people on board, became stuck in Lamlash Bay on its way to port at Greenock - one of five ports on the route of the 2011 Tall Ships Races.
A spokesperson for Clyde Coastguard told STV that the ship was refloated at 3.45am this morning.
"There were no injuries and no damage," she added.
The tall ship that ran aground off Scotland yesterday has been refloated.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the 100-foot-long Irene of Bridgwater, with 10 people on board, became stuck in Lamlash Bay on its way to port at Greenock - one of five ports on the route of the 2011 Tall Ships Races.

A spokesperson for Clyde Coastguard told STV that the ship was refloated at 3.45am this morning.

"There were no injuries and no damage," she added.
Published in Tall Ships
One of the vessels that departed last weekend's Tall Ships festival in Waterford and is heading for the next  race stage in Scotland has run aground off the island of Arran.

The 100ft-long tall ship Irene of Bridgwater, with 10 people on board, became stuck in Lamlash Bay on its way to port at Greenock.

Clyde Coastguard said the ship was expected to refloat at high tide in the early hours of this morning. There was no danger to anyone on board.

Greenock is hosting the second stage of the race, following Waterford, Ireland. BBC News has more HERE.


Published in Tall Ships

Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of.   For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water.  The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.

The Forty-foot Christmas Day swim

A Dublin institution that brings people from across Dublin and beyond for a dip in the chilly winter sea. Bathers arrive in the dark from 6 am and by noon the entire forty foot is a sea of red Santa hats!