Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Blessing of the Boats

Ger O’Neill’s Proud Mary was named “best-dressed boat” at the annual blessing of vessels in Galway Bay last weekend.

Kevin O’Brien’s Blue Shark took second place in the same event, which was marked by showers of rain.

Gleoitegs, púcáns and hookers form part of the Claddagh’s rich history, and the event was hosted the Cladonian Mariners’ Boat Club and local vessel owners.

Joe Shoer, owner of the Teegan, in the wheelhouse during the Blessing of Galway Bay from on boardJoe Shoer, owner of the Teegan, in the wheelhouse during the Blessing of Galway Bay from on board Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy

The weather conditions prompted people on board the vessel Teegan, owned by Joe Shoer, to burst into their rendition of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, made famous by Gene Kelly.

Fr Matthew Farrell OP, PP, St Mary’s, Claddagh, recites a decade of the rosary on board the Teegan as boats sail for the Blessing of Galway Bay last Sunday. Sailing alongside is the Blue Shark with owner Kevin O’Brien at the helm. The Blue Shark won second prize for the “Best Dressed Boat” at the event.Fr Matthew Farrell OP, PP, St Mary’s, Claddagh, recites a decade of the rosary on board the Teegan as boats sail for the Blessing of Galway Bay last Sunday. Sailing alongside is the Blue Shark with owner Kevin O’Brien at the helm. The Blue Shark won second prize for the “Best Dressed Boat” at the event Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy

King of the Claddagh Michael Lynskey and his son Pat dropped down to meet people on vessels when they returned to the Claddagh.

The ceremony was presided over by Fr Matthew Farrell of St Mary’s, Claddagh.

A decade of the rosary is recited before the Blessing of the BayA decade of the rosary is recited before the Blessing of the Bay Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy

Fr Farrell blessed the boats, the nets on board fishing vessels and the people crewing them. He recited a decade of the rosary on board the Teegan and sprinkled holy water in the direction of the fleet.

Fr Matthew Farrell OP, PP, St Mary’s, Claddagh, sprinkles holy water during the Blessing of Galway Bay.Fr Matthew Farrell OP, PP, St Mary’s, Claddagh, sprinkles holy water during the Blessing of Galway Bay Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy

People on board the Teegan burst into song with ‘Singing in The Rain’ during a shower as the boat is moored at the Claddagh after the Blessing of Galway BayPeople on board the Teegan burst into song with ‘Singing in The Rain’ during a shower as the boat is moored at the Claddagh after the Blessing of Galway Bay Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy

Deputy Mayor of Galway Cllr Mike Cubbard (Ind) travelled on board the Naomh Crónán with Peter Connolly of Bádóirí an Chladaigh at the helm.

Deputy Mayor of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, on board the Naomh Crónán with Peter Connolly of Bádóirí an Chladaigh at the helm during the Blessing of Galway BayDeputy Mayor of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, on board the Naomh Crónán with Peter Connolly of Bádóirí an Chladaigh at the helm during the Blessing of Galway Bay Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy

Also there to mark the ritual was Cllr Niall MacNelis (Lab), along with Galway businessman and sailor Enda O Coineen.

Galway businessman and sailor Enda O’Coineen at the Blessing of Galway BayGalway businessman and sailor Enda O’Coineen at the Blessing of Galway Bay Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy

After the blessing, Teresa Shoer sang 'Here’s a Toast to You Claddagh', and there was music, while fun was had by all.

Teresa Shoer sings 'Here’s a Toast to You Claddagh' after the Blessing of Galway BayTeresa Shoer sings 'Here’s a Toast to You Claddagh' after the Blessing of Galway Bay Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy

Published in Galway Harbour
Tagged under

Dublin Port Company has hailed the recent Blessing of the Boats ceremony and flotilla from Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club, which was officiated by Fr Ivan Tonge.

The annual blessing of the boats and fleet is a time-honoured tradition which dates back many centuries with some origins traced back to early Greek fisherman, the port company says.

Events in ports around the world can range from a simple ceremony to a multi-day festival including church services, parades, dancing, feasting and contests.

Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club’s 2021 Blessing of the Boats flotilla at the mouth of the LiffeyThe flotilla at the mouth of the Liffey | Credit: Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club

Published in Dublin Port
The annual Blessing of the Boats took place recently at Rush Sailing Club, the North County Leader reports.
Local priest Fr Kieran Coughlan conducted the ceremony, which took place away from the boats this year due to particularly blustery conditions on the day.
Fr Coughlan also led the large gathering in paying tribute to Skerries fishermen Ronan Browne and David Gilsenan, who lost their lives last month.
The North County Leader has more on the story HERE.

The annual Blessing of the Boats took place recently at Rush Sailing Club, the North County Leader reports.

Local priest Fr Kieran Coughlan conducted the ceremony, which took place away from the boats this year due to particularly blustery conditions on the day.

Fr Coughlan also led the large gathering in paying tribute to Skerries fishermen Ronan Browne and David Gilsenan, who lost their lives last month.

The North County Leader has more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes

The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is an annual offshore yacht racing event with an increasingly international exposure attracting super maxi yachts and entries from around tne world. It is hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, starting in Sydney, New South Wales on Boxing Day and finishing in Hobart, Tasmania. The race distance is approximately 630 nautical miles (1,170 km).

The 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts in Sydney Harbour at 1pm (AEDT) on Monday 26 December.

This is the 77th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart. The inaugural race was conducted in 1945 and has run every year since, apart from 2020, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

88 boats started the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart, with 50 finishing.

The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - FAQs

The number of Sydney Hobart Yacht Races held by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia since 1945 is 75

6,257 completed the Sydney Hobart Yacht race, 1036 retired or were disqualified)

About 60,061 sailors have competed in the Sydney Hobart Race between 1945 and 2019

Largest fleets: 371 starters in the 50th race in 1994 (309 finished); 154 starters in 1987 (146 finished); 179 starters in 1985 (145 finished); 151 starters in 1984 (46 finished); 173 started in 1983 (128 finished); 159 started in 1981 (143 finished); 147 started in 1979 (142 finished); 157 started in 2019 (154 finished)

116 in 2004 (59 finished); 117 in 2014 (103 finished); 157 in 2019 (154 finished)

Nine starters in the inaugural Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1945

In 2015 and 2017 there were 27, including the 12 Clipper yachts (11 in 2017). In the record entry of 371 yachts in the 50th in 1994, there were 24 internationals

Rani, Captain John Illingworth RN (UK). Design: Barber 35’ cutter. Line and handicap winner

157 starters, 154 finishers (3 retirements)

IRC Overall: Ichi Ban, a TP52 owned by Matt Allen, NSW. Last year’s line honours winner: Comanche, Verdier Yacht Design and VPLP (FRA) owned by Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant, in 1 day 18 hours, 30 minutes, 24 seconds. Just 1hour 58min 32secs separated the five super maxis at the finish 

1 day 9 hours 15 minutes and 24 seconds, set in 2017 by LDV Comanche after Wild Oats XI was penalised one hour in port/starboard incident for a finish time of 1d 9h 48m 50s

The oldest ever sailor was Syd Fischer (88 years, 2015).

As a baby, Raud O'Brien did his first of some six Sydney Hobarts on his parent's Wraith of Odin (sic). As a veteran at three, Raud broke his arm when he fell off the companionway steps whilst feeding biscuits to the crew on watch Sophie Tasker sailed the 1978 race as a four-year-old on her father’s yacht Siska, which was not an official starter due to not meeting requirements of the CYCA. Sophie raced to Hobart in 1979, 1982 and 1983.

Quite a number of teenage boys and girls have sailed with their fathers and mothers, including Tasmanian Ken Gourlay’s 14-year-old son who sailed on Kismet in 1957. A 12-year-old boy, Travis Foley, sailed in the fatal 1998 race aboard Aspect Computing, which won PHS overall.

In 1978, the Brooker family sailed aboard their yacht Touchwood – parents Doug and Val and their children, Peter (13), Jacqueline (10), Kathryne (8) and Donald (6). Since 1999, the CYCA has set an age limit of 18 for competitors

Jane (‘Jenny’) Tate, from Hobart, sailed with her husband Horrie aboard Active in the 1946 Race, as did Dagmar O’Brien with her husband, Dr Brian (‘Mick’) O’Brien aboard Connella. Unfortunately, Connella was forced to retire in Bass Strait, but Active made it to the finish. The Jane Tate Memorial Trophy is presented each year to the first female skipper to finish the race

In 2019, Bill Barry-Cotter brought Katwinchar, built in 1904, back to the start line. She had competed with a previous owner in 1951. It is believed she is the oldest yacht to compete. According to CYCA life member and historian Alan Campbell, more than 31 yachts built before 1938 have competed in the race, including line honours winners Morna/Kurrewa IV (the same boat, renamed) and Astor, which were built in the 1920s.

Bruce Farr/Farr Yacht Design (NZL/USA) – can claim 20 overall wins from 1976 (with Piccolo) up to and including 2015 (with Balance)

Screw Loose (1979) – LOA 9.2m (30ft); Zeus II (1981) LOA 9.2m

TKlinger, NSW (1978) – LOA 8.23m (27ft)

Wild Oats XI (2012) – LOA 30.48m (100ft). Wild Oats XI had previously held the record in 2005 when she was 30m (98ft)

©Afloat 2020