Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Restrictions Lifted at Lough Neagh Beauty Spot After Discovery of Suspected Wartime Munition
27th October 2023 Northern Ireland Waters
Restrictions have been lifted at Oxford Island in Co Armagh after the discovery of a suspected wartime munition. The object has since been made safe after its examination by specialist PSNI officers at the Lough Neagh beauty spot and nature…
'Free to a Good Home' - Appeal to Find New Homes for Two Ballyholme Bay Project Yachts
25th October 2023 Historic Boats
Two Ballyholme Bay yachts, which would make a great match-racing pair, need a new home (or homes). They are 22 ft plank-built sloops which were built on the Clyde in approximately 1939 for members of Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast…
Local anglers have said it could take years for stocks to recover after a major fish kill in a Northern Ireland river. According to BBC News, it’s believed hundreds of juvenile salmon were lost as a result of a slurry…
Campaigners Appealing Dismissal of Legal Challenge to Larne Lough Gas Cavern Plans
22nd October 2023 Northern Ireland Waters
Local campaigners are taking their challenge against proposed gas caverns under Larne Lough to the Court of Appeal, following its dismissal by the High Court in August. As previously noted on Afloat.ie, all seven grounds of the legal challenge brought…
Ten RS Fevas from clubs around Belfast Lough rounded off their season with a Final Fling at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club recently. After the initial strong wind died down to just in time to allow the event to…
Waterways Ireland Confirms Daily Operation of Portora Lock on Erne System
18th October 2023 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and inland waterways users that Portora Lock on the Erne System is currently operation. The lock will be operated daily from 8am to 10.30pm. During these times, a lock-keeper will be present and will…
Rivers Trust Offers Safety Advice as Storm Babet Moves Across Northern Ireland
18th October 2023 Weather
The Rivers Trust has issued advice to the public ahead of the potential flood impacts of Storm Babet on Northern Ireland waters over the next few days. Yellow weather warnings have been issued across the rest of the week for…
Native Oyster Fishery in Foyle Area Suspended to Prioritise Conservation
17th October 2023 Marine Wildlife
Loughs Agency, the regulatory body for fisheries in Northern Ireland, has announced the suspension of the Native Oyster Fishery in the Foyle area starting from 6 am on October 24th, 2023, until 6 pm on February 29th, 2024. The decision…
Northern Ireland Squib Champions in Action at Lough Derg Yacht Club's Freshwater Keelboat Regatta
13th October 2023 Inland Waterways
Squib National Champions Gordon Patterson and Ross Nolan from Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough are among 33 class entries that will compete this weekend at Lough Derg Yacht Club's Freshwater Keelboat Regatta in County Tipperary. Other entries…
The Norwegian Star, the largest-ever cruise ship to drop anchor in Lough Foyle, arrived spectacularly at 7am, marking the end of the 2023 cruise season for Foyle Port. The ship has a gross tonnage of 91,740 and a length of…
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System that the Erne Pike Classic will take place this weekend from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 October. Friday involves a shore-based angling competition. The Waterways Ireland jetties…
Lighthouse Tourism in Ireland Sees Significant Increase, Belfast Conference Hears
8th October 2023 Lighthouses
Lighthouse tourism in Ireland has significantly increased, with a 60% rise in overnight stays in such facilities throughout the country since 2019, according to the Great Lighthouses of Ireland tourism initiative. Last year, over 622,000 people visited lighthouses and lighthouse…
Belfast Lough Harbour Town Of Donaghadee Secedes To Viking Faroe Islands
7th October 2023 Belfast Lough
When the Vikings first swept into Belfast Lough around 800 AD, the lack of harbours was no problem, as the gently shelving beach at the wide expanse of Ballyholme Bay was ideal for hauling their longships ashore. Thus Ballyholme –…
Six Wins for Kearney and Nelson at GP14 'Hot Toddy' at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
7th October 2023 GP14
Last weekend, 27 GP14s gathered at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on the south shore of Belfast Lough for the first of the Hot Toddy meetings of the 23/24 season. Dominating the competition were the home crew of…
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Lower Bann Navigation in Northern Ireland that Portna Lock east of Kilrea will be closed to navigation from Monday 9 October for a period of around six weeks. This is to facilitate…
XOcean Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) Visits Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough
5th October 2023 Belfast Lough
Many assorted vessels visit Bangor Marina, but the XOcean Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) may be the most unusual. Last week, Harbour Master Kevin Baird and his team, MCA staff and Belfast Coastguard welcomed the UK Maritime Minister Baroness Vere of…