When Pierce Purcell of Clarenbridge in Galway officially retired from the marine business on the 31st January, it by no means ended his association with boats, the sea and sailing. For his entire life has been devoted to helping others get afloat, and with “retirement”, sailing plans have been already mapped out, and there is no doubt that he will be continuing to extend a helping hand to fellow enthusiasts for many years yet.

"Serving sailing is in his blood"

Serving sailing is in his blood. His father was a popular Commodore in the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire way back in 1945-48. But when his widowed mother then re-married and moved to Galway, young Pierce found himself in a place ripe for sailing development, and in 1970 he was a founder (and later Commodore) of Galway Bay Sailing Club. He also established Galway Sailing Centre in 1973 as a training establishment, he ran a boat sales and marine equipment centre where everything was sold with the most useful advice and encouragement, he was awarded the Irish Sailing Association “Volunteer of the Year” accolade in 2009, in 2011 he became a Vice Commodore of the Cruising Association of Ireland, and from 2012 to 2016 he served on the Board of Directors of Irish Sailing.

He services to sailing in all Ireland and particularly in the west have been exceptional, and we are delighted to honour his extensive contribution to our sport.