Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
France's Damien Guilliou racing a Rustler 36 benefitted from stronger wind close inshore off northwest Spain today (Wednesday) while still being able to lay the course without having to tack. He has thereby consolidated his lead in the Golden Globe…
A fleet of 25 Water Wags turned out to compete for the Walpole prizes in the AIB DBSC race on Wednesday September 9th. Race Officer Tadgh Donnelly set a three-lap windward/leeward course in a 6-8 knot southerly breeze. Donnelly got the…
Ireland’s Eve McMahon climbed six places to 11th overall as Belgium’s Emma Plasschaert took the championship lead on a light-wind third day of the ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship on Dublin Bay. Only one Gold Fleet race could be completed…
Remaining Visiting Tall Ships 'Identified' in Advance of Dublin City Council Liffey Festival
9th September 2026 Tall Ships
Three tallships so far have yet to be officially announced, in attending the inaugural Dublin River Festival, which takes place this weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore. To date, the same number of visiting vessels, formed by two tall ships from overseas and…
Jeanneau has unveiled its new EX 34 at the Cannes Yachting Festival, giving the new model its world debut ahead of the 2027 boating season. The EX 34 introduces a new hull design with an emphasis on seakeeping and offshore…
The Isle of Man Steam Packet has confirmed that an extra two months could be required to enable repairs to the flagship ferry’s two propulsion shafts. The busy Manxman was taken out of service in late July after issues were…
Inaugural Dublin City Council Liffey Festival Sees Visiting Tall Ships this Weekend (12 -13 Sept)
9th September 2026 Tall Ships
As Afloat reported, the Dublin City Council Liffey Festival, which explores the river and its quays with fun-filled activities, is to take place this weekend (12-13 September) along the Docklands quarter. So come along to the inaugural festival’s fantastic programme…
The pioneering hydrogen-powered catamaran Energy Observer made an eye-catching appearance in Cork Harbour last weekend, with the 30-metre experimental vessel berthed at Crosshaven Boatyard Marina. The French catamaran, which has already completed a round-the-world voyage powered by a combination of…
Barry and Remmington Emerge as 2026 Fireball Munster Champions
9th September 2026 Monkstown Bay Sailing Club
On 05 – 06 September 2026, the rescheduled Fireball Munster Championship took place in Monkstown after being postponed due to significant Nationwide fuel protests and blockades in April. Ewen Barry and Sandy Remmington (15183) were decisive winners of the event,…
The first of two main beams for the new Hartley Bridge over the River Shannon has been installed between Carrick-on-Shannon and Leitrim Village. Local photographer Keith Nolan was up at 6 am to capture the operation as the huge beam…
Shane Diviney and Kinsale’s Frank O’Leary are part of the crew of Peter Dubens’ North Star III, which maintained a perfect record at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Sardinia on Tuesday with a third consecutive victory. The newly launched…
Silent Anne Best Dressed Craft At Blessing of Galway Bay and Boats
8th September 2026 Galway Harbour
Silent Anne has been named best-dressed boat at the annual Blessing of Galway Bay and Boats ceremony. Mike Heenan received the award for Silent Anne during the event at the pier in the Claddagh Basin in Galway City. Fr Tom…
Ireland’s Eve McMahon and Annalise Murphy have qualified for the Gold Fleet after the five-race Preliminary Series at the ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship in Dún Laoghaire. McMahon completes the qualification stage in 17th overall, while Olympic silver medallist Murphy…
Limerick's Pat Lawless Continues in Second Place in Golden Globe
8th September 2026 Golden Globe Race
Pat Lawless with his Saltram Saga 36 cutter Silvermines Hydro continues to sail a tactically brilliant race in the early stages of the Golden Globe 2026, and on Day 3 he lies second in the overall placings, bested only by…
A three-day festival celebrating Lough Corrib and its catchment in the west takes place later this month. Corrib Féile–FLOW aims to bring together communities, environmental experts, historians, artists and visitors to celebrate a waterway that has shaped the landscape, culture…
Mayo, Dublin, Galway Very Exposed In First National Map of Climate Hazard
8th September 2026 Weather
Parts of Mayo have “very high exposure” and both Dublin and Galway are among counties most vulnerable to rising sea levels and storm surges due to climate change. A University College Cork (UCC) team has published the first national map…
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has reminded Irish fishing vessel operators of the conservation measures and legal requirements that apply to European lobster (Homarus gammarus). A minimum conservation reference size of 87mm and maximum size of 127mm carapace length…
Following Cormac Bradley’s report from the 2026 Flying Fifteen Championship of Ireland at Carrickfergus, a second account of the event gives another perspective on the racing and conditions on Belfast Lough. The Irish Flying Fifteen fleet was welcomed to Carrickfergus…
Unitised Traffic Report Sees Growth of 3% for Q2, 2026 - IMDO Reports
8th September 2026 Irish Ports
The latest Unitised Traffic Report for Q2 2026, published by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), details the key points of its findings and is detailed below. Unitised traffic throughout ports on the island of Ireland recorded growth of 3%…
West Coast SAR Flight Back-Up Could Be Affected By Sale of Galway Airport
8th September 2026 Coastguard
Emergency medicine consultants in the west have expressed concern about the imminent sale of Galway Airport and the loss of a potential base for search and rescue (SAR) helicopter, air ambulance and critical care teams. As The Sunday Independent reports,…
