Afloat.ie Team
Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.
Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.
Cian Guilfoyle of Dun Laoghaire is “Sailor of the Month (World Championship)” for September
1st October 2026 Sailor of the Month
A top pro-sailor of the calibre of Cian Guilfoyle of Dun Laoghaire will inevitably find his name linked with several high-profile boats as his career progresses, but Guilfoyle and the RC44 Aleph go back quite a long way. Indeed, Afloat’s…
Roger Craig of Dun Laoghaire is “Sailor of the Month (Solo International)” for September
1st October 2026 Sailor of the Month
It was a matter of celebration for Irish sailing when Dun Laoghaire’s Roger Craig snatched gold in the final race of the fiercely-contested Masters division at the 2026 ILCA Masters European Championships in La Baule, France, on September 25th. Craig,…
Eve McMahon of Howth is “Sailor of the Month (Olympic)” for September
1st October 2026 Sailor of the Month
There was enormous expectation surrounding Eve McMahon when the ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship came to Dublin Bay in September. The Howth Yacht Club sailor arrived on home waters after a season which had already established her among the leading…
Con Murphy & Brian Craig of Dun Laoghaire are “Sailors of the Month (Services to Sailing)” for September
1st October 2026 Sailor of the Month
Con Murphy and Brian Craig of Dún Laoghaire are Afloat.ie’s “Sailors of the Month (Services to Sailing)” for September. It would be well-nigh impossible to list everyone who makes a significant input into the process of converting Dún Laoghaire into…
Simon Knowles of Howth is “Sailor of the Month (Offshore)” for September
1st October 2026 Sailor of the Month
In the hyper-busy contemporary sailing programme available to cruiser-racers, it can be something of a jigsaw puzzle putting together your optimal crew in order to hit top form just when it is needed. Simon Knowles of Howth, with the J/109…
Daniel Copithorne of Schull and Matt Mapplebeck of Crosshaven are “Sailors of the Month (Junior Nationals)” for September.
1st October 2026 Sailor of the Month
Daniel Copithorne of Schull and Matt Mapplebeck of Crosshaven are Afloat.ie’s “Sailors of the Month (Junior Nationals)” for September. Autumn sailing and the Irish Sailing Junior Champions’ Cup at the Fastnet Marine Outdoor Education Centre in Schull are now neatly…
The expedition cruise ship World Voyager is pictured outward bound on Wedenesday, September 30th from Cork Harbour following a visit to the city quays. The 126-metre vessel called to Cork during a cruise itinerary around Ireland and the North Atlantic…
Irish offshore sailor Pamela Lee will be the focus of a special Dún Laoghaire gathering next Tuesday (October 6) as she prepares for her historic solo challenge in November’s Route du Rhum. As first reported by Afloat last month, Lee…
Twelve of the world’s leading women’s match racing teams will line up on San Francisco Bay this week for the 2026 World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championship. Hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club from September 30 to October 4,…
Ireland’s increasing exposure to “shadow fleet” shipping is among the risks prompting a review of the State’s preparedness for a major marine pollution incident. The Irish Coast Guard has opened a five-week public consultation on a review of Ireland’s National…
Irish sports clubs are being invited to apply for a share of €130,000 under the sixth annual Texaco Support for Sport initiative. The 2026 scheme will provide €5,000 to one successful sports club in each of the 26 counties, with…
Colin Breen challenges the image of Ireland’s western seaboard as an isolated Gaelic world, revealing a medieval maritime society connected by trade, politics, religion and warfare across Ireland, Scotland and continental Europe. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way has…
The skipper of a French-registered fishing vessel has been fined €500 over a defective boarding ladder which broke as a fisheries inspector began climbing it during an inspection in Irish waters. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) said Alberto Barreiro Faria,…
Removal of Dams from US River Leads To Return of Thousands of Salmon
30th September 2026 Marine Wildlife
Removal of four dams from a north American river has led to such large runs of salmon that they have exceeded researcher expectations. The findings published in the journal Scientific Reports say that thousands of chinook salmon have been recorded…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published its annual classification list for commercial shellfish production areas across Ireland. The list assesses production areas against strict food hygiene standards. The SFPA, in collaboration with the shellfish industry, conducts regular shellfish sampling…
Irish interest in international ILCA racing continues in Portugal this week, where Conor Cronin lies sixth overall after six races at the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship in Vilamoura. The championship follows a particularly busy period for Irish ILCA…
Royal Irish's Searcher 2 Takes Third at Les Voiles as Goodbody Calls Tactics on SPIIP
30th September 2026 Royal Irish Yacht Club
Pete Smyth’s Royal Irish Yacht Club Ker 46 Searcher 2 took third place in IRC1 at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez on Tuesday (September 29), while fellow RIYC sailor and former Irish Olympian Tim Goodbody was calling tactics aboard the Swan…
Marine Notice: Bathymetric Survey Operations Along Dublin and Wicklow Coast
30th September 2026 News Update
The Department of Transport has been advised that Hydrographic Surveys Limited will undertake a geophysical survey on behalf of Iarnród Éireann under Maritime Usage Licence MUL240023. Work will commence on Thursday 1 October for a duration of four weeks, depending…
The Department of Transport as been notified by AWJ Limited that a pipeline survey will be conducted on behalf of Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) in the Irish Sea. The works will take place from Wednesday 30 September to Tuesday 6…
EU fisheries ministers have agreed a common Council position on key rules governing future financial support for fishing and aquaculture between 2028 and 2034, including investment in fishing vessels. The agreement was reached at Tuesday’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council under…
