Afloat.ie Team
Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.
Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.
ICRA 'Pro Rule' To Focus on 'Pastime' or 'Business' for Marine Trade Professionals
13th May 2014 ICRA
#cruiserracing – With a month to go, the Irish Cruiser Racer Association (ICRA) is to implement an amendment to its professional sailor rule for its Teng Tools sponsored national championships on Dublin Bay. As David O'Brien in the Irish Times…
#cruiserracing – The Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) has dropped plans to create a new handicap division at the bottom end of class 1 and the top of class 2 for its IRC national championships at the Royal Irish Yacht…
Flying Fifteen Champions Dismasted on Eve of First Championship Regatta
13th May 2014 Flying Fifteen
#flyingfifteen – National Flying fifteen champions Ian Mathews and Keith Poole were dismasted during a breezy start to the Dublin Bay season last weekend. It's a set back in preparations for this weekend's first regional Flying fifteen event at Dundalk Sailing Club on…
#kinsale – The May bank holiday event saw the inaugural 'Axiom sponsored One Design keelboat Regatta' held in Kinsale YC. Twelve Squibs and five Dragons came out to do battle for the very generous prizes and newly commissioned trophy. PRO…
#hugoboss – Alex Thomspon's Hugo Boss Yacht that called into Cork Harbour marina en route to New York from Southampton in late April has broken its mast during the Atlantic Crossing. Last Friday morning whilst sailing upwind at 25 knots,…
#slowfood – Food critic Sally McKenna, TV chef Darina Allen and food writer Dr. Prannie Rhatigan are among the participants in the 2014 Burren Slow Food Festival, details of which were announced today. Supported by the Burren & Cliffs of…
Windy Conditions on Shannon Estuary No Dampener to Foyne's Commodore's Day
12th May 2014 Shannon Estuary
#shannonestuary – On Sunday last at Foynes Yacht Club on the Shannon Estuary, Commodore's Day was held with a superb turnout of member's and the public to make the day one of the best in the annals of the club…
#commdorescup – Although Ireland will be setting sail for Cowes as a potent Commodore's Cup force this July it will only be a single team as a second 'corinthian' team could not be mustered. At the Spring meeting of the…
#corkweek – Over 80 yachts have now confirmed their entry for Volvo Cork Week writes Louay Habib. More than half the yachts are Irish and a strong contingent of British yachts will be looking to take on the best that…
#tallships – The Drogheda Port Company in conjunction with Sail Training Ireland confirm the 'Spirit of Oysterhaven' will be joining the parade of classic ships at this years fun packed Maritime Festival. The 70ft–classic schooner is Ireland's only 'non-naval' Sail training vessel. This…
#corkharbour – A French sailor took advantage of gusty weather in Cork Harbour to pass race leader Jeff Condell to win yesterday afternoon's revival of the famous 15–mile Round Cobh Island windsurf race. The race, organised by Eddie English of Sailcork, was won in…
#rnli – After 39 years of dedication to Howth RNLI, 27 years as lifeboat coxswain, Robert Duffy has retired. Thanks to his bravery and determination, he helped to save hundreds of lives at sea during his time as a volunteer…
{YouTube}egxgY3HjACk{/YouTube}
#roundireland – With under two months to the start of the Round Ireland yacht race in Wicklow, Wicklow Sailing Club member David Ryan has chartered the Monster Project, a Volvo 70 class yacht for the race. Amongst his crew will…
#millsdesign – Wicklow yacht designer Mark Mills has unveiled details of the 'MAT1180', a next-generation IRC race boat design. The interest says Mills was to investigate the changes in IRC affecting lighter designs in the 39' size range. After a…
#wilsontrophy – The 65th Wilson Trophy was marked by high winds and innumerable cups of tea as competitors and umpires waited for suitable racing conditions. With racing delayed on Friday and no sailing at all on Sunday the Wilson Trophy…
#420 – Howth Yacht Club's Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove continue their unbeaten run in the 420 dinghy class but they did not get it all their own way in the early stages of the Ulster Championships at County Antrim…
#elmo – Irish sailing is mourning the loss of leading small boat sailor Graham 'Elmo' Elmes (39) of Dun Laoghaire who died tragically at the weekend. His funeral took place this morning. Warm tributes to the talented sailor are being…
#49erfx – A promising mid–fleet performance for Ireland's newest Olympic sailing duo came to a dramatic halt on Lake Garda, Italy yesterday when a race course crash put paid to a stronger performance for 49erFX pair, Andrea Brewster and Saskia…
#annalisemurphy – Annalise Murphy has won Eurosaf Gold again on Lake Garda this afternoon in a commanding display of heavy air sailing with five race wins in the past week. Twice in a fortnight the Irish Olympic Sailing team is…
#isora – A former steel hulled BT Global Challenge yacht was the winner of a 'punishing' second ISORA offshore race from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire on Saturday morning. The 15–boat fleet faced a fetch into 30 plus knots of wind that veered…