![Barry Hayes](/media/k2/users/486.jpg?t=20190916_2131)
Barry Hayes
Barry Hayes, Director of UK Sails Ireland, managed the main UK Production facility for UK Sails in Hong Kong until last October and has been a sail designer with UK sails for over 15 years.
![A new titanium Carbon Main sail IRC optimised on the Dublin Bay yacht Wow, an X-TREME 37 A new titanium Carbon Main sail IRC optimised on the Dublin Bay yacht Wow, an X-TREME 37](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000_9orxwE6bwk/s/848/I0000_9orxwE6bwk.jpg)
Busy UK Sailmakers Ireland is All Set For the Summer Sailing Season's Big Regattas
24th May 2024 UK Sailmakers Ireland
With the racing season underway, UK Sailmakers Ireland looks forward to this season's big events, such as the Round Ireland Race, Cork Week and the IRC European Championships. We have had a super busy start to 2024, and we're keen to…
![](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000rljxprabo80/s/767/I0000rljxprabo80.jpg)
UK Sailmakers Ireland New Shannon One Design Sails Are Ready for Action
18th April 2024 UK Sailmakers Ireland
We developed a new design for the Shannon One design class at our Cork sail loft. Once we were all happy with the design which we sent to top guys in the class so they could review it in real…
![Andrew Andrew](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000oygOAIL58q0/s/767/I0000oygOAIL58q0.jpg)
UK Sailmakers Ireland is delighted to have Andrew "Hammy' Baker join our team in NI. Hammy has tons of experience and is well-known locally. Andrew grew up on Strangford Lough sailing in a family cruiser and as part of the…
![Meridian Salona 45 IRL 4076, with XD Carbon Racing sails Meridian Salona 45 IRL 4076, with XD Carbon Racing sails](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000cNuCp2fziXQ/s/767/I0000cNuCp2fziXQ.jpg)
UK Sailmakers Ireland Are Working Hard to Get You Out Early: "It’s Coming Up Soon and We Want You to Get the Most of Your 2024 Season. So Get Out Early!"
13th March 2024 UK Sailmakers Ireland
We have had a very busy winter period getting your sails serviced, repaired and ready for 2024. Over 800kg of sails and covers sent to laundry are now back. We were delighted to get so many sails and covers this…
![When sails are received in the UK Sailmakers Ireland loft, they are given a full checkover When sails are received in the UK Sailmakers Ireland loft, they are given a full checkover](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000hEa_x8G1pOU/s/767/I0000hEa_x8G1pOU.jpg)
The UK Sailmakers Ireland sail loft in Crosshaven, Co Cork, has been a sail service centre for over forty years. Thousands of sails have been on our floor, and we rarely see something we haven’t encountered before. We can spot…
![XP50 Aerialcrp Titanium 2XI Grey sails XP50 Aerialcrp Titanium 2XI Grey sails](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000dCtSdKxpzm0/s/635/I0000dCtSdKxpzm0.jpg)
Wear and tear can destroy almost any part of your sail. You pad and tape the lifelines and put chafe guards on. You put covers on spreader tips. All these things protect your sails, but your sails can suffer from…
![There are a few key differences between Asymmetric spinnakers designed for offshore racing and those that are optimised for windward-leeward races inshore. One of these is the mid-girth measurement, which tends to be shorter for offshore sails because they are often used at tighter wind angles There are a few key differences between Asymmetric spinnakers designed for offshore racing and those that are optimised for windward-leeward races inshore. One of these is the mid-girth measurement, which tends to be shorter for offshore sails because they are often used at tighter wind angles](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000q1wq3NTLaNI/s/767/I0000q1wq3NTLaNI.jpg)
A-sail design principles are often misunderstood. Top sailmakers explain... To explain the thinking that goes into designing asymmetrical spinnakers, UK Sails Ireland interviewed three sail designers from UK Sailmakers: lead designer Pat Considine, UK Sailmakers Chicago; Geoff Bishop, UK Sailmakers…
![](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000NI6XKLAtybw/s/767/I0000NI6XKLAtybw.jpg)
It has been a busy summer here in UK Sailmakers Ireland with Dun Laoghaire regatta and other regattas. We are pleased to report that we were up to the challenge of getting sails made and ready on time despite the…
![A fleet start at the UK Sailmakers Ireland Dublin Bay Sailing Club Training Day A fleet start at the UK Sailmakers Ireland Dublin Bay Sailing Club Training Day](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000b9a3SNxhA00/s/767/I0000b9a3SNxhA00.jpg)
Earlier this month, we ran a successful training day in Dun Laoghaire for all cruiser racers leading up to the busy Dublin Bay Sailing Club season. Kenny Rumball from the Offshore Racing Academy was on hand to coach along with…
![Salona 45 – Tom Roche with his XD Carbon Main and Headsail in perfect balance upwind Salona 45 – Tom Roche with his XD Carbon Main and Headsail in perfect balance upwind](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000kKYj.Fl8vSg/s/767/I0000kKYj.Fl8vSg.jpg)
When it comes to reducing the area of your headsail (HSA) as a way to improve your IRC rating, Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland has the low down. you’ll learn how complicated while also straightforward the process can be…
![Kenny Rumball (closest to camera) and his 1720 crew competing in the recent DBSC Turkey Shoot on Dublin Bay Kenny Rumball (closest to camera) and his 1720 crew competing in the recent DBSC Turkey Shoot on Dublin Bay](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000stNPyHIoWI4/s/767/I0000stNPyHIoWI4.jpg)
Last month, UK Sailmakers Ireland announced the addition of two more sailmakers to their team, reflecting the increase in the loft’s business: Kenny Rumball and Liam Glynn. Following-up on that announcement, UK Sailmakers Ireland was delighted to report that Kenny…
![Two new sailmaking appointments for UK Sailmakers Ireland: Kenny Rumball (left) and Liam Glynn
Two new sailmaking appointments for UK Sailmakers Ireland: Kenny Rumball (left) and Liam Glynn](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000oXIkNWIeipw/s/767/I0000oXIkNWIeipw.jpg)
The clearest indication that a business is succeeding is when one sees growth and expansion in that company’s staffing and operational footprint. Such is the case here at UK Sailmakers Ireland, led by renowned sailmaker and yacht racer Barry Hayes.…
![UK Sails The Winter period is the best time for getting your sails serviced](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00003brs1aVbinQ/s/767/I00003brs1aVbinQ.jpg)
Winter Sail Servicing from UK Sailmakers Ireland: Get in Early!
11th October 2022 UK Sailmakers Ireland
We hope you had a great sailing season, and we are looking forward to next season. It’s coming up soon and UK Sailmakers Ireland want you to get the most of your 2023 season. So get in early and get…
![The sail design for a Santa Cruz 50’s light No. 1 alongside a photo of the actual sail flying – the two are virtually identical. The sail design for a Santa Cruz 50’s light No. 1 alongside a photo of the actual sail flying – the two are virtually identical.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000OoR0nDkjtcs/s/767/I0000OoR0nDkjtcs.jpg)
Sure, your sailmaker may know how to use a computer to design a sail, but does your sailmaker know how to make that design software perform at a level comparable with winning that F-1 race, making a living playing backgammon,…
![Kinsale Yacht Club's Kinsailor crew competing at the J24 Europeans in Howth Kinsale Yacht Club's Kinsailor crew competing at the J24 Europeans in Howth](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000nvk3z4ZRHBA/s/767/I0000nvk3z4ZRHBA.jpg)
After ten races, the J/24 European Championship hosted by Howth Yacht Club, concluded in a tie at 65 points, with the third-place team only one point back. That third-place team was made up of six junior sailors from the Kinsale…
![IMP in the Cobh Regatta 2022 with SK 90 A3 Gennaker and XD Carbon upwind sails IMP in the Cobh Regatta 2022 with SK 90 A3 Gennaker and XD Carbon upwind sails](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000fPe5o2_rnfg/s/767/I0000fPe5o2_rnfg.jpg)
Autumn Season Discount from UK Sailmakers Ireland Now Available!
1st September 2022 UK Sailmakers Ireland
It has been a busy summer here in UK Sailmakers Ireland with Cork Week and other regattas. We are pleased to report that we were up to the challenge of getting sails made and ready on time despite the obstacles…
![](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000Q8o1vDTwzq0/s/767/I0000Q8o1vDTwzq0.jpg)
UK Sailmakers One Design Success in 1720 Euros, First 31.7s and Ruffians 23s
18th August 2022 UK Sailmakers Ireland
UK Sailmakers Ireland celebrates One Design sailing success this season with a stunning 1,2,3 at the 1720 European Championships at Cork Week in July. The loft is also celebrating title wins in July's Ruffian National Championships and August's Beneteau 31.7s National…
![Blennerville Windmill on Tralee Bay Blennerville Windmill on Tralee Bay](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000lY6qBX9zxMQ/s/635/I0000lY6qBX9zxMQ.jpg)
Blennerville Windmill Project Is a New Spin for McWilliam Sailmakers
2nd June 2022 UK Sailmakers Ireland
Kerry County Council approached McWilliam Sailmakers in Crosshaven to build and design new windmill sails for the Blennerville Windmill on Tralee Bay. Restoration works on the windmill have already seen new wing frames built by Cedarlan Ltd, which has its…
![forestay sag In this 3D real time photo of a racing boat you can see the forestay sag off the straight line in the shot. Note the twist in the leech to compensate for the sag](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ekCEwt.zaSE/s/767/I0000ekCEwt.zaSE.jpg)
Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland gives us the ins and outs of forestay sag and how it affects your sail so you can get the best out of your headsail shape and rig settings. Regardless of if you’re cruising…
![Finbarr O'Regan and his J/109 crew on Artful Dodjer Finbarr O'Regan and his J/109 crew on Artful Dodjer that won Class Zero and One IRC overall in the Axiom Private Clients Race at Kinsale Yacht Club. Finnbar was using a brand new UK Sailmakers Ireland headsail](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000EDKeLWtVD60/s/767/I0000EDKeLWtVD60.jpg)
UK Sailmakers Congratulate Kinsale League Class Winner 'Artful Dodjer'
1st May 2022 UK Sailmakers Ireland
Congratulations to Finbarr O'Regan and his J/109 crew that won Class Zero and One IRC overall in the Axiom Private Clients Race at Kinsale Yacht Club on Saturday. Finnbar was using a brand new UK Sailmakers Ireland headsail to our…