Sailing has its ‘ups-and-downs’ and a hundred years brings many changes as the years roll by, both good times and those that are more difficult.
Sailing in the Cork Harbour town of Cobh has experienced this, an experience which underlines that history repeats itself. There were once two sailing clubs in the town, then there was one, now there are two again.
That there are two is the result of difficulties which set back what had been the main club as it approached its centenary. Problems for Cove Sailing Club emanated from the decision to provide a much-needed marina on the town’s seafront when financial problems led to difficulties that had to be dealt with and there was movement away of members who felt more concentration was needed on sailing and founded the Great Island Sailing Club. That was the motivating force behind the foundation of the Cork Harbour Combined Clubs League, which is in its second pretty successful year.
Cove Sailing Club’s Commodore Kieran Dorgan launches the centenary programme Photo: Bob Bateman
Positive things can happen from problems and this was the approach taken by Cove Sailing Club’s Commodore Kieran Dorgan when I spoke to him about the future for the club: “Sailing is back, we worked through our difficulties and now we’re driving on.”
"There were once two sailing clubs in the town, then there was one, now there are two again"
The club’s committee view is that “the next few years provide an opportunity to put sailing in Cobh firmly on the map and we plan to work closely with other clubs within the harbour to adapt to the challenges of encouraging new boat ownership and participation in sailing.”
This is the centenary year of Cove SC and the positive approach has been marked by getting planning approval and financial backing for the marina at Whitepoint which had been at the source of its difficulties.
So, when I spoke to Commodore Dorgan for the Podcast, he first recalled that this is not the only time when there have been two sailing clubs in Cobh.
Listen to the podcast below
