The idea for the Inishtearaght Race originated because Kinsale sailors thought that the best and most scenic part of the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race is west of Kinsale. So what about a race from Kinsale around the Blaskets and back to Kinsale?
It was discussed at the club, so the first race around the Blaskets, organised by Kinsale Yacht Club, will start this Friday morning.
Two new trophies await the winners of IRC and ECHO and there is a special older trophy reserved for the boat which takes line honours.
Royal Cork's Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo is entered for Friday's Inishtearaght Race Photo: Bob Bateman
Brian Carroll will be racing on Chancer, the boat of the Carroll Brothers that currently leads the IRC 1 and ECHO 1 fleet in Kinsale’s early Summer cruiser club series.
Cian McCarthy's double-handed Sunfast 3300 Cinnamon Girl is one of four boats from the host club that will race in Friday's Inishtearaght fixture
2022 Kinsale Matthews Inishtearaght Race Entries
The inaugural seven boat fleet for Kinsale Yacht Club's Inistearaght offshore yacht race
He says it is probably a “bit early for offshore racing” and expects that there will be “quite a bit of beating to the Blaskets and, unfortunately, probably part of the way back as well.”
Chris Power Smith's J122 Aurelia from the Royal St. George is the only Dublin Bay Boat racing to Inishtearaght
That will make it a testing and challenging task for the crews.
Brian Carroll is my guest on this week’s Podcast.
