Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
![Other marine related wins at the Georgina Awards yesterday (pictured above) were the Atmospheric Restaurant of the Year that went to The Boat House Bistro, at Dromquinna Manor, Kenmare, Co Kerry and Seafood Restaurant of the Year that went to Galway city’s Westend establishment, Hooked.](/media/k2/items/cache/41fa72645ea86d9ce650cbfef9478a82_L.jpg)
The Carrick-on-Shannon eatery, St. George's Terrace Restaurant in County Leitrim that is popular with boaters has won a Taste of the Waterways Award in Georgina Campbell's Annual Restaurant Awards this week. Campbell said 'There are plenty of good eating places…
![Although only twenty years old, Erwan Le Draoulec has emerged as one of the key pace-setters in the Mini Transat 2017 campaigns](/media/k2/items/cache/a6ff3082e93a74be68ddc689efad90e6_L.jpg)
At 17th in Mini Transat, Tom Dolan Has Most of Fleet Behind Him, But Four Leaders Are Very Clear Ahead
4th October 2017 Tom Dolan
Ireland’s solo sailor Tom Dolan and the other contenders in the leading group in the Mini Transat have finally been able to start exiting the Bay of Biscay at better speeds this morning as new east to nor’east winds have…
![Plan afoot to reinstate historic Ballast House timepiece mentioned in Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’. The Ballast House time ball (see top left) was taken down in 1920. It came from a time when the city were on Dublin time rather than GMT.](/media/k2/items/cache/d32640aa91c695c2601f71caa5a5e327_L.jpg)
#dublinport - The Irish Times writes that the giant bronze timepiece the “time ball” that was visible across Dublin city until the time of the 1916 Rising, could be reinstated as part of the refurbishment of Ballast House at O’Connell…
![Mark Turner](/media/k2/items/cache/ae0654c115846043bb015d440313c5d9_L.jpg)
Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner has spoken out about last month's decision to leave the race just weeks before it starts in Alicante. Turner also talks in the video below about how the proposed 2019-20 Volvo Ocean Race in…
![College team racing in Firefly dinghies in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. A new Dublin Team Racing League aims to build on September's Elmo Cup momentum and bridge the gap to college team racing](/media/k2/items/cache/a4463d381df5ad0f6a04fc7b11b365df_L.jpg)
The Dublin University Sailing Club is hosting the first of four Dublin Team Racing League Events in Dun Laoghaire this Saturday, 7th of October. As discussed at the ISA meeting earlier in the year, the goal of the League is…
![Edward Bransfield commemoration committee at Ballinacurra – Liam O'Riordan ,Ann Wilson, Eugene Furlong & Jim Wilson](/media/k2/items/cache/301aeb42c92697593c888b12e0d8fcdb_L.jpg)
Ireland is a nation which has been slow to recognise its maritime resources and its international maritime achievements made by Irish sailors. This I was reminded about again this week. But there are indications of changes for the better, driven…
![The Kelly family’s J/109 Storm from Rush SC and HYC is the defending champion in this weekend’s J/109 Open Nationals in Dublin Bay.](/media/k2/items/cache/d901bb2097532cb39258fe17a6eb5303_L.jpg)
With something like 25 seriously-campaigned J/109s around Ireland and throughout the Irish Sea, obviously you wouldn’t expect every boat to be heading for this weekend’s Irish Open Nationals in Dun Laoghaire. But by any standards a crack fleet of 15…
![Irish Sailing's J80 fleet has been purchased by the Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire](/media/k2/items/cache/145a59d48f4b8697ffd7d13ff21fd836_L.jpg)
A group of Royal St. George Yacht Club members have 'joined together' to purchase Irish Sailing's ten-year-old J80 fleet on behalf of the Dun Laoghaire harbour Club. The Royal St. George Yacht Club was one of several bidders for the…
![Racing was cancelled at the Laser Euros in Barcelona today](/media/k2/items/cache/619d48d74e282f84861c63dbbe397b2f_L.jpg)
Stoppages in Catalonia after independence poll violence has affected the Laser European Championships in Barcelona today. Irish sailors, including Aoife Hopkins, who won the U21 Euro title in July, competing at the event are staying about eight km from the centre of Barcelona. Hopkins,…
![Skellig Michael will appear on cinema screens the world over this December in Star Wars: The Last Jedi](/media/k2/items/cache/8a77f4f473b8dc3bc4abbf77ab47af6c_L.jpg)
#SkelligMichael - Skellig Michael’s visitor season, which closes today (Tuesday 3 October), may be extended to cater for “exceptional” demand. RTÉ News reports that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed it is reviewing a possible extension to the…
![Aill na Searrach at the Cliffs of Moher](/media/k2/items/cache/eb8dec0561c627b92c55771da61ac9f8_L.jpg)
#CliffsOfMoher - An inquest into the death of a BASE jumper at the Cliffs of Moher earlier this year has heard how his parachute opened in the wrong direction as he was in free fall from the top of the…
![The winter mooring period for public harbours on the above navigation will commence on 1st Nov 2017 and end on the 31st Mar 2018](/media/k2/items/cache/565a7b98f8816ffc6ddfb6a1d7053720_L.jpg)
Shannon Navigation Winter Mooring Period Commences on 1st Nov 2017
3rd October 2017 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland is advising masters that the winter mooring period for public harbours on the above navigation will commence on 1st Nov 2017 and end on the 31st Mar 2018. Masters are advised that the associated charges, €63.50, must be…
![Some of the sailors who gathered for Blackrock Sailing Club's inaugural sail on the River Lee](/media/k2/items/cache/2f7898c7516c4acca9a48864f5e8e9f3_L.jpg)
Meet Ireland's Newest Yacht Club – Blackrock Sailing Club Goes Afloat on the River Lee
3rd October 2017 Sailing Clubs
Blackrock Sailing Club on the River Lee in Cork Harbour became Ireland's newest sailing club last month when the new facility set sail in a fleet of refurbished Firefly dinghies operating from the pier at Blackrock village. At this stage…
Danish Shipping Giant DFDS Takes Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator title at World Travel Awards
3rd October 2017 Ferry
#ferrynews - Danish shipping transport giant, DFDS has been named Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator for the sixth year in a row at the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony. Breaking Travel News writes that DFDS beat four rival ferry operators…
![The rowers are junior doctors Seán Underwood and Patrick O’Connor, Cork-based podiatrist Eoin O’Farrell and young Dublin entrepreneur Thomas Browne](/media/k2/items/cache/56900826b44202a47fbb31da7ab7dd58_L.jpg)
Four Irish Men to Row The Atlantic for Cork University Hospital (CUH) Charity
3rd October 2017 Coastal Rowing
Cork University Hospital (CUH) is to receive vital funds as four Irish men compete in a 5,500km (3,000 nautical miles) rowing challenge across the Atlantic on December 12th to raise over €20,000 for the hospital’s Children’s Unit. The team, dubbed…
![The Dublin Docker, Working Lives of Dublin’s Deep - Sea Port, an illustrated book which recalls the era when thousands of men unloaded and loaded the ships by hand on Dublin Docks](/media/k2/items/cache/18eefb24d9de293c9a9c02614ec1bde2_L.jpg)
New Book Recalls Era of Dublin Docker - Painting A Life of Hardship & Humour
3rd October 2017 Book Review
Dublin Port Company today hosts the launch of The Dublin Docker, Working Lives of Dublin’s Deep - Sea Port, an illustrated book which recalls the era when thousands of men unloaded and loaded the ships by hand on Dublin Docks.…
![Royal Cork's Harry Durcan and Harry Whitaker with green spinnaker in a downwind leg at the 29er British Youth Nationals](/media/k2/items/cache/ade23f0fd5ef9f52b7363f64fb52bec1_L.jpg)
The Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire will host try-out sessions in the 29er youth skiff class this coming weekend. There'll be one hour try–out slots available with experienced 29er sailors on hand to assist. There will also…
![Howth with summer unexpectedly returned. The two J/109s Indian (Colm Buckley & Simon Knowles) and Storm (Pat Kelly) chase Stephen O’Faherty’s Spirit 54 Soufriere in Saturday’s Autumn League Double Bill. Overall in class, Storm leads from Liam Burke’s Tribal from Galway Bay SC, with Indian third](/media/k2/items/cache/c747c7907a75686fbb72b390cac67000_L.jpg)
Against many weather predictions, summer-like conditions at Howth Yacht Club blessed the third weekend of the Autumn League on Saturday afternoon with warm weather, increasingly bright sunshine, and an improving sailing breeze from south to southeast as the programme developed…
![With a tow set up, the lifeboat proceeded to take the fishing vessel into Lough Swilly. However, with deteriorating weather conditions and with both the tide and wind against them, a decision was made to tow the boat into Greencastle.](/media/k2/items/cache/4c964e01b20606c137862ace4df9e4a2_L.jpg)
Portrush RNLI in 15 hour Call Out to Rescue Six Fishermen From 15m Boat with Engine Failure (VIDEO)
2nd October 2017 RNLI Lifeboats
Portrush RNLI has rescued six fishermen during what was a 15 hour call out for the volunteers in rough weather conditions after the fishing boat sustained engine failure off the Donegal coast. The lifeboat crew was requested by Belfast Coastguard…
![New Racing Manager Appointed at The Royal Ocean Racing Club](/media/k2/items/cache/268a4a89c5c6b64a11a4efa63b765d7d_L.jpg)
The Royal Ocean Racing Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Stone as the new Racing Manager from mid-November 2017. He will succeed Nick Elliott at the international members' club based in London and Cowes. Chris from Australia…