Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
![Dublin Bay 21s Naneen and Estelle in close company in the Dublin Bay Sailing Club Saturday, 11th May race Dublin Bay 21s Number 3 Naneen (blue) and Number 6 Estelle (yellow) in close company in the Dublin Bay Sailing Club Saturday, 11th May race](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000vBlz6GoTmS0/s/848/I0000vBlz6GoTmS0.jpg)
Garavogue Takes the Lead in Saturday's Dublin Bay Twenty One Lady Helm Race
13th May 2024 Dublin Bay 21
Dublin Bay on Saturday, 11th May, presented perfect sailing conditions with sunshine, easterly F3/ F4 winds, and a reasonably flat sea state. A full turnout for the Dublin Bay Twentyones with a couple of newcomers to the fleet taking their…
![Shaun Douglas’s Beneteau 40.7 (Royal Ulster and Cockle Island BC) pictured here racing on Dublin Bay will compete in the 2024 Jura Scottish Series this month Shaun Douglas’s Beneteau 40.7 (Royal Ulster and Cockle Island BC) pictured here racing on Dublin Bay will compete in the 2024 Jura Scottish Series this month](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I000075pX7_llL4g/s/848/I000075pX7_llL4g.jpg)
Of the 86 current entries for the Jura Scottish Series which runs from 24th -27th May in Loch Fyne, nine are from Northern Ireland, with most coming from Belfast Lough. Competing in the eight-strong Sigma 33 OOD class will be…
![Magic mysterious moments - the Northern Light and the Stella Maris sculpture at Howth Harbour evoked an infinite universe and photographer Conor Turvey also captured the stars as part of the show Magic mysterious moments - the Northern Light and the Stella Maris sculpture at Howth Harbour evoked an infinite universe and photographer Conor Turvey also captured the stars as part of the show](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000eLS2HE8UFZs/s/878/I0000eLS2HE8UFZs.jpg)
The weekend's almost freakish display of the Northern Lights were better seen in some places than others. Howth on its peninsula avoided the later thundery rain which affected other parts of the country, some with flooding. The HYC Photography Fellowship…
![Trinity House is to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings in northern France. As part of events, on 14 May, the D-Day Torch will be in advance at Trinity House in London on its journey of commemoration from the UK to Normandy. Trinity House is to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings in northern France. As part of events, on 14 May, the D-Day Torch will be in advance at Trinity House in London on its journey of commemoration from the UK to Normandy. Above Roland Langmaid's painting of Juno Lightvessel and THV Warden off ‘Juno Beach’, Normandy, June 1944.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000TslUt6Ld5do/s/848/I0000TslUt6Ld5do.jpg)
Trinity House to Mark 80th Anniversary of D-Day With Events to Include Torch Ceremony
13th May 2024 Lighthouses
Trinity House, the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) for England, Wales, Channel Islands and Gibraltar, will join the international commemoration events of the D-Day Landings with its own story of tight planning and close collaboration in service of the historic Operation Overlord. In…
![Tom Scanlon, Gerry Hodgins (cox), Sarah McCann, Joanne Gerrard, Andy Grennan - Cassidy Cup winning team and fastest mixed crew at the eighth Annual Boyne Boat Race Tom Scanlon, Gerry Hodgins (cox), Sarah McCann, Joanne Gerrard, Andy Grennan - Cassidy Cup winning team and fastest mixed crew at the eighth Annual Boyne Boat Race](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ItR8siDiRhs/s/848/I0000ItR8siDiRhs.jpg)
The eighth annual Boyne coastal rowing race, hosted by Inver Colpa Rowing Club, took place on Sunday, May 5th, with crews from all across the country making their way once more to the starting point on the beach at Clogherhead,…
![Dun Laoghaire's National Yacht Club has been awarded €120,526 in the government's latest Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. See the full allocation to watersports below Dun Laoghaire's National Yacht Club has been awarded €120,526 in the government's latest Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. See the full allocation to watersports below](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000deUZR61qOAM/s/848/I0000deUZR61qOAM.jpg)
Watersports have secured €6,775,655 or 25% of the total allocation in the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, according to official reports. The allocations made in the latest round of the Programme on May 9th saw Rowing…
![Manannan on berthing trials at the new Liverpool terminal, where the seasonal route will connect between north-west England and Douglas Manannan on berthing trials at the new Liverpool terminal, where the seasonal route will connect between north-west England and Douglas; however it won't be open in time for the TT Races.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000Ax6UnsqEENs/s/848/I0000Ax6UnsqEENs.jpg)
On Merseyside, the new Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. ferry terminal in Liverpool won’t be open in time for this year’s TT. The £70 million facility at the Princes Half-Tide Dock, where work began in 2019 has been plagued…
![Duncan and Maura Sclare's local cutter Little Egret (left) heads out to meet AK Ilen in Clew Bay, County Mayo Duncan and Maura Sclare's local cutter Little Egret (left) heads out to meet AK Ilen in Clew Bay, County Mayo](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000d92XFU5nucQ/s/848/I0000d92XFU5nucQ.jpg)
The historic Irish ketch, Ilen, has docked at Westport, County Mayo to deliver a unique addiction recovery programme. The boat, which was built in the 1920s and underwent a full restoration in 2018, is now part of the award-winning charity…
![An anchor at the RMS Tayleur Memorial in Rush, Co. Dublin An anchor at the RMS Tayleur Memorial in Rush, Co. Dublin](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00001J69Va18._s/s/848/I00001J69Va18._s.jpg)
Talk: ‘Sinking of the Sailing Ship Tayleur, 1854’ at Rush Library This Thursday
13th May 2024 Historic Boats
Edward J. Bourke will give a talk on the 'Sinking of the Sailing Ship Tayleur, 1854' at Rush Library this Thursday, 16th May at 6.30 pm. To attend the talk, booking is available through Fingal Libraries (see details below). The…
![Six Dragons contested the O’Leary Life Keelboat Regatta at Kinsale Yacht Club Six Dragons contested the O’Leary Life Keelboat Regatta at Kinsale Yacht Club](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000m1.kMCL6gQM/s/848/I0000m1.kMCL6gQM.jpg)
Tie-Break Decides Dragon Class at Kinsale Yacht Club's O’Leary Life Keelboat Regatta
13th May 2024 Kinsale
A tie-break decided the six-boat Dragon Class season opener at Kinsale Yacht Club's O’Leary Keelboat Regatta on May 12th. With close racing over two days, James Matthews, David Good, and Fergal O’Hanlon on TBD took the trophy after six intense races. Ghost,…
![Eight teams competed in Elliott 6m sportsboats at the 2024 Irish Match Racing National Championships organised by the Irish Match Racing Association at the National Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire Harbour Eight teams competed in Elliott 6m sportsboats at the 2024 Irish Match Racing National Championships organised by the Irish Match Racing Association at the National Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire Harbour](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000H9g0s7rCTR0/s/848/I0000H9g0s7rCTR0.jpg)
Royal St. George Yacht Club Higgins Brothers are Crowned 2024 Irish Match Racing Champions at Dun Laoghaire
12th May 2024 Match Racing
Royal St. George Yacht Club trio Tom, Henry and Jack Higgins were crowned 2024 Irish Match Racing Champions after eight teams competed over two days in the National Yacht Club's Elliott 6m sportsboat fleet in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Waterford Harbour match racer…
![Skellig Michael is home to a profusion of seabird life, and neighbouring Little Skellig is the second-largest gannet colony in the world Skellig Michael is home to a profusion of seabird life, and neighbouring Little Skellig is the second-largest gannet colony in the world](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000zd2883Djidg/s/848/I0000zd2883Djidg.jpg)
UNESCO world heritage site Skellig Michael ( Sceilg Mhichíl) has opened to visitors for the 2024 season. Access to the monastic site off the Kerry coast is dependent on favourable weather, sea, and island conditions, the Office of Public Works…
![The inaugural 44 Cup in Baiona, Spain, drew some of the best crews in the world, including Irish sailors Oisin McClelland and Cian Guilfoyle on board Aleph Racing (above), Simon Johnson on the Black Star Racing Team, and Grattan Roberts, who joins Team Ceeref Vaider for the 2024 season The inaugural 44 Cup in Baiona, Spain, drew some of the best crews in the world, including Irish sailors Oisin McClelland and Cian Guilfoyle on board Aleph Racing (above), Simon Johnson on the Black Star Racing Team, and Grattan Roberts, who joins Team Ceeref Vaider for the 2024 season](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000H9BOBfokj5I/s/848/I0000H9BOBfokj5I.jpg)
Artemis Racing emerged victorious at the 44Cup Baiona, held at the Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona (MRCYB) in Galicia, after winning five out of nine races. The second event of the 2024 44Cup concluded on Sunday, after a…
![Yachts and boats dressed overall for a multi-coloured parade of sail on the River Liffey as part of the annual 'Blessing of the Boats' ceremony at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on Sunday, May 12th. Scroll down for a photo gallery of participating boats Yachts and boats dressed overall for a multi-coloured parade of sail on the River Liffey as part of the annual 'Blessing of the Boats' ceremony at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on Sunday, May 12th. Scroll down for a photo gallery of participating boats](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000KCgezlJKypY/s/848/I0000KCgezlJKypY.jpg)
Flotilla Gathers for Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club's 'Blessing of Boats' Ceremony on Dublin's River Liffey
12th May 2024 Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club
Up to 30 yachts and motorboats joined the annual Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club parade of sailing down the River Liffey and out into Dublin Bay on Sunday afternoon, a tribute to deceased members of the Dublin City club. The…
![File image of the 14th Lock on the Grand Canal at Killeenbeg, Co Kildare File image of the 14th Lock on the Grand Canal at Killeenbeg, Co Kildare](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00002icO1n5TLpM/s/500/I00002icO1n5TLpM.jpg)
Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on the Grand Canal that the 14th Lock at Devonshire Bridge in Co Kildare has been closed with immediate effect. Navigation through the lock is not possible at this time. Further notices in…
![Waterways Ireland logo Waterways Ireland logo](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000DTYTkD7Uumo/s/500/I0000DTYTkD7Uumo.jpg)
Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that water levels in all areas north of Lough Ree are now at Ordinary Summer Level. Water levels on the Shannon Navigation south of Lough Ree are approaching…
![The Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla gathers on the River Thames outside the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday 8 May The Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla gathers on the River Thames outside the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday 8 May](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000uPNxtDl5tdY/s/500/I0000uPNxtDl5tdY.jpg)
UK Government Receives Another Wake-Up Call From Inland Waterways Campaigners
12th May 2024 Inland Waterways
Campaign group Fund Britain’s Waterways has returned to Westminster to deliver a loud and clear message for funding to safeguard the future of the country’s canals and river navigations. The 20-strong flotilla on Wednesday (8 May) was a spectacle for…
![Seán Waddilove (left) and Robert Dickson Seán Waddilove (left) and Robert Dickson](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000B4rV6rx_B4s/s/500/I0000B4rV6rx_B4s.jpg)
Dickson and Waddilove Secure Their Paris 2024 Spot as Guilfoyle and Durcan Are Denied Chance to Close the Gap
12th May 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove have emerged best of the two Irish contenders to compete in the men’s skiff event at Paris 2024 this summer. The Dublin crew — from Howth Yacht Club and Skerries Sailing Club respectively — qualified…
![The dead whale was removed from the cruise ship and towed to shore in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The endangered sei whale has undergone a necropsy, which may help determine whether or not it was killed by the ship The dead whale was removed from the cruise ship and towed to shore in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The endangered sei whale has undergone a necropsy, which may help determine whether or not it was killed by the ship](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000UNyWmTVqiE8/s/848/I0000UNyWmTVqiE8.jpg)
The body of a 44-foot long endangered sei whale was found on the bow of a cruise ship as it approached New York last weekend. As CBS news reports, the carcass was discovered as the ship neared the Brooklyn Cruise…
![The National Yacht Club J109 Ruth was skippered by Tom Shanahan with a youthful crew to win overall in the first ISORA Cross-Channel Race of 2024 from Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli, a 90-miler that took over 21 hours to complete The National Yacht Club J109 Ruth was skippered by Tom Shanahan with a youthful crew to win overall in the first ISORA Cross-Channel Race of 2024 from Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli, a 90-miler that took over 21 hours to complete](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000QKsDz7Yh3bE/s/848/I0000QKsDz7Yh3bE.jpg)
The Shanahan family J109, Ruth, of the National Yacht Club, pulled off a late-race victory in Saturday's marathon ISORA race from Dun Laoghaire to Pwhelli in North Wales. The win is a significant result in one of the biggest ISORA…