Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

In 1828, when the recently re-named and still only semi-finished harbour of Kingstown on Dublin Bay staged its first regatta, it certainly gave an indication of the transformed place’s potential for waterborne sport. Yet it was not until 1831 that…

Two people were rescued by Baltimore RNLI yesterday afternoon (Thursday 19 September) after their sailing dinghy was stranded ashore on Spanish Island near the West Cork harbour. The inshore lifeboat was on scene within minutes, and quickly established a tow…

Olympic helmsman Mark Mansfield, who is now a sailing coach, provides some sailor-focused thoughts for Race Officers Over the past few years, I have been competing in various sailing events throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA. Very often…

Minister for Marine Michael Creed has been forced to close the Celtic Sea herring fishery due to a virtual collapse of the multi-million euro stock writes Lorna Siggins The closure order, which has not yet been released publicly, was issued…

I won’t be challenging Hal Sisk’s confident declaration that he is Chairman of “the world’s oldest cruiser-racer class!” His offer to anyone to challenge him sounded across Kilrush Boatyard to where I had driven over 400 kilometres from Cork to…

While last year it was the threat of a gale warning decreased numbers, this year, it is an unfortunate clash with the opening Irish match at the Rugby World Cup. Accordingly, the DMYC has postponed the first gun to 10.55…

Among the firsts BJ Marine have brought to the Southampton International Boat Show this week is the new Flyer 10. The flagship of Beneteau’s dayboat range is really a powerboat under the skin, blending style and comfort — across four…

Seven successful applicants will be awarded funding under the Marine Institute’s SmartBay National Infrastructure Access Programme (NIAP) following the 2018/2019 funding call. The awardees will receive support of around €25,000 per project to trial and validate their technology and/or gain…

Olympic Silver medalist Annalise Murphy is expected to return to the Laser Radial dinghy immediately after abandoning hopes of a final qualification chance in the 49erfX dinghy she has been campaigning with Katie Tingle for Tokyo 2020. After a 'hugely…

Irish authorities are still detaining a cargo ship close to Kinvara in south Galway Bay after its hull sprang a leak while loading cargo for the Bahamas writes Lorna Siggins As Afloat reported previously, the 30m ship Evora was detained last…

Dublin's MGM Boats are on the international boat show trail this month and having concluded a successful Cannes Show in the South of France last weekend, the Irish yacht broker set up in Southampton this week where the Cote d'Azur…

The Dalkey Tidy Towns team is now ready for the official unveiling of the restored World War II-era ÉIRE sign at Hawk Cliff below the Vico Road. This past summer the rediscovered information panel — one of 80 installed around…

Independent analysis on media coverage during the 2018 Golden Globe Race says the event attracted worldwide coverage worth as much as US$185 million. Les Sables d’Olonne, which will be the host start and finish port again in 2022, gained two…

John Leahy, Honorary Secretary Cruising Association of Ireland, reports on this year’s "Three Bridges Liffey Cruise" The Cruising Association of Ireland’s “Three Bridges Liffey” cruise is an annual end of season mini social cruise which attracts a large number of…

Jacob VII ends the RC35 season with another regatta victory but it's still not enough to unseat reigning champions Animal from securing back to back Scottish RC35 Championships writes Robin Young. The RC35 fleet, racing in the final round of…

Renowned powerboat racer and designer Fabio Buzzi has been killed with two others while attempting to set a speed record in Venice last night (Tuesday 17 September), as Reuters reports. Buzzi (76) had been attempting to set a new record…

A new exhibition of classic racing boat paintings by Afloat.ie reader James Gilna opens today (Wednesday 18 September) at the National Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire. And the artist himself will be in attendance to discuss the works included in…

The traditional Tall Ship sailing vessel "Eye of the Wind" will reach Dublin Port within the next few days. The "Eye of the Wind" is 109 years old, sails under UK flag, and is considered to be a "sailing legend"…

Once thought impossible due to the entire seven boat fleet rotting in a County Wicklow farmyard, the first revived Dublin Bay 21 'Naneen' was revealed yesterday at Kilrush Boatyard in County Clare.  The Hal Sisk led project has been working…

There are already notable entries in for Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn Series 2019 that begins in just over ten days time under new sponsor banner: Horgan’s Quay, Cork. Racing starts on Saturday, September 29th and continues on October 06th,…