Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

The J/70 European Championships kicks off today with 'Team Wildcard' as the only Irish entry for this year's highly competitive event in Italy. With over 70 J/70s from 18 nations, the event in Argentario is going to make for five…

A prominent maritime charity organisation, Liverpool Seafarers Centre, supporting 50,000 seafarers each year at the port in north-west England, has recently been featured by the BBC with thought-provoking podcasts. The two podcasts, titled “The Food Chain, Hungry at Sea” and…

So many boat events are scheduled in Ireland for this weekend that the powers-that-be should maybe take notice, and make it into the Bank Holiday that everyone seems to think it is. The official one at the beginning of May…

The Shannon Estuary’s Scattery Island is to reopen to visitors on Friday, May 24th. Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Kieran O’Donnell TD noted that the OPW had recently restored the “street” on the island. It…

“James Joyce and Dublin Bay” is the title of maritime historian Cormac Lowth’s latest lecture which he is giving in Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club later this week. Lowth will be discussing and interpreting some of the many references made…

Galway RNLI lifeboat volunteer Olivia Byrne has been recognised for her exceptional service as a finalist for the prestigious Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Award. The award, which acknowledges the vital work of first responders and the significant role of women in…

A West Cork fishing skipper has had fines totalling 4,000 euro imposed after a court hearing relating to breaches of sea fisheries law. The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says that the case was heard at Bandon District Court, Co…

RYA Northern Ireland has been working closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Stephen Dunne, MLA for North Down to arrange a marine flare disposal day for Northern Ireland boaters. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, marine flares…

Those who are unaware of some of the more offbeat aspects of Irish maritime history can be forgiven for wondering how it is that Rogerstown, Rush and Skerries – all in the heart of heavily horticultural North Fingal - between…

Howth Yacht Club’s Eve McMahon is UCD’s 2024 Sportsperson of the Year, as announced at the UCD Athletic Union Council Sports Awards last Thursday (16 May). The BComm International student and ILCA 6 sailor receives the award for her phenomenal…

Lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI sprang into action yesterday afternoon following a distress call from the Irish Coast Guard. The call, received at 4:30 pm on Sunday, May 19, requested assistance for a family pet that had fallen from a…

Ten Irish marinas were awarded a Blue Flag in Ireland in 2023, nine of these have retained Blue Flag status for the coming season. The Blue Flag awarded to Greencastle Marina in 2023 was withdrawn by Donegal County Council in…

The Clogherhead RNLI Lifeboat station celebrated its 125th-anniversary last weekend with perfect weather, as the sun shone in a deep blue sky and the wind remained non-existent. The festivities kicked off on Saturday, 18th May, with a group of enthusiastic…

The rowing crews from Ireland continue to tick the boxes at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland. Another good day of racing has seen all three boats progress to their respective A Finals, and they are in with…

Two US-based sailors will add an international flavour to the fourth Irish RS Aero National Championships on the 15th & 16th of June at Howth Yacht Club. Paul McMahon of the host club is the defending champion and will be…

Dublin Bay's Sutton Dinghy Club, located on Strand Road, Sutton, Dublin 13, is currently on the lookout for a passionate and dynamic Sailing Centre Manager to join their team. Established in 1940, the club has a rich history and a…

Irish Lights is a maritime organisation delivering essential 24/7 safety and navigation services around the coast of Ireland and Northern Ireland, 365 days a year. It is responsible for Maritime Aids to Navigation under the Safety of Life at Sea…

For Terry Windsor of Carrickfergus Sailing Club on the north shore of Belfast Lough, awards come in twos. Last year, he received an award from East Antrim Borough Council for Services to Sport in recognition of 28 years of service…

The second race of the May league for the 'Genaveve Plate' was raced at Schull Harbour Sailing Club in West Cork on Saturday in near 'tropical' conditions, according to organisers. The fleet started downwind from the harbour line in a…

A seafood industry leader has expressed anger at the “complete inaction” by Ireland’s marine minister, Charlie McConalogue, to secure a quota for bluefin tuna. Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation (IS&WFPO) chief executive Patrick Murphy, who is standing as…