MacDara Conroy
MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business
#COASTGUARD - Staff from the Clyde coastguard in Scotland will go on strike late tonight in protest at the threatened closure of their station. As the Clydebank Post reports, the strike in the early hours from 3am to 4am begins…
#MARINE WARNING - A small craft weather warning is in effect today as strong easterly winds bring heavy rains sweeping across Ireland. Met Éireann reports that strong gales between force 5 and 6 are developing this morning on all coasts…
'Worrying Fall' in Salmon Numbers Prompts Conservation Measures on Foyle System
5th June 2012 Angling
#ANGLING - Voluntary conservation measures have been put in place on the Foyle system for the current angling season to help shore up wild salmon numbers, The Irish Times reports. The move is in response to a "worrying fall" in…
#LIFEBOATS - Four children were rescued from a rising tide on Sunday in what was a busy June bank holiday weekend for Ireland's RNLI lifeboats. The Irish Times reports that a 10-year-old and three teenagers were with their father on…
#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - A shorter route with smaller boats and streamlined teams are among the big changes to the Volvo Ocean Race expected to be announced in the next few weeks, as the Daily Telegraph reports. The changes come…
#OLYMPICS - The Olympic torch lit up the slipways of Harland and Wolff - where the Titanic was built a century ago - in Belfast this morning as the five-day relay through Ireland begins. The torch will follow a route looping…
#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - The incredible finish of the latest leg of the Volvo Ocean Race wasn't the only drama on the high seas for one competing team. Just days before CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand had the misfortune…
#JUBILEE FLOTILLA - A couple from Bangor in Co Down will cruise their boat among the hundreds of vessels packed in the River Thames today for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee flotilla. As BBC News reports, Robin and Evelyn Clark believe…
#MARINE WILDLIFE - The Department of Energy could be in beach of the EU habitats directive for licensing a seismic survey off the West coast without providing adequate protection for marine wildlife. As The Irish Times reports, the Irish Whale…
#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing secured their first leg victory of the Volvo Ocean Race last night in Portugal - pipping Groupama to the post by less than six minutes. "It's one of the most amazing experiences…
#MARINE WARNING - As wind farm projects expand around the coasts of the UK and Ireland, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has raised concerns about an unexpected hazard for boaters navigating near such installations. Taking the London Array and Kentish…
#SURFING - Credit goes to WorldIrish for a great find in this video featuring Canadian surfing pros Noah Cohen and Nico Manos on a recent trip to Ireland to sample our world-class waves. The duo captured footage of their wave-riding…
#FERRY NEWS - The veteran Stena Line ferry Stena Caledonia was spotted on sea trials in Belfast Lough last weekend pending its possible sale. As Irish Sea Shipping reports, ASDP Ferry of Indonesia is thought to have an interest in…
#WATERFRONT PROPERTY - Two wonderful properties overlooking Rusheen Bay near Galway city are sure to tempt those looking for a home with stunning views and salty air. Coole is a spacious (201 sqm) five-bed detached family home on an elevated…
#RESCUE - Brave volunteers from the Baltimore RNLI saved the day when they jumped aboard a runaway speedboat heading for a busy pier last Friday. As the Irish Examiner reports, it was one of four dramatic rescues made by the…
#ANGLING - Welsh angler Ceri Jones couldn't believe his luck when he fished a record-breaking monster trout from Lough Corrib last weekend. According to The Connacht Telegraph, Jones hooked the 24lb goliath near the lake's biggest island Inishgoll on Saturday…
#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - Some 40 sailboats from Galway Bay Sailing Club converged in Galway on Saturday for a dress rehearsal of the sail parade that will take place as part of the city's Volvo Ocean Race events. As Galway…
#COASTGUARD - Campaigners for the Liverpool coastguard are urging the public to sign an e-petition to stop the closure of the city's search and rescue base. According to BBC News, the Liverpool station at Crosby is one of eight centres…
#RESCUE - Two divers reported missing in Dublin Bay this morning have been rescued by the RNLI lifeboat from Dun Laoghaire. The pair had been with a group diving off the Muglins Rock, close to Dalkey Island, but did not…
#KAYAKING - Firefighters from Northern Ireland are currently undertaking the challenge of a lifetime to raise funds for a local children's charity, as UTV Live News reports. Starting yesterday, the eight-strong team from Belfast and Lisburn embarked on the Celtic…
