MacDara Conroy
MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business
A new radar system in Galway Bay could help predict extreme weather events more accurately, The Irish Times reports. http://afloat.ie/port-news/galway-harbour/ http://www.afloat.ie/resources/weather/ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1027/1224306561936.html Scientists at NUI Galway's Ryan Institute, in collaboration with the IBM Smarter Cities Technology Centre in Dublin, have…
The first of the in-port races ahead of the Volvo Ocean Race start tomorrow in Alicante – and top Irish sailors are among the six teams competing. http://afloat.ie/sail/events/volvo-ocean-race/ Wexford’s Justin Slattery is on Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, which is competing…
Police in Northern Ireland are investigating whether a body washed up on a Co Down beach is that of a kayaker who went missing on Carlingford Lough more than two weeks ago. http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/kayaking/ As previously reportd on Afloat.ie, area man…
Ireland's canoeists distinguished themselves at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Singapore last weekend, as The Irish Times reports. http://afloat.ie/watersport/canoeing/ http://afloat.ie/watersport/canoeing/item/17179-irish-contingent-in-singapore-for-canoe-marathon-worlds http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/1024/1224306389444.html In the women's K1 event, Jenny Egan placed eighth out of 25 entrants. Egan kept pace with…
The body of an off-duty garda who was swept away by floodwater in Co Wicklow during Monday's torrential rain has been recovered. The Irish Times reports that 25-year-old Garda Ciaran Jones was pulled into the River Liffey at the Ballysmuttan…
A traditional Irish sailing boat is on the way to Abu Dhabi in a cultural exchange that will also see six Arabian dhows in Galway for the finish of the Volvo Ocean Race next summer. http://afloat.ie/sail/ http://afloat.ie/port-news/galway-harbour/ http://www.afloat.ie/sail/events/volvo-ocean-race/ The National…
The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport details the training requirements for the use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) as a primary means of navigation. Mandatory carriage requirements for ECDIS will be…
Seasonality, climate change and the environment were the hot topics discussed at the inaugural meeting of the National Inland Fisheries Forum in Athlone last Thursday. http://afloat.ie/inland/ Inland Fisheries Ireland chief executive Dr Ciaran Byrne hosted the forum, whose 60 voluntary…
An Irish contingent is in Singapore this weekend to compete at the 19th ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships. http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/canoeing/ In the women's K1, Jenny Egan - the Irish Times/Irish Sports Council Sportwoman of the Month in June this year -…
Experts in the United States are investigating the possibility of a disease outbeak as the number of dead seals found on New England beaches continues to grow. The Gloucester Times in Massachusetts reports that some 128 harbour seals have been…
Ireland's first ever 'big wave' surfing contest has been immortalised in a new documentary film (SEE TRAILER BELOW). http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/surfing/ High Pressure – The Story of Ireland’s First Big Wave Surfing Contest follows the story of those hardy souls who took…
Ireland's 2010 Commodore's Cup winning captain showed his relief at the news that Hong Kong have been tipped as favourites for next July's event, The Irish Times reports. http://www.afloat.ie/sail/events/commodores-cup/ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/1021/1224306212856.html The announcement was made this week at the Royal Ocean…
Ireland's aquatic sports are way off target for qualification for next summer's Olympic Games, according to performance heads. “The reality is we’re no better than a 50-50 chance of qualifying a crew," said Rowing Ireland performance director Martin McElroy, who…
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has announced two new reports of whale spottings off the Irish coast in recent days. http://www.iwdg.ie/article.asp?id=2493 On 14 October the east coast rescue helicopter spotted a group of at least five lunge-feeding whales…
Environmentalists have welcomed the decision by the Minister for the Marine to refuse a permit for commercial sea bass fishing in the Celtic Sea, The Irish Times reports. http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/fishing/ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1019/1224306074351.html The Friends of the Irish Environment hailed Minister Simon Coveney's…
Northern Ireland's sports minister has announced that there will be no increase in fishing licence fees for the 2012 angling seasons. http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/angling/ Carál Ní Chuilín said that "In light of the current economic climate, I have decided to keep the…
A TV producer is seeking surfers to take part in the next series of TV3's hit dating programme Take Me Out. Sideline Productions is looking for both male and female "fun loving" contestants to audition for the enertainment show, where…
New evidence is indicating that wild salmon are adapting to climate change by feeding in colder waters, The Irish Times reports. According to salmon expert Dr Ken Whelan, wild salmon are now diving as far as 800m below the surface…
Dun Laoghaire Apartment Provides Stunning Vistas of Dublin Bay
16th October 2011 Waterfront Property
New to the market in Dun Laoghaire is a two-bed apartment in a luxury development of 100 homes overlooking the waterfront marina. http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/dun-laoghaire-news/ http://www.afloat.ie/resources/business/waterfront-property/ As The Sunday Business Post reports, Number 99 at Harbour View boasts spectaulcar views of Dublin…
Dr John de Courcy Ireland Remembered at Connemara Maritime Festival
16th October 2011 Maritime Festivals
Ireland's leading maritime histortian will be remembered during Conamara Sea Week, which starts next Friday. The 10-day programme celebrating the west of Ireland's rich maritime heritage kicks off just two days after the centenary of the late Dr John de…