MacDara Conroy
MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business
Dun Laoghaire will play host to two new and exciting events this coming August. The first annual Dublin Bay Taste & Music Fest takes place at the Peoples' Park from 26-28 August. Pitched as a 'back to basics' celebration of…
A new website for Cork Harbour has been launched at CorkHarbour.ie providing up-to-dae information for local residents and anyone who uses the harbour. The site features videos and photo galleries of habour life as well as links to groups and…
New plans for the Dun Laoghaire Baths are due to be displayed shortly in County Hall. Proposals for the project, which is estimated to cost up to €21 million, include the retention and refurbishment of the existing baths pavilion to…
A foreshore lease application has been lodged for a series of offshore windfarms in Dublin Bay. The Dublin Array, to be situated on the Bray and Kish Banks some 10km from the coast, would consist of 145 turbines, each 160m…
Ocean to City, Cork Harbour's annual maritime festival, takes place this year from 3-12 June. http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/cork-harbour-news/ The yearly celebration of Cork’s maritime history and its unique harbour begins on Friday 3 June when members of the public can voyage through…
Minister for Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte has announced plans to reopen licensed commercial fishing in Castlemaine Harbour in Co Kerry, following the results of last year's pilot fishery. “I am satisfied, based on scientific and fishery management advice... that it…
Represent Your County at the First Waterways Ireland Sailing Championship
20th May 2011 Inland Waterways
Does your club want to represent your county in the Waterways Ireland Inter-Counties Sailing Championship 2011? Now is your chance to race the ISA SailFleet J80s against other county teams for the honour of being crowned the inaugural Waterways Ireland…
The crew of sailors, artists, musicians and historians on board Ar Seachrán - who are retracing the famous voyage of St Brendan - were refused permission to land on Skellig Michael, it has emerged. The Kerryman reports that though some…
Basking sharks have dominated recent sightings of large marine wildlife, according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/ The largest shark species in Irish waters accounted for a whopping 43% of sightings submitted to the IWDG's ISCOPE database…
Dun Laoghaire's future lies in tourism and leisure, according to a submission on the new 'master plan' for the busy harbour. http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/dun-laoghaire-news/ The Irish Times reports that the town's top sailing and yacht clubs, who have come together under the…
Dublin Bay it set to burst alive with 'joie de vivre' during the only foreign stopover in the world-famous French Solitaire du Figaro yacht race. Dun Laoghaire will be the only international stop in the race, considered the unofficial world…
RNLI Bangor's volunteer lifeboat search and rescue crew were pleased to receive a donation of £500 from the Bangor Marina Berth Holders Association this week. http://www.afloat.ie/safety/lifeboats/ http://www.afloat.ie/safety/rescue/ Association chairman Martin Wilson said: "Every year our members raise funds for various…
The annual Blessing of the Boats took place recently at Rush Sailing Club, the North County Leader reports. Local priest Fr Kieran Coughlan conducted the ceremony, which took place away from the boats this year due to particularly blustery conditions…
A security firm based in Wexford town has offered electronic protection and 24-hour monitoring to Wexford County Council in a bid to secure funding for lifebuoys on Wexford Bridge. According to the Wexford People, the move comes after a spate…
The latest Marine Notice from the DTTAS includes important information for recreational craft expected to attend the Tall Ships Races in Waterford from 30 June to 3 July. www.dttas.ie http://www.afloat.ie/sail/tall-ships/ Race organisers and the Waterford harbour master have issued an…
Dublin's Lord Mayor Gerry Breen will assume the traditional title of Admiral of the Port of Dublin when he presides over the Parade of Sail on the Liffey later this month. The parade on Sunday 29 May is a highlight…
World Oceans Day on 8 June will see the launch European Fish Week 2011 at Trinity College's Long Room Hub. The evening will comprise an exhibition and brief talk on this year's theme of 'Back to the Future' - reclaiming…
The Irish Independent reports that the family of a man who drowned with a friend on a kayaking trip are considering legal action over the lack of warning signs at the weir where they lost their lives. Accident investigators have…
The Red Bull Flugtag celebrates its 100th event in Dun Laoghaire next Sunday, and organisers have posted details for spectators planning to spend the day cheering on those magnificent flying machines! http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/dun-laoghaire-news/item/15214-dublin-to-host-100th-red-bull-flugtag/ http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/dun-laoghaire-news/ The site for the free event will…
Irish sailing bosses are determined to "stand on the podium" at the 2012 Olympic Games. http://www.afloat.ie/sail/ http://www.afloat.ie/sail/events/olympics-2012/ That was the message from last week's briefing by Ireland's four Olympic 'water sports' of canoeing, rowing, swimming and sailing, covered in The…
