Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

RBC Brewin Dolphin proudly supporting Afloat and Irish Boating

Carrickfergus Sailing Club Marks 160 Years This April

10th February 2026
Legacy Afloat — Carrickfergus Sailing Club celebrates 160 years on Belfast Lough as members and visitors gather by the historic harbour during its anniversary season.

Carrickfergus Sailing Club will mark its 160th anniversary this spring, highlighting its long-standing role on Belfast Lough.

Founded in 1866, the club has grown from informal local racing into a sailing institution serving generations across Northern Ireland and beyond.

The anniversary year coincides with the Irish Boat Jumble on Sunday, 12 April 2026, a familiar date in the club calendar. Organisers say the event reflects both heritage and ongoing activity.

“The jumble is more than a market,” a club spokesperson said. “It’s a social event where people pass on knowledge and keep gear circulating back into use.”

Quayside Buzz — Crowds browse stalls along the marina at Carrickfergus as the Irish Boat Jumble draws traders and visitors from across Ireland and Britain on a bright spring day.Quayside Buzz — Crowds browse stalls along the marina at Carrickfergus as the Irish Boat Jumble draws traders and visitors from across Ireland and Britain on a bright spring day.

Now established for three decades, the Irish Boat Jumble is known for its variety, atmosphere and waterfront setting near Carrickfergus Castle and the town marina.

Each spring, traders and visitors arrive from across Ireland and Britain, creating a busy quayside scene. The attraction lies as much in the shared experience as in the search for unusual finds.

This year’s stalls are expected to include marine equipment, sails, tools and electronics, alongside vintage goods, fishing tackle and local produce.

Charitable collections during the day will support the RNLI.

Afloat.ie Team

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

Direct Donation to Afloat button