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Displaying items by tag: Student yachting world championships

Team Ireland has finally arrived at the Student Yachting World Championships in La Trinité Sur Mer after 24hours on the road, the trip being made easy thanks to the team van kindly provided by AVIS Ireland.

Today the team got their first taste of the ups and downs of the week to come when they received their charter boat. After an initial inspection, a few key problems were found in the gear supplied by the organisers. However after a short testing session and some discussion, a few of the problems were resolved by the end of the day. Despite their troubles with the boat, the team still hopes to rectify the rest of these problems tomorrow but they remain quietly confident of being one of the favourites to bring the cup back home to Ireland.

Excitement is building, as tomorrow a practice race will take place to give all the teams a last chance to fine tune their boats and crew skills before the big kick off on Sunday. Strong winds and heavy seas are forecast for Sunday and the following couple of days provoking mixed emotions amongst all involved in the competition.

On the eve of the regatta, the team would like to thank Bank of Ireland, AVIS Ireland, Euro Car Parks and of course Cork Institute of Technology for all their help and support as their challenge here in France would not be possible without them.

George Kenefick

Published in Youth Sailing

Dun Laoghaire Baths Renovation

Afloat has been reporting on the new plans for the publically owned Dun Laoghaire Baths site located at the back of the East Pier since 2011 when plans for its development first went on display by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. 

Foreshore consent was applied for in 2013.

Last used 30 years ago as the 'Rainbow Rapids' before falling into dereliction – the new site does not include a public pool.

The refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths include the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces, a gallery café and for the provision of public toilet facilities. 

Work finally got underway at Dún Laoghaire on the €9 million redevelopments of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site in June 2018 under a contract with SIAC-Mantovani.

The works have removed dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to permit the creation of a new route and landscaping that will connect the walkway at Newtownsmith to both the East Pier and the Peoples Park. 

Original saltwater pools have been filled in and new enhanced facilities for swimming and greater access to the water’s edge by means of a short jetty have also been provided.

The works included the delivery of rock armour to protect the new buildings from storm damage especially during easterly gales. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing during the construction phase with plastic fibres used in construction washing into the sea in November 2018

Work continues on the project in Spring 2020 with the new pier structure clearly visible from the shoreline.

A plinth at the end of the pier will be used to mount a statue of Roger Casement, a former Sandycove resident and Irish nationalist.