With significant anniversaries in winter frostbite series upon us, some reports found in the 1977 Afloat Magazine reinforce the feeling that the sailing radiating out from Dun Laoghaire reflects a sense of the continuing community traditions around the splendid 207-years-old granite harbour, and those who use it recreationally.
Thus while outsiders may sometimes wonder why the voters of this area elect some decidedly eccentric public representatives, the simple answer is that they can afford to. The underlying wealth and settled community mood in the greater Dun Laoghaire area have been a long time a-building, and one of its most importance elements is a significant level of tolerance.
Although the former Frostbite start point on the Green at left is now unavailable within the Marina, there continues to be room to set up racing services in other parts of the still-extensive in-harbour open space. Meanwhile, the divisive effect of the coastal railway separating harbour from town is gradually being reduced
OFF-THE-WALL VIEWS?
Then too, there's the underlying sense of democracy at work. While some local politicians in Dun Laoghaire seem to have off-the-wall views on national and international matters, their first commitment is to the democratic process in preserving all that is best about Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Certainly, that's the abiding impression we took away from the Save Our Seafront meetings that were being held some years ago, when the harbour's future was at a crossroads.
The broad view. The impression of Dun Laoghaire Harbour as the dynamic conduit between sea and land is clearly evident
Taking democracy for granted is a big mistake. Preserving it involves hard work, even if it's not a perfect system. For it is the least imperfect of all the systems available. However, it is hard and continuous mental work to maintain a truly democratic outlook, yet that is the impression given again and again at the SOS meetings. And that in turn is reflected in the sense of continuing community among those going afloat, prompted by answering the question of "Where Are They Now?" after reading the 1977 reports.
Many are right here and still active. A report on the 76-77 Winter season in Dun Laoghaire tells us that Laser Team Racing is providing a new twist to the annual frostbite series. "Five-boat groups of mixed talents race within the Lasers' 25-strong fleet, the theory being that no matter low anyone's place is in the pecking order, they still keep trying in order to contribute a little more to their group's points total".
BEST WINTER TURNOUT OF 65 BOATS
The best all-classes turnout total in that winter series of 1976-77 was 65 boats, with an average of 54. The Lasers were being fought out at mid-series between Ailbe Millerick of the National and Dermod Baker of Bray, with Mick O'Hare of the National "snapping at their heels".
Norman and Ken Lee of Greystones with their GP 14 at the Worlds 2014 at East Down YC on Strangford Lough. One of Norman's earliest mentions in dispatches was back in 1977 with the Frostbites in Dun Laoghaire harbour
As for the mixed classes under PY, they saw the top places filled by John Mulvey's GP14 from the then-tiny club at Rush (crewed at mid-series by Norman Lee of Greystones), Gerry Donleavy from the National racing a 420, and Michael Maguire (Royal Irish) sailing a Mirror.
RUSH ON TOP
At the series conclusion on March 27th 1977, John Mulvey of Rush, now crewed by Ciaran Crummey continued as champion of the Mixed Fleet with his GP14. Gerry Donleavy of the National took second crewed by Gavin Brunel, but having started with a 420, they finished with two races in Gerry's new Fireball, while Michael Maguire still held third, crewed by his son Justin in a Mirror, the smallest boat in the fleet.
Going further down the leaderboard produces more names still going strong, as Mark Pettit (RStGYC) and Colin Galavan were fourth OA in a Firefly, Guy Kilroy and Nigel Taylor took fifth in a 420, Bruce Archer and Mal Nowlan of the National were sixth in another 420, and seventh was Denis Nolan of DMYC racing a Phantom single-hander.
Ailbe Millerick on his way to his first win with the self-restored Glen OD Glenluce on Dublin Bay. Way back in 1977, he was overall winner of the Lasers in the Dun Laoghaire Frostbite series
The Lasers of 1976-77 ring more bells, as Ailbe Millerick retained his overall lead from Dermod Baker with one of the youngest helms, Mark O'Hare, staying in third. Then we strike yet more "name gold" in the follow-up places, with Chris Arrowsmith fourth, Paul Maguire (National YC) fifth, and John Sugars sixth. Particularly notable was Johnny Ross Murphy in seventh, an ironic situation as he was only able to do a few races because much of his time and energy was being taken up with the Laser production facility in Waterford.
The traditional Mermaids of Rush racing in their home waters. Back in 1977, Rush SC was making an early impact on the GP 14s and Dun Laoghaire Frostbites, and now the club is a performance leader in both inshore and offshore racing.
SAILING POWERHOUSE
So it goes on. Today more than ever, Dun Laoghaire is a sailing powerhouse and rightly proud of its harbour adjusting to the needs of the contemporary world, while retaining much of its essential character, and the unique nature of the community of which it is part.
As to the bigger picture, while Rush SC was already known as a Mermaid-sailing centre, the emergence of a significant GP14 from North Fingal was a new development stage. But it gave only a hint of the remarkable position that the top sailors of Rush SC hold today, with their wins in boats of all sizes both inshore and offshore.
