Darryl Hughes is so completely identified with his classic 43ft 1937 Tyrrell-built ketch Maybird (whose superb restoration he project-managed himself) that, as Maybird shares her home port between Crosshaven in Cork and Poolbeg in Dublin, both places can claim this award-winner as one of their own. The Hughes/Maybird partnership had a vintage year in 2018, becoming the first gaff-rigged yacht – and the oldest - to complete the Volvo Round Ireland Race, for which they were both the winners of the Penmaen Plate for best exemplifying the Spirit of the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association, and the Arthur Hughes Trophy for the top boat in the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association.

In addition, Darryl comprehensively organised the fully-subscribed international symposium in the Royal Irish YC on Weather and Sailing in collaboration with the Irish Meteorology Society and the Royal Institute for Navigation.