What is the Naval Service?

The Naval Service is the Irish State's principal seagoing agency with "a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements". It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

Where is the Naval Service based?

The Naval Service is based in Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour, with headquarters in the Defence Forces headquarters in Dublin.

What does the Naval Service do?

The Naval Service provides the maritime component of the Irish State's defence capabilities and is the State's principal seagoing agency. It "protects Ireland's interests at and from the sea, including lines of communication, fisheries and offshore resources" within the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Naval Service operates jointly with the Army and Air Corps as part of the Irish defence forces.

When was the Naval Service formed?

The Naval Service was established in 1946, replacing the Marine and Coastwatching Service set up in 1939. It had replaced the Coastal and Marine Service, the State's first marine service after independence, which was disbanded after a year. Its only ship was the Muirchú, formerly the British armed steam yacht Helga, which had been used by the Royal Navy to shell Dublin during the 1916 Rising. In 1938, Britain handed over the three "treaty" ports of Cork harbour, Bere haven and Lough Swilly.

How many ships are in the Naval Service?

The Naval Service has nine ships - one Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV), three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), two Large Patrol Vessel (LPV) and two Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV). Each vessel is equipped with State of the art machinery, weapons, communications and navigation systems.

What are the Irish Navy ship's names?

The ships' names are prefaced with the title of Irish ship or "long Éireannach" (LE). The older ships bear Irish female names - LÉ Eithne, LÉ Orla, LÉ Ciara, LÉ Roisín, and LÉ Niamh. The newer ships, named after male Irish literary figures, are LÉ Samuel Beckett, LÉ James Joyce, LÉ William Butler Yeats and LÉ George Bernard Shaw.

Are Irish Naval Service ships armed?

Yes. The 76mm Oto Melara medium calibre naval armament is the most powerful weapon in the Naval Services arsenal. The 76mm is "capable of engaging naval targets at a range of up to 17km with a high level of precision, ensuring that the Naval Service can maintain a range advantage over all close-range naval armaments and man-portable weapon systems", according to the Defence Forces.

How is the fleet managed and maintained?

The Fleet Operational Readiness Standards and Training (FORST) unit is responsible for the coordination of the fleet needs. Ships are maintained at the Mechanical Engineering and Naval Dockyard Unit at Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour.

Who is the head of the Irish Naval Service?

The Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service (FOCNS) is Commodore Michael Malone. The head of the Defence Forces is a former Naval Service flag officer, now Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett – appointed in 2015 and the first Naval Service flag officer to hold this senior position. The Flag Officer oversees Naval Operations Command, which is tasked with the conduct of all operations afloat and ashore by the Naval Service including the operations of Naval Service ships. The Naval Operations Command is split into different sections, including Operations HQ and Intelligence and Fishery Section.

What is the Intelligence and Fishery Section of the Irish Naval Service?

The Intelligence and Fishery Section is responsible for Naval Intelligence, the Specialist Navigation centre, the Fishery Protection supervisory and information centre, and the Naval Computer Centre. The Naval Intelligence Cell is responsible for the collection, collation and dissemination of naval intelligence. The Navigation Cell is the naval centre for navigational expertise.

What is the Fishery Monitoring Centre?

The Fishery Monitoring Centre provides for fishery data collection, collation, analysis and dissemination to the Naval Service and client agencies, including the State's Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. The centre also supervises fishery efforts in the Irish EEZ and provides data for the enhanced effectiveness of fishery protection operations, as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The Naval Computer Centre provides information technology (IT) support service to the Naval Service ashore and afloat.

How are shore operations managed?

This headquarters includes specific responsibility for the Executive/Operations Branch duties. The Naval Service Operations Room is a coordination centre for all NS current Operations. The Naval Service Reserve Staff Officer is responsible for the supervision, regulation and training of the reserve. The Diving section is responsible for all aspects of Naval diving and the provision of a diving service to the Naval Service and client agencies. The Ops Security Section is responsible for the coordination of base security and the coordination of all shore-based security parties operating away from the Naval base. The Naval Base Comcen is responsible for the running of a communications service. Boat transport is under the control of Harbour Master Naval Base, who is responsible for the supervision of berthage at the Naval Base and the provision of a boat service, including the civilian manned ferry service from Haulbowline.

Does the Naval Service undertake overseas missions?

Naval Service ships have undertaken trade and supply missions abroad, and personnel have served as peacekeepers with the United Nations. In 2015, Naval Service ships were sent on rotation to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean as part of a bi-lateral arrangement with Italy, known as Operation Pontus. Naval Service and Army medical staff rescued some 18,000 migrants, either pulling people from the sea or taking them off small boats, which were often close to capsizing having been towed into open water and abandoned by smugglers. Irish ships then became deployed as part of EU operations in the Mediterranean, but this ended in March 2019 amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the EU.

How can I join the Irish Naval Service?

Essentially, you have to be Irish, young (less than 32), in good physical and mental health and with normal vision. You must be above 5'2″, and your weight should be in keeping with your age.

Are there women in the Naval Service?

Yes, women have been recruited since 1995. One of the first two female cadets, Roberta O'Brien from the Glen of Aherlow in Co Tipperary, became its first female commander in September 2020. Sub Lieutenant Tahlia Britton from Donegal also became the first female diver in the navy's history in the summer of 2020.

What is a Naval Service Officer cadet?

A naval cadet enlists for a cadetship to become an officer in the Defence Forces. After successfully completing training at the Naval Service College, a cadet is commissioned into the officer ranks of the Naval Service as a Ensign or Sub Lieutenant.

What training is involved in becoming a Naval Service officer cadet?

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign.

What qualifications are required to become a cadet?

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign. The Defence Forces say it is looking for people who have "the ability to plan, prioritise and organise", to "carefully analyse problems, in order to generate appropriate solutions, who have "clear, concise and effective communication skills", and the ability to "motivate others and work with a team". More information is on the 2020 Qualifications Information Leaflet.

When can I apply to become a Naval Service cadet?

When you are 18 years of age or over and under 26 years of age on the date mentioned in the notice for the current competition, the officer cadet competition is held annually and is the only way for potential candidates to join the Defence Forces to become a Naval Service officer. Candidates undergo psychometric and fitness testing, an interview and a medical exam.

Where is the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI)?

The NMCI was built beside the Naval Service base at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, and was the first third-level college in Ireland to be built under the Government's Public-Private Partnership scheme. The public partners are the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the private partner is Focus Education.

What is a Naval Service recruit?

A Naval Service recruit enlists for general service in the "Other Ranks" of the Defence Forces. After successfully completing the initial recruit training course, a recruit passes out as an Ordinary Seaman and will then go onto their branch training course before becoming qualified as an Able Body sailor in the Naval Service.

What qualifications are required to become a Naval Service recruit?

No formal education qualifications are required to join the Defence Forces as a recruit. You need to satisfy the interview board and the recruiting officer that you possess a sufficient standard of education for service in the Defence Forces.

What training is involved in becoming a Naval Service recruit?

Recruit training is 18 weeks in duration and is designed to "develop a physically fit, disciplined and motivated person using basic military and naval skills" to "prepare them for further training in the service. Recruits are instilled with the Naval Service ethos and the values of "courage, respect, integrity and loyalty".

What is a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) career training?

On the progression up through the various ranks, an Able Rate will have to complete a number of career courses to provide them with training to develop their skills in a number of areas, such as leadership and management, administration and naval/military skills. The first of these courses is the Naval Service Potential NCO course, followed by the Naval Service Standard NCO course and the Naval Service senior NCO course. This course qualifies successful candidates of Petty officer (or Senior Petty Officer) rank to fill the rank of Chief Petty Officer upwards. The successful candidate may also complete and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, Management and Naval Studies in partnership with Cork Institute of Technology.

What is pay like in the Naval Service?

Pay has long been an issue for just the Naval Service, at just over 1,000 personnel. Cadets and recruits are required to join the single public service pension scheme, which is a defined benefit scheme, based on career-average earnings. For current rates of pay, see the Department of Defence website

Displaying items by tag: National Yacht Club

13th September 2021

2.4mR Irish Champions are Crowned at the National Yacht Club

John Patrick (left) from Belfast Sailability was the winner of the 2.4mR National Championships held at the National Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire Harbour at the weekend.

A small fleet of five competitors (from a total fleet of eight boats in the country) raced for both Open and Para titles.

The National's Ed Totterdell was the Race Officer with four races sailed on Saturday and two on Sunday, all inside the harbour.

The open event was won by John Patrick from Belfast Sailability with Patrick Hassett in second and Oisin Putt in third place both from NYC.

The Para event was won by Patrick with Oisin second.

John Patrick (right) from Belfast Sailability was the winner of the Open Division of the 2.4mR Nationals held at Dun Laoghaire Harbour and receives his prize from National Yacht Club Commodore Conor O’Regan

Patrick Hassett (right) is congratulated by National Yacht Club Commodore Conor O’Regan for his overall win of the 2.4mR Nationals (Para division) at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

Published in National YC

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2nd September 2021

Who Will Be the 2021 ICRA Champions at the National Yacht Club? (Updated)

The National Yacht Club hosts the ICRA Nationals on Friday. 80 boats are entered. As in previous years, Afloat sticks its neck out to predict the top boats and winners in each division at Dun Laoghaire

In a typical year, you would have a big event such as Cork Week or Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta to gauge which boats are on form before predicting who will rise to the podium at a late-season ICRA Nationals. With VDLR cancelled in 2021, we will have to rely on events such as Sovereigns Cup, Calves Week, D2D, ISORA and DBSC to predict the likely winners.

Wind forecasting –this will play a big part this year. With only a day to go, the weather pattern indicates generally light to medium airs. Most wind models call light airs on Friday, a little more on Saturday, maybe around 10 knots. Sunday is generally light, though one wind model is showing 15 knots for the last day.

Class 0 will have only one race —a long coastal on Friday and one race Sunday with three short races on Saturday. All the other classes will have two races on Friday and Sunday and three on Saturday.

Clearly, with light wind predominating for the first two days, it must be expected that the winners will come from boats that do well in these conditions.

Class 0

An excellent turnout of 13 yachts is expected from Northern Ireland, Cork and Dublin.

As Afloat previously reported, from Northern Ireland comes Shaun Douglas's Beneteau 40.7, Gamechanger and Jay Colville's First 40, Forty Licks. These boats perform well and are well crewed but generally prefer medium conditions to let them use their waterline lengths. We are not sure they will get this breeze on Friday and Saturday.

Paul O'Higgins' JPK 10.80 Rockabill VI - likes the breeze Photo: Afloat

If the conditions are medium to fresh, you would have to include Paul O'Higgins' JPK 10.80 as one of the likely winners. However, as was seen at Calves Week this year, she struggles in light airs, and this weekend's forecast will not be to their liking. She will stay in the hunt, though.

Sovereigns Cup winner, the new Grand Soleil 44, Samatom, owned by Bob Rendell from Howth, showed great form in both light and windy conditions in Kinsale to take the series from some good entries. However, her talents at that event included Olympian Mark Mansfield, who for ICRA's will be aboard another Class 0 entry, Frank Whelan's Greystones debutante J/122 Kaya.

The three Sunfast 3600s, Yoyo, Hot Cookie and Searcher, will be competing, but the lighter airs will not be to their liking.

This leaves the two likely favourites in these conditions, Conor Phelan's Ker 37 Jump Juice from Royal Cork and Frank Whelan's J/122 Kaya. This could be an exciting battle with Mansfield calling the shots on Kaya and Maurice (Prof) O'Connell doing the same on Jump Juice. Should it stay light, there will be nothing in it.

If the breeze comes up a bit, Kaya will still be strong, so we will call for Kaya to take it from Jump, but not by much.

Class 1

With 26 entries, this will be the biggest class numerically. Nearly all from the Dublin area apart from the two well sailed J/109's From Cork (Brian Jones' Jelly Baby and Finbarr O'Regan's Artful Dodger) and the Ker 32, Hijacker from Strangford lough, owned by Stuart Cranston. Hijacker will be the top-rated boat in its class, but if form is anything to go by, her performance at a light airs Scottish Series in 2021 will not bode well for this event.

Form boat - J/99 Snapshot (Mike and Ritchie Evans) Photo: Bob Bateman

Class 1 will likely be dominated by the many J/109s competing plus the new J/99 Snapshot, owned by Richard and Michael Evans from Howth. Snapshot won a competitive Sovereigns Cup Class 1 and is competitive in light and medium conditions. She will have Shane Hughes aboard, so expect her to make the podium.

The conditions will favour the J 109's, and there are 14 entered. Trying to pick who will emerge will be difficult. In 2021, Finbarr O'Regan's Artful Dodger took the runner up spot at the Sovereign's Cup, but that is after John Murphy and Richard Colwell's Outrageous had two OCS results. Outrageous, if she stays clean, will be in the mix. From Dublin Bay, you have the trio of John Maybury's Joker 2 (a four times ICRA winner), Tim Goodbody's White Mischief and Brian and John Hall's Something Else. All three regularly perform well. From Howth, Outrageous (tactician Aoife Hopkins) will be joined by Pat Kelly's Storm (tactician Robert O'Leary), who favours a breeze typically, but will nevertheless be there or thereabouts. Depending on what talent these J109's have onboard will determine who will likely come to the top.

We will go for Outrajeous and Snapshot, taking the top two slots, with Snapshot taking it by a hair.

Class 2

14 entries in this class will undoubtedly be dominated by the Half Tonners who excel in lighter airs. If there is a breeze for the three days, you could see Anthony Gore Grimes Dux come into the picture, but it does not look like this breeze will be present. Likewise, the J 97's Lambay Rules and Windjammer.

Not to be ruled out - David Kelly's Half Tonner King One Photo: Bob Bateman

The battle of the Half Tonners will be intriguing. The three form Half tonners will unfortunately not include David Cullen's Checkmate XV. Instead Cullen will sail with Nigel Biggs on Checkmate XVIII. Darran Wright's Mata will include Howth's Ross McDonald and Olympian Killian Collins, who will no doubt make a difference. The form would say that Nigel Biggs always performs well on the big stage. We will call for Nigel Biggs Checkmate XVIII to take it from Mata and Jonny Swann sailing David Kelly's King One instead of his regular Harmony coming in third.

Class 3

Paul Coulton's Cri Cri Photo: Afloat

Like Class 2, In lighter airs, the Quarter Tonners will like to rule the roost here. Paul Coulton's Cri Cri and Barry Cunningham and Jonathan Skeritt's Quest, both from the Royal Irish, will likely be the front runners. Of these two, Quest has the better record in the past and loves the light air. Northern Ireland's Snoopy is still something of an unknown quantity here.

Were there to be breeze develop expect the J 24's to come into the picture, and of these, the wily Flor O'Driscoll could be one to watch.

Quest to win from Cri Cri and then a J24, possibly Flor.

Download the full entry list for the ICRA Championships here and download the Sailing Instructions below

This article was updated at 2 pm on Sept 2 to include additional crew and entry details

Published in ICRA

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31st August 2021

80 Boat ICRA Nationals Fleet Prepares to Race at the National Yacht Club (Download Class Divisions Here!)

The Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) National Championships returns to Dublin Bay this weekend (September 3-5th) and brings one of the biggest Division Zero fleets the cruiser-racer body has ever seen.

An expected fleet of 13 Zeros is bigger than the fleet of ten that raced in the 2019 Championships at the Royal St. George Yacht Club.

The National Yacht Club will host the championships, the biggest test for Irish cruiser-racers since West Cork's Sovereign's Cup at Kinsale in June and Calves Week in August.

In all, a total fleet of almost 80 boats has been mustered, and that's a welcome boost for the championships that was cancelled twice last year in the pandemic.

Class divisions are downloadable below (as an excel file) for the weekend championships as another strong fleet of Division One yachts is unveiled by ICRA, with 25 or so entries anticipated.

National titles

The arrival of the championships mean national titles in four IRC classes plus a white sails event will be decided on the Bay by next Sunday.

A total of 17 clubs from Ireland's North, South and East coasts will be represented by 77 crews, a slight reduction in overall numbers (100 boats in 2019) attributed to the country's gradual reopening after Covid-19.

ICRA Nationals - A total of 17 clubs from Ireland's North, South and East coasts will be represented Photo: Afloat ICRA Nationals - 17 clubs from Ireland's North, South and East coasts will be represented. Photo: Afloat

“This year’s event is an opportunity for re-building crews and team bonding,” said Richard Colwell, Commodore of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association. "This year hasn't been without regular club racing, but the ICRA championships will be the biggest test of the year with so many clubs represented in the fleet."

The ICRA series will be hosted by the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire. The Covid restrictions mean that the championships will have to spread out a little, with a maximum of 200 to be accommodated in one location. After consultation with the other waterfront clubs, Royal St George and Royal Irish members will be hosted by their respective clubs. Visiting boats and their crews will be hosted at the National Yacht Club.

ICRA Courses

Many former national champions are participating across all classes. Two inshore fleets, with Class 1 in White Fleet and Class 2, 3 and non-spinnaker in Orange fleet, will race windward/leeward and round the cans. Class 0 will race a mixture of coastal and windward/leeward courses, starting from the same line as Class 1.

International Race Officers Jack Roy and Con Murphy are running racing afloat. At the same time, Ailbe Millerick and Bill O'Hara will lead ICRA's Protest Committee, who will, as in 2019, be on the water to witness racing.

Robert Rendell's Grand Soleil 44 Samatom will be racing in a bumper Class Zero Photo: Adam Winkelmann

After a great season with his previous boat Eleuthera, Frank Whelan's J122 Kaya from Greystones Sailing Club could well be the form boat in Division Zero, though with a slew of rivals in this hotly contested class. Conor Phelan's Ker 37 Jump Juice from the Royal Cork YC and Paul O'Higgins' JPK1080 Rockabill VI from the Royal Irish YC are certain to be in the mix with Robert Rendell's Grand Soleil 44 Samatom from Howth YC.

Conor Phelan's Ker 37 Jump Juice Photo: Bob Bateman

After overall victory in Kinsale for the Sovereign's Cup in June, Mike & Richard Evans' J99 Snapshot will again try to disrupt the J109 fleet's dominance of Division 1. However, Stuart Cranston's Ker 32 Hijacker from Strangford Lough could add a fresh challenge.

Mike & Richard Evans' J99 Snapshot Mike & Richard Evans' J/99 Snapshot Photo: Bob Bateman

Of the J109s, John and Brian Hall’s Something Else from the National YC will be looking for a result on home turf but can expect Howth's Colwell with John Murphy on Outrajeous to be on form as well as the Jones family's Jelly Baby from Crosshaven and the Goodbody's White Mischief from the Royal Irish YC.

John and Brian Hall’s Something Else from the National YC Photo: Bob Bateman

"We're all set and looking forward it - this is our first regatta in two years - we have a great crew, some of whom have sailed with me for 40 years," said Tim Goodbody (80). "Racing under IRC is great as we can sail with nine up so I can share the helm with Richard when I get tired."

The Royal Irish Yacht Club's John Maybury made it four in a row at the ICRA National Championships in 2019 in his Class One J109 yacht Joker II Photo: Afloat.

Nigel Biggs from Howth YC moves out of his new Flying Fifteen one design and back into Checkmate XVIII and will be the boat to beat in Division 2 after a near-perfect track record of wins in Dublin Bay in recent years. The Wright/De Nieve owned Mata, also from Howth, are likely challengers amongst the half-tonners.

Nigel Biggs'Half Tonner Checkmate XVIII Nigel Biggs' Half Tonner Checkmate XVIII Photo: Afloat

If the event gets breeze, clubmates Dux, an X302 sailed by the Gore-Grimes family, could repeat their 2019 event win though Lindsay Casey and Denis Powers' J97 Windjammer from the Royal St George YC is also tipped for the fresher conditions.

Anthony Gore-Grimes' Dux from Howth Yacht Club emerged overall winner of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) National Championships Photo: Afloat.

Bray Sailing Club’s Flor O’Driscoll will be taking on the might of the Royal Irish YC with his J24 Hard On Port facing the likes of Paul Colton’s Cri Cri and Barry Cunningham with Jonathan Skerritts' Quest, both revamped quarter-tonners.

"I've always enjoyed the ICRA's as the J24 is rated pretty well under IRC," O'Driscoll said while preparing for East coast championships in Howth. "We raced for the first time in two years in Foynes for the southerns but could have done better with a sixth place."

The Covid-19 pandemic forced the abandonment of much of the 2020 and early 2021 fixtures. Still, measures have been relaxed enough to permit safe competition afloat though shoreside social activities continue to be severely curtailed for this season.

Howth J109 Outrajeous (Richard Colwell and John Murphy) Photo: Bob Bateman

"Our main priority is to deliver a strong racing series afloat this year which will certain to be a warm-up for hopefully a full 2022 season," said Richard Colwell, Commodore of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association. "While social is more difficult in Covid restrictions, we have worked hard to make sure there will still be limited social activity spread across the Dun Laoghaire waterfront so everyone can enjoy the event as much as possible."

Racing begins this Friday at 1125hrs.

2021 ICRA National Championships Event Schedule

Thursday 6th June

2100hrs Skippers Briefing on Zoom (an invitation will be emailed in advance)

Friday 7th June

0830hrs Breakfast on the forecourt, Coffee & pastries in Club Room bar
1125hrs Racing
1600hrs BBQ on the forecourt
1800hrs Sailing Buffet in Dining Room

Saturday 8th June

0830hrs Breakfast on the forecourt, Coffee & pastries in Club Room bar
1125hrs Racing
1600hrs BBQ on the forecourt
1930hrs Regatta Dinner

Sunday 9th June

0830hrs Breakfast on the forecourt, Coffee & pastries in Club Room bar
1025hrs Racing
1500hrs BBQ on the forecourt
Approx. 1630hrs ICRA National Championships Prize Giving

Published in ICRA

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6th August 2021

National Yacht Club's Under 30s Make Waves at J/24s, Swan 50s & Fastnet Race

The National Yacht Club's under 30 membership is making waves on European waters over the coming weeks.

As Afloat reported earlier, over in Palma, Spain, NYC's Will Byrne is currently competing on the Club Swan 50 'Mathilde' at the 39th Copa del Rey. This event attracts some of the top sailors worldwide, and the team currently lies 10th overall after a strong start to the final series of races.

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour club's U25 Team are heading off to their first event this weekend to compete in the J/24 National Championships in Sligo Yacht Club. The skipper Mark O'Connor hopes for a good result against a strong fleet that includes U25 teams from rival clubs.

With an increased interest in offshore sailing among younger members, Oisin Cullen, Conor Totterdell, Conor Corson, and Saoirse Reynolds are all participating in the world-famous Fastnet Race.

This year's edition of the race concludes in Cherbourg for the first time, increasing the overall distance by 15% to 695nm. Oisin and Saoirse will be taking on the race for a second time on Simon Harris’s J/112e 'J’Ouvert' in IRC2. Conor Corson will be on the bow of the A13 'Phosphorus II' in IRC1, while Conor Totterdell is co-skippering Irish Offshore Sailing Schools Sunfast 37 'Desert Star'.

Published in National YC

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National Yacht Club

4th July 2021

Royal Ulster Beneteau 31.7 Victory for John Minnis & 'Final Call' Crew on Dublin Bay

Royal Ulster's 'man on a mission' John Minnis lived up to his pre-championship word and delivered a perfect scoreline to win the Beneteau 31.7 Irish National Championships 2021 at the National Yacht Club this afternoon with five straight wins.

The Gareth Flannigan helmed Northern Ireland entry was chased hard on Dublin Bay by the host club's Chris Johnston in Prospect.

The local crew counted four second places in the two-day championships.

Michael Blaney's After You Too from the Royal St. George Yacht club finished third overall.

Chris Johnston's Prospect was second overall

Spurred on by their winnings at the Scottish Series in May, when Final Call won Class 3 convincingly and lifted the Causeway Cup for the best performance by a boat-based outside Scotland.

15-20-knot winds proved to be testing championship conditions for the 10-boat fleet over the three day event.

Michael Blaney's After You Too from the Royal St. George Yacht club finished third overall.

The same south-easterly breeze continued on Sunday with a good chop in the south of the Bay where the Beneteau 31.7s shared a course with the Ruffians, also racing for national championship honours.

Results are here .

2021 Beneteau 31.7 National Championship Photo Gallery

Published in Beneteau 31.7

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4th July 2021

Ann Kirwan's Bandit Crew are Ruffian 23 National Championship Winners

Six wins from eight races was a conclusive result for Ann Kirwan and her Bandit crew to claim the 2021 Ruffian 23 National Championship title off Dun Laoghaire Harbour this afternoon.

As Afloat reported earlier, Kirwan lead going into the final two races and today the National Yacht Club crew expanded their overnight margin from four to six points over Royal St George rival Stephen Gill sailing Shannagh who finished as runners-up on 14 points.

Royal St. George Yacht Club winner Stephen Gill sailing Shannagh was runner up

Third in the ten boat fleet was Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club's Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe).

Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe) was third overall

15-20-knot winds proved to be testing championship conditions for the 10-boat fleet over the three day event.

The same south-easterly breeze continued on Sunday with a good chop in the south of the Bay where the Ruffians shared a course with the Beneteau 31.7s, also racing for national championship honours.

Results are here .

2021 Ruffian 23 National Championship Photo Gallery

Published in National YC

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National Yacht Club

2nd July 2021

Royal Ulster's Minnis on Dublin Bay Mission for Beneteau 31.7 Honours at National Yacht Club

The only competitor in the nine-strong fleet from the Northern waters and the only Beneteau 31.7 from outside Dun Laoghaire, John Minnis's Final Call, has made the long haul south for the National Championships at the National Yacht Club this weekend.

Spurred on by their winnings at the Scottish Series, when Final Call won Class 3 convincingly and lifted the Causeway Cup for the best performance by a boat-based outside Scotland (other than the Series winner), Minnis is a man with a mission.

With the same hotshot helm in Gareth Flannigan, he has high hopes,"We're there for the win" he says. Time will tell.

John Minnis from Royal Ulster has high hopes on Dublin Bay

Most of the crew is from Royal Ulster. On Trim are Jeff Flannigan and the Strangford Lough YC sailor, Michael Ennis who was in Shaun Douglas's Game Changer crew in the d2d race.

Tactician is Mickey (Chunky) Ferguson (who has MoD70 racing and the Transat Jacques Vabre under his belt), Mast - Richard Gunning, Foredeck -Tom Finlay and Michael Gunning on main. John himself is in the pit.

Published in National YC

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8th June 2021

Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race 2021 Tracker Here!

Scroll down for the LIVE 2021 D2D Yellowbrick race tracker

Track the progress of the 2021 Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race fleet below here on the live tracker when the race starts at 2 pm on Wednesday, June 9th from Dublin Bay.

Read the full 2021 race preview by WM Nixon here.

Read all the D2D Race News in one handy link here

WM Nixon will be posting regular race updates during the race

Published in Dun Laoghaire Dingle

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7th June 2021

National Yacht Club Under 30 Sailors on the Dun Laoghaire Dingle Race

It's no surprise that as hosts of this Wednesday's 2021 Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race, the National Yacht Club is also fielding the biggest number of boats from the participating 19 yacht clubs but what's perhaps less well known is the extent of involvement of the NYC's Under 30 section who occupy key roles on other boats in the fleet too and also in its biennial race management team.

Will Byrne (27): XP50 ‘Freya’ - Bow

As a previous IRC and Line Honours winner of the D2D with Rockabill in 2017, Will (pictured top) has a lot to prove after an unsuccessful 2019 campaign onboard XP44 WOW.

Will resumes bowman duties offshore on the Kinsale Yacht Club entry by taking a break from his usual role as boat captain and helm onboard Gringo in Dublin Bay.

Will's experience includes class wins in the Caribbean600, Fast40+ Class, IRC events across Europe as well as experience working with professional race teams around the world.

Gráinne Ryan

Gráinne Ryan (24): Race Committee

As a keen sailor who is a member of both the National Yacht Club and the Royal Dee Yacht Club Grainne is actively involved in the race management of ISORA. She also sat on the executive committee of the VDLR in the role of sustainability manager in 2019. In Dingle this year, Grainne is responsible for tracker management and compiling the results.

Saoirse Reynolds

Saoirse Reynolds (23) Benetau Figaro3 ‘Raw’

Following an injury forcing her to stop other sports back in 2015, Saoirse began keelboat racing and has since clocked up a few thousand miles offshore in ISORA, deliveries, sail training and races such as the Rolex Fastnet Race. Racing a broad variety of boats including the J97 “Windjammer” and 3600 “YOYO”, she is able to race any position in any conditions.

Saoirse regularly sails on Chris Power Smiths successful J122 “Aurelia” but will be getting her first taste of foiling on Conor Fogerty’s Beneteau Figaro 3 “Raw” for this year's edition of the race. Saoirse is a mentee of the Magenta Project, being mentored by short-handed sailor Deb Fish.

Nicole Hemeryck is sailing on the Grand Soleil 31, JustTina Photo: Afloat

Nicole Hemeryck (22) Grand Soleil 34 ‘JustTina’

Originally a dinghy sailor, Nicole has transitioned to large boats over the past few years, having accumulated hundreds of miles in racing and deliveries.

Following her first attempt at the D2D in 2019, Nicole is hoping to help the JustTina team to a successful D2D result this time around.

Mark O'Connor

Mark O’Connor (22) J122 ‘Aurelia’ - Bow

Mark will be working the Bow on Chris Power Smiths’ J122, Aurelia. This is Mark’s First D2D race, having sailed offshore for the previous 2 seasons including the Fastnet 450 race.

Mark's love of sailing began age 12 doing “Start sailing” in the National Yacht club, since then he has been sailing Toppers, Lasers, Fireflies and keelboats both home and abroad.

Oisin Cullen

Oisin Cullen (20) SunFast3600 ‘Hot Cookie’ - Bow/Trim

Oisin started sailing dinghies in Dun Laoghaire at 10 years old and at 14 had the opportunity to sail on the J109 Wakey Wakey which started Oisin’s long-standing competition in ISORA.

Oisin has accumulated thousands of miles offshore competing in some of the worlds premier races such as the Rolex Fastnet, D2D and Round Ireland Race along with a tall ships race from London to Sines, Portugal.

Oisin is also a keen inshore sailor having competed in regattas such as the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, Sovereigns week and Cowes Week. He also sails on J109 Jalapeño in DBSC.

Tom Shanahan, Gleb Romantchik and Kieran Hall

Tom Shanahan 22 - XP44 ‘WOW’ - Foredeck Team

Tom will be racing aboard George Sisk’s XP44 WOW for the first time. Tom has been a member of the National since he could walk and grew up sailing in the junior section. He started racing offshore at a young age and has previously competed in two D2Ds aboard the J109 “Ruth”.

Tom enjoys racing around the cans in Dublin Bay as well as sailing with his university team during the academic year.

He is looking forward to a competitive fleet with close racing all around the Irish coast, as well as getting back to Dingle!

Gleb Romantchik - XP44 ‘WOW’ - Foredeck Team

Gleb will be racing aboard George Sisk’s XP44 WOW this year. Gleb grew up sailing in Schull, West Cark under the watchful eye of David Harte.

This will be Gleb's first D2D of what will hopefully be many.

Kieran Hall - XP44 ‘WOW’ - Foredeck Team

Kieran is racing aboard his usual boat, WOW. A Dublin Bay sailor at heart with plenty of offshore miles under his belt, but this will be his first Dingle.

He is looking forward to the starting gun!

Published in Dun Laoghaire Dingle

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31st March 2021

National Yacht Club Celebrate 150th Annual Awards Held Online

Thanks to modern technology and the can-do spirit of National Yacht Club volunteers and staff, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour club held its Awards ceremony last Friday night.

Commodore Martin McCarthy told Afloat "We had a lot to reflect on and celebrate – it being our 150th year and Covid 19 year – a year where survival was winning. We thank every winner as they all joined in and shared their thoughts and insights with fellow members. It was inspiring".

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown’s first Citizen, Cathaoirleach Una Power joined the NYC for the online event. Among the items she addressed was the year ahead and she said: “I encourage you to keep the Junior Training going as best you can within the Regulations. Also, I know you have a strong Inclusion programme and I would urge you also to keep a focus on it this year. We hope the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta and other events can proceed during the summer and that all sectors can get on the water and lay the foundation stones for a fully normal season with international events in 2021. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners tonight – and also you, the members of the National Yacht Club, for your contribution to sailing and wellbeing of citizens and the Borough of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown”

Conor Gorman was the winner of The Winkelmann Trophy awarded to the Cadet Member who is deemed by his/ her sailing ability to be ‘Cadet of the Year’

The Awards process was run by Sailing Sec. Alan Balfe and his team and every club member were entitled to nominate fellow members, which led to the final selection of the winners:

The CONCORDE PLATE – presented for the best circumnavigation of Ireland - The 2020 Winner is PADDY BARRY.
The BOYNE REGATTA PLATE – presented for the best performance in Offshore Sailing - The 2020 Winner is: GRANT KINSMAN
The O’LEARY CUP - presented for the best performance in one design - The 2020 Winner is STEPHEN ORAM & NOEL BUTLER
The EDWARD YACHT CLUB TROPHY is awarded for the best performance in Dinghies, Mermaids or Flying Fifteens - The 2020 Winner is JOHN LAVERY & ALAN GREEN
The JOHN BYRNE MEMORIAL TROPHY - is awarded for the greatest contribution to sailing in the NYC during the year - The 2020 Winners are EDDIE TOTTERDELL, CON MURPHY & MAL NOWLAN
The WINKELMANN TROPHY – is awarded to the Cadet Member who is deemed by his/ her sailing ability to be ‘Cadet of the Year’ - The 2020 Winner is CONOR GORMAN
The GREYSTONES REGATTA CUP – is awarded to the NYC members who have, as a team, represented the Club with distinction - The 2020 winners are GRAINNE & PETER RYAN
The PAUL MURPHY CUP – is awarded to the Club’s Race Management Volunteer who contributed most to event management at the Club - The 2020 winner is FRANK BURGESS
The TOWNSHIP CUP - is awarded for the most impressive cruise - The 2020 winner is SEAN DOYLE
The MUGLINS CUP – is awarded for the most interesting family cruise - The 2020 winners are THE SHANAHAN FAMILY.
The MARTIN CROTTY CUP is awarded to the young member who shows outstanding sailing endeavour. The 2020 winner is: JEMIMA OWENS
The WILD GEESE TROPHY (2019) is awarded to the overseas member who achieves the best performance in racing and distinguishes himself/ herself in sailing - The 2020 winner is: TOM DOLAN
The SUE McDONNELL TROPHY is awarded to the person who has done most to advance the position of women in Sailing - The 2020 winner is: NICOLE HEMERYCK
The TOTTERDELL TROPHY is awarded to the person who has done the most to develop the Laser class in the Club - The 2020 winner is: ALISON PIGGOTT