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: trial

22nd February 2014

Ireland Rowers O'Donovan, McCrohan and Puspure Excel in Trial

#ROWING: On a day with a spread of excellent performances, Paul O’Donovan, Siobhán McCrohan and Sanita Puspure topped the rankings in their classes at the Ireland trial on Newry Canal. O’Donovan, a 19-year-old lightweight sculler, was the fastest man on the day. He clocked 19 minutes 5.46 seconds for the five kilometres, which made him the fourth fastest crew, only bettered by three heavyweight pairs.

McCrohan’s return was also remarkable. The Galway lightweight, who was cut by the previous Ireland coaching regime, shaded O’Donovan in terms of per centage of projected world gold medal time, with a superb 87.43 per cent. Puspure, a heavyweight sculler who had a 2013 to forget because of injury, also excelled, with 86.99 per cent despite a brush with a tree and hitting a buoy in the headwind conditions.

Both men’s and women’s lightweight classes could boast a depth in good performances: Catríona Jennings, a former Olympian marathon runner who is new to rowing, reaced 86.26 of projected world best time as a lightweight sculler. Heavyweight sculler Monika Dukarska also performed well in finishing second to Puspure.

Ireland Trial, Newry, Saturday (Run over 5km; Selected Results)

(Percentage is of projected world gold medal winning time)

Men

Pair – Senior: 1 D Neale, C Folan 18 minutes 41.53 seconds (82.03), 2 D Power, P O’Connell 18:53.62 (81.6). Under-23: 1 R O’Callaghan, R Bennett 18:29.53 (82.92), 2 M Pukelis, K Neville 19:23.43 (79.08). Junior: D Keohane, B Keohane 19:06.58 (80.24), 2 Murphy, O’Connell 19:26.23 (78.89), 3 Fallon, Bennett 19:32.47 (78.47).

Lightweight: 1 Quinlan, O’Connor 19:27.59 (81.36), 2 McKenna, Murphy 19:30.72 (81.15), 3 Keane, Breen 19:32.55 (81.02).

Sculling,

Single – Senior: 1 J Keohane 19:16.47 (84.31), 2 A McEvoy 19:37.34 (82.81). Under-23: 1 T Oliver 19.47.82 (82.08), 2 A Harrington 19:52.47 (81.76), 3 S McKeown 20:06.03 (80.84). Junior: 1 D O’Malley 19:41.55 (82.5), 2 C Carmody 19:57.29 (81.43), 3 C Hennessy 20:15.6 (80.21).

Lightweight – Senior: 1 N Kenny 19:18.40 (86.33), 2 J Ryan 19:28.13 (85.61), 3 M O’Donovan 19:30.07 (85.46). Under-23: P O’Donovan 19:05.46 (87.3), 2 S O’Driscoll 19:26.18 (85.75), 3 C Beck 19:41.35 (84.65).

Women

Four – Senior: Deasy, McCarthy, O’Brien, Leahy 19:51.76 (84.33).

Pair – Senior: L Dileen, A Keogh 20:12.32 (84.14), 2 Bennett, Gilligan 21:28.79 (79.14). Under-23: G Collins, O Finnegan 21.05.13 (80.62). Junior: 1 K O’Connor, H Hickey 21:43.08 (78.28), 2 Clarke, Glover 21:54.75 (77.58), 3 Nagle, O’Keeffe 22:33.06 (75.38).

Sculling

Single – Senior: 1 S Puspure 20:21.36 (86.99), 2 M Dukarska 2:40.57 (85.65), 3 E Moran 21:20.92. Under-23: 1 C Fitzgerald 21.50.12 (81.10), 2 H O’Sullivan 22:14.21 (79.64), 3 M Dineen 22:27.69 (78.84). Junior: 1 E Lambe 21:47.62 (81.25), 2 J English 21:54.17 (80.85), 3 E Barry 22:03.17 (80.30).

Lightweight – Senior: 1 S McCrohan 20:58.15 (87.43), 2 C Jennings 21:15.24 (86.26), 3 O Hayes 21:18.60 (86.03). Under-23: 1 R Morris 21:32.68 (85.09), 2 S Horgan 21:47.18 (84.15).

Published in Rowing

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29th September 2013

Denise Walsh Impresses At Ireland Rowing Trial

#RowingIrelandTrial: A well-attended Ireland identification trial at the National Rowing Centre in Cork highlighted the talent of some of the younger athletes available for selection in the coming season. Paul O’Donovan was the fastest single sculler on both days, while Denise Walsh, who is also under 23, won the lightweight A Final on Saturday and was second to Leonora Kennedy, a heavyweight, when the grades were mixed today. Monika Dukarska was the fastest women’s sculler on Saturday.

First Ireland Trial, National Rowing Centre, Cork (Selected Results)

Saturday – Finals (2,000m; Percentage of Projected Gold Medal Time at World Championships)

Seniors - Men

Pair – A Final: 1 A McEvoy, F Manning 7:55.07 (78.30), 2 M Pukelis, R O’Callaghan 8:12.11 (75.59), 3 C Cunningham, K Coughlan 8:31.13 (72.78)

Single Sculls – A Final: 1 S O’Connor 8:37.36 (75.77), 2 A Bolger 8:46.18 (74.50), 3 G McKillen 8:52.71 (73.59), 4 A Sheehan 9:05.38 (71.88). B Final: S McKeown 9:09.60 (71.32).

Lightweight Single Sculls – A Final: P O’Donovan 8:16.86 (80.51), 2 J Ryan 8:23.01 (79.52), 3 G O’Donovan 8:22.24 (79.64), 4 N Kenny 8:20.31 (79.95), 5 A Prendergast 8:47.17 (75.88). B Final: A Burns 8:30.99 (78.28).

Women

Pair – A Final: 1 A Keogh, L Dilleen 8:55.97 (76.50), 2 O Finnegan, G Collins 9:14.16 (73.99), 3 S Dinneen, C Fitzgerald 9:18.73 (73.38), 4 H McCarthy, H O’Sullivan 9:28.04 (72.18), 5 C Scannell, D Callanan 9:46.59 (69.90).

Single Sculls – A Final: 1 M Dukarska 9:14.66 (76.62), 2 L Kennedy 9:15.74 (76.47), 3 E Moran 9:21.33 (75.71), 4 H Walshe 9:22.01 (75.62), 5 M O’Neill 7:52.52 (71.73). B Final: K McCarthy 7:56.58 (71.24).

Lightweight Single Sculls – A Final: 1 D Walsh 9:23.11 (78.14), 2 S Jennings 7:34.83 (76.54), 3 O Hayes 9:39.01 (75.99), 4 Sarah Dolan 7:46.93 (74.97), 5 Sinead Dolan 10.01.42 (73.16). B Final: S Hogan 9:50.61 (74.50).

Juniors – Men

Pairs/Doubles – A Final: D Keohane, B Keohane 8:13.97, 2 G McNamara, G O’Dwyer 8:28.73, 3 C Killeen, T Dillon 8:35.41.

Single Sculls – A Final: 1 D O’Malley 8:58.95, 2 C Hennessy 9:07.76, 3 D Begley 9:10.26.

Women

Pair/Double/Four – A Final: C O’Flynn, S Creed, C Joyce Hearne, R Deasy 8:49.30, 2 H Hickey, K O’Connor 10.06.53, 3 E McCarthy, N Casey 10.12.77.

Single Sculls – A Final: 1 C Beechinor 10.16.51, 2 N Klimek 10.17.75, 3 E Hegarty 10:20.47. B Final: K Turner 10.16.91. C Final: 10:15.21.

Sunday

(Open, Lightweight and Junior)

Men

Pair/Double: 1 A McEvoy, F Manning 7:54.19 (78.45), 2 M McGill, G McKillen (double) 7:54.42, 3 M Pukelis, R O’Callaghan 8:05.22 (76.67).

Single – A Final: 1 P O’Donovan (u23 lwt) 8:18.43 (78.65), 2 G O’Donovan 8:19.51 (78.48), 3 N Kenny (lwt) 8:24.89 (77.64), 4 J Ryan (lwt) 8:29.46 (75.94), 5 D O’Malley (jun) 8:31.77 (76.60). B Final: S McKeown (u23) 8:28.20 (77.13).

Women

Pair – A Final: 1 A Keogh, L Dilleen (u23) 8:44.44 (78.18), 2 M O’Neill, F Judge (sen) 9:01.98 (75.65), 3 O Finnegan, G Collins (u23) 9:04.63 (75.28).

Single – A Final: 1 L Kennedy (sen) 9:13.93 (76.72), 2 D Walsh (lightweight, under-23) 9:17.21 (76.27), 3 S Jennings (lwt) 9:18.64 (76.08).

Published in Rowing

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21st July 2013

Costa Concordia Officers Sentenced In Plea Bargain

#CostaConcordia - The Irish Times reports that five officers from the ill-fated Costa Concordia have received jail sentences as part of their plea bargains with the court.

Each received a sentence ranging from 18 months to two years and 10 months - but as all sentences under two years in Italy are suspended, none are likely to be imprisoned.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the cruise liner's captain Francesco Schettino is awaiting a decision on his legal team's second plea offer to avoid a lengthy and complicated trial over the shipwreck tragedy, in which 32 people lost their lives.

Schettino, like the others, is charged with multiple counts of manslaughter, and is also accused of causing the loss of his ship - which ran aground in shallow waters off the western Italian coast on 13 January 2012.

Published in Cruise Liners

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19th July 2013

Costa Concordia Captain Offers Plea Deal

#CruiseLiners - Lawyers for the captain of the cruise liner that capsized off the west coast of Italy early last year have requested a plea deal in the trial over his role in the disaster.

According to RTÉ News, Francesco Schettino faces charges of manslaughter and causing the loss of his ship after the Costa Concordia ran around in shallow waters off Isola del Giglio on the night of 13 January 2012.

Some 32 people died in the ensuing disaster, and more than 4,000 passengers and crew - including an Irish couple - were hurriedly evacuated from the vessel.

A lawyer for Schettino, whose trial began on 9 July, told the press that he would offer to plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of three years and five months - following the rejection of a previous offer of three years and four months.

His legal team argue that he was not solely to blame for the disaster, and point to plea deals made by five others officials with liner operator Costa Cruises, which also agreed to pay a €1 million fine to settle criminal charges.

However, the prosecution has blasted Schettino's plea bargain proposal as "absolutely inadequate".

The crew of the Costa Concordia was last year presented with the prestigious Lloyd's Lost Seafarer of the Year award for their "courage and professionalism" in response to the disaster.

Published in Cruise Liners

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19th June 2013

Surfing Instructor Acquitted Over Tourist's Death On Kerry Beach

#News - IrishCentral reports that a surfing instructor has been cleared over the death of an American tourist on a beach in Co Kerry two years ago.

Rowan Minjon of Castlegregory had pleaded not guilty to the charge of dangerous driving over the death of Kentucky woman Jenna Hill, who was struck by a reversing truck on Inch Beach in Ardroe on the morning of 2 July 2011 and suffered severe head injuries.

The trial at Tralee Circuit Court heard that the truck driven by Minjon - employed by the Offshore Surf School at the time - had no working horn nor reverse lights.

But Garda vehicle inspector Jim O'Brien said Minjon had not been aware of Hill's presence on the beach, and claimed that she should have noticed the "big bright noisy and near" truck as it approached.

IrishCentral has more on the story HERE.

Published in News Update

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8th February 2013

Espersen Takes Charge of First Rowing Trial as Ireland High Performance Director

# ROWING: One hundred and twenty rowers are listed to compete at the Rowing Ireland Assessment in Newry tomorrow and Sunday. The ergometer test will be on Saturday and the on-the-water time trial is set for 11 o’clock on Newry Canal on Sunday.

This will be the first assessment since Morten Espersen has taken over as High Performance Director.

Rowing Ireland 2000m Ergo Assessment
Newry, February 9th 2013
HP Team
07/02/2013
Row Labels Testing Time Ergo Number
Athlone BC
munnelly, patrick 13:20 6
Athlunkard BC
Gallagher, Ewan 13:20 7
McNamara, Ger 13:20 8
Bann RC
Barry, Erin 12:00 2
Wray, Matthew 13:20 1
Belfast BC
Boreham, Adam 13:20 2
English, Jasmin 12:00 3
Jacques, Bridget 12:00 4
Mitchell, Johnathan 13:20 3
Taggart, Emily 12:00 9
Turner, Kirsty 12:00 1
CAIBC
McCullough, Philip 13:20 5
Castleconnell Boat Club
O'Connor, Eoghan 11:20 8
Whittle, Eoghan 11:20 9
CIT RC
O'Donovan, Gary 12:40 9
O'Driscoll, Shane 12:20 11
Clonmel RC
Chadfield, Alex 13:20 10
Channon, Stewart
Lonergan, Sean 13:20 11
Prendergast, Alan 13:20 9
Colaiste Chiarain RC
Hogan, Kevin 11:20 11
Colaiste Iognaid RC
McGlacken, Kai
Walls-Tuite, Eoghan
Commercial RC
Dolan, Sarah 13:00 4
Lambe, Eimear 13:00 10
Rodger, aisling 13:00 9
yeomans, william 11:20 12
Cork BC
Beechinor, Claire 12:40 1
Hamel, Leonie 12:40 3
Kilbane, Laura 12:40 4
McCarthy, Neil 11:00 2
McClaughlin, Megan 12:40 2
Murphy, Stephen 11:00 3
Murray, Charlie 11:00 1
DUBC
Flaherty, Paul
DULBC
Dolan, Sinead 13:00 5
O'Brien, Sally 13:00 6
Fermoy RC
Blackburne, Megan 12:00 11
Shinnick, Hilary 12:00 10
Galway RC
Murtagh, Fiona 12:40 6
Garda RC
Laffey, Christopher 12:40 5
Killorglin RC
Dukarska, Monika 12:00 7
Hyde, Zoe 12:00 12
Lagan Scullers Club
Hethertington, Thomas
Lee RC
Breen, Mark 11:00 8
Buckley, Daniel 11:00 5
Keogh, Sam 11:00 6
Mitchel, John 11:00 4
O Sullivan, Rory 11:00 7
Stone, Evan 11:00 9
Molesey BC
Keenan, Colm 12:20 7
Muckross RC
O'Connor, Kara 13:00 11
Neptune RC
Fogarty, Eoghan 11:40 9
Horan, Conor 11:40 8
Mulvaney, Shane 11:40 10
NUIGBC
Keogh, Aifric
Mullarkey, Edward 12:20 2
O'Connor, Sean 12:20 1
Old Collegians BC
Puspure, Sanita 12:00 8
Portadown BC
McKeown, Sam 11:40 12
Portora BC
Anderson, Karl 13:40 1
Beacom, Alice 13:40 5
Clarke, Elizabeth 13:40 3
Finlayson, Chloe 13:40 4
Mulligan, Phoebe 13:40 6
Murry, Ewan 13:40 2
Presentation College RC
Cregan, Thomas 14:00 6
Keohane, Brian 14:00 4
Keohane, David 14:00 5
Keohane, Kevin 14:00 3
QULBC
Leahy, Aoife
RBAIRC
McKillen, Gareth 13:20 4
Robinson, Ben 11:40 11
Shandon B.C.
Callanan, Daisy 11:40 6
Carroll, Luke 11:40 4
Casey, Jack 11:40 2
Harrington, Andy 11:40 1
Hennessy, Colm 11:40 5
O'Sullivan, Clodagh 11:40 3
Scannell, Clodagh 11:40 7
Shannon RC
Blackwell, James 14:00 2
Carmody, Conor 14:00 1
Coll, Erin 13:00 3
Gilligan, Ruth 13:00 1
McHugh, Lauren 13:00 2
Skibbereen RC
Burns, Aodhan 12:40 7
Dineen, Shelly
Hegarty, Paddy 12:40 8
Ryan, Justin 12:20 8
Ryan, Matthew 12:40 10
Walsh, Bernadette 12:40 12
Walsh, Denise 12:40 11
St Michaels RC
Clavin, Sheila
Despard, Evan 12:20 4
McCarthy, Hannah 13:00 7
Murphy, Sarah 13:00 8
O Malley, David 12:20 5
O'Brien, Kate
St.Josephs RC
Egan, James 11:20 2
Fallon, Kevin 11:20 5
Finnerty, Colin 11:20 6
Kinneen, Aidan 11:20 1
Mcquillan-Tolan, Fionnan 11:20 7
Silke, Jack 11:20 3
smyth, jack 11:20 4
Tribesmen RC
McCrohan, Siobhan
UCCRC
Kenny, Niall 12:20 9
UCDBC
Bell, Andrew 12:20 12
Bennett, Siofra
Collins, Grace
Finnegan, Orla
Lambe, Claire 12:00 6
Neale, David 12:20 6
Ni Reachtagain, Claire
O'Donovan, Paul 12:20 10
ULRC
Penny, Stephen 11:20 10
University of Surrey
O'Reilly, Nathan 12:20 3
Waterford BC
GOFF, Andrew 11:00 10
O'HANLON, Mike 11:00 11
(blank)
Bulman, Amy 12:00 5

Published in Rowing

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17th April 2012

Trial Dredging to Help Rid Barrow of Invasive Asian Clam

#INLAND WATERWAYS - Trial dredging operations to curtail the spread of Asian clams at designated sites in the lower River Barrow are set to conclude today.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) employed the use of a a traditional cockle harvesting boat to physically remove the clams from the river bed, in an effort to explore methods of controlling or eradicating what it describes as an "ecosystem-changing invader" in other infested waters.

IFI scientists supervised the trials, using teams of divers to quantify the result of the dredging efforts.

The Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) is "a most unwelcome addition to the fauna of the lower River Barrow". The bivalve mollusc is regarded as "one of the most notorious aquatic invasive species in the world".

First recorded in the river downstream of St Mullin’s in April 2010, subsequent IFI studies have revealed that the Asian clam is firmly established in the lower Barrow and in the River Nore downstream of Inistioge. Populations have also been recorded in the River Shannon and in Lough Derg.

In one section of the River Barrow the clam has achieved a "staggering" density of almost 10,000 per square metre.

Dr Joe Caffrey, senior scientist with IFI, said of the trial dregding: “It is imperative that every effort is made to control the expansion and spread of this highly adept invasive species.

"The results from these trials will inform future national management plans for this most unwelcome non-native species and will, at the very least, dramatically reduce the numbers of individuals in the test sites.

He added: "In tandem with these trials, research effort is being focused at producing other control methods that can be targeted as this species.”

Published in Inland Waterways

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7th February 2012

Loop Head Lighthouse Will Open To Public in 2012

#LIGHTHOUSES - Loop Head Lighthouse in Co Clare, is set to re-open to the public later this year following a successful trial scheme last summer.

As The Irish Times reports, Clare County Council opened the lighthouse for an 11-week trial period last July with the support of the Commissioners of Irish Lights, Shannon Development and Loop Head Tourism.

Some 17,000 people took up the invitation to visit the 23-metre beacon, which is still in use as a navigational aid, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The consortium is now looking for consultants to help expand tourism the facility with an exhibition and interpretation plan.

Published in Lighthouses

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24th May 2011

Irish Olympic Sailing Trials Commence in Holland

Irish sailing's bid for Olympic glory in London next year kicks off today when rival helmsmen Max Treacy and Peter O'Leary square up for the right to represent Ireland next July at the Olympic Regatta in Weymouth.

The Irish Star keelboat Olympic trials gets underway today on the waters off Medemblik, Holland as part of the massive ISAF Delta Lloyd regatta.

O'Leary with new crew (and triple Olympian) David Burrows will go head to head with Treacy and Anthony Shanks in a 23-boat fleet that has attracted all the top teams, a mirror of next year's Olympic regatta itself.

Also competing in Holland is Laser Radial sailor Annalise Murphy and the two 49er crews.

The new procedures set out for Olympic qualification were announced by the Irish Sailing Association in January.

The fifth of seven ISAF Sailing World Cup Regattas runs in Medemblik until 29 May.

The 2010-2011 ISAF Sailing World Cup has seen some of the world's best fleet racing sailors, match racing sailors and paralympic sailors compete as they prepare for the 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition which will be held in Weymouth, England.

And the Star class is no exception featuring another field full of Olympic medallists and world champions. World #1 and current ISAF Sailing World Cup Star Standings leaders Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada (BRA) will be looking to hit the sort of form that has seen them pick up the gold medal at US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR and the Semaine Olympique Française.

The pair, who won silver at the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition, will face stiff competition in Medemblik from compatriots and 2004 Olympic gold medallists Torben Grael and Marcelo Ferreira. Grael and Ferreira are currently #10 in the world and find themselves ninth in the Star Standings. Also set to attend is 2008 Olympic gold medallists and Trofeo S.A.R. Princess Sofia MAPFRE winners Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson (GBR) and last years Delta Lloyd Regatta winners and 2009-2010 ISAF Sailing World Cup Star Champions Eivind Melleby and Petter Morland Pedersen.

Ed Wright (GBR) has finished at the top of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Finn Standings for two years in a row. But this year he looks like relinquishing his crown with Ben Ainslie (GBR) currently leading the 2010-2011 Standings on 60 points after three regatta victories compared to Wright's 46 points with a best place finish of second at Sail Melbourne.

Wright will have a chance to close the gap on Ainslie in Medemblik as the multiple Olympic gold medallist will not be attending. Nonetheless Wright will have his work cut out with World #1 Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO), World #10 Dan Slater (NZL) and the Netherland's own Pieter-Jan Postma all registered to sail in the 74 boat fleet in Medemblik.

In the Men's RS:X Dorian Van Rijsselberge (NED) has sailed at the Rolex Miami OCR and at the Trofeo S.A.R. Princess Sofia MAPFRE and convincingly won both regattas. But after missing out the Semaine Olympique Française he lost his spot at the top of the Men's RS:X Standings to Shahar Zubari (ISR) who has a three point lead having finished in the top ten in Miami, Palma and Hyères.

But of the top ten in the Men's RS:X Standings only Van Rijsselberge, Ricardo Santos (BRA) in seventh and Aichen Wang (CHN) in tenth will sail so all will have a chance to climb up the overall Standings.

In the Women's RS:X there are 42 sailors registered to compete with Australia's three time Olympian Jessica Crisp the highest placed sailor in the Standings set to attend. Crisp is eleventh just two points ahead of Patricia Freitas in twelfth and Flavia Tartaglini (ITA), the bronze medallist in Medemblik in 2009 at 13. All three will be set to take their opportunity to claim a medal and move up the Standings.

The top five teams on the 49er Standings are not set to compete in Medemblik but this is still a high class field. The fleet includes World #5 Steve Morrison and Ben Rhodes (GBR), World #10 Emil Toft Nielsen and Simon Toft Nielsen (DEN) and World #9 Nathan Outteridge, direct from the Zhik SB3 Worlds, and Iain Jensen (AUS).

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6th January 2011

Trials Announced for London Olympic Selection

Trials at Holland regatta and at Weymouth this year will be the focus for Olympic campaigners this season. The new procedures released by the Irish Sailing Assocaition are set out in the attachments below and

2011 is going to be a critical year for Ireland's Olympic Campaigners. First there is the matter of winning the nomination to be put forward to the OCI and secondly there is the task of qualifying the nation for the Olympics.

The nomination trials are to be held in Europe while the main Olympic nation qualifier is in Perth, Australia in December 2011.

Irish Sailing Association - Nomination Procedures for the 2011 Olympic Test Event

1. Preamble
1.1 This document sets out the procedures that will be used by the Olympic Steering Group ("OSG") of the Irish Sailing Association ("ISA") to recommend Candidates to the Board of the ISA ("the Board") for selection for the 2011 Olympic Test Event ("the Test Event").
2. Definitions
"Candidate" shall mean, in the case of a single handed boat, the helm or, in the case of a double or triple handed boat, each of the helm and crew, who are seeking nomination for a place on the Irish team for the Games.
"Event" shall mean a sailing event to be held at the Games.
"Recommendation" shall mean the recommendation by the OSG to the Board of the Candidate in each Event for selection of Candidates for the Test Event
"Trial Regatta" shall mean each of the two separate regattas for each Event, as more specifically described in section 5 below, from which the OSG shall make its Recommendation to the Board in accordance with these procedures.
"Trials Series" shall mean, collectively, the Trial Regattas.
3. Procedures
3.1 The Recommendations made by the OSG shall be based solely on the results of the Trials Series as described in section 5 below.
3.2 The Board shall not be obliged to accept the OSG's Recommendation.
4. Eligibility and Notification
4.1 Each Candidate must be eligible to compete for Ireland.
4.2 Each Candidate shall, where possible, notify the Performance Director of the ISA, in writing, of their intention to participate in the Trials Series before competing but, in any event, shall so notify in all cases not later than 48 hours of competing in a Trial Regatta.
4.3 Such notification shall constitute an acknowledgment by each Candidate that they accept the procedures set forth in this document.
4.4 Substitution of helms will not be permitted in any circumstances. Substitution of crews shall be permitted.

4.5 Should a helm and crew cease their joint participation in the Trials Series, points already accrued in the Trials Series shall accrue to the helm only.

5. Trials Series

5.1 The Trials Series for each Event shall comprise a maximum of two Trial Regattas. The Trial Regattas shall be Holland Regatta 2011 and Sail for Gold Regatta 2011.

5.2 Entry for Trial Regattas shall be the responsibility of each Candidate.

5.3 In the event that one of the Trial Regattas for any Event does not take place, or that no results are declared from a Trial Regatta by its organisers, then the OSG's Recommendation shall be based on the scores of the Trial Regatta actually held.

6. Scoring

6.1 Points shall be awarded to the Candidate helm in each Trial Regatta exactly corresponding to that Candidate's final overall placing in that Trial Regatta as shown on the official final results sheet published by the regatta organisers. For example, an overall first place shall score one point, a second place shall score two points and so on.

6.2 In the event that a Candidate does not compete in a Trial Regatta, then that Candidate shall score points for that Trial Regatta equal to the overall placing given to the last entry on the official final results sheet published by the regatta organizers plus one point.

6.3 Scores for the Trials Series for each Event shall include the points from each Trial Regatta.
6.4 If there is a tied score between two or more Candidates in any Trials Series, each Candidate's Trial Regatta scores shall be listed in order of best (lowest) to worst (highest) and at the first point where there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favour of the Candidate with the best score. If a tie still remains between two or more Candidates, the Candidate with the best final overall placing in the last Trial Regatta shall be recommended.
6.5 Subject to 6.4 above, the Candidate with the lowest number of points at the conclusion of the Trials Series shall be recommended by the OSG to the Board.
7. Amendments and Appeals
7.1 No amendment to these procedures shall be made in respect of any Event without the prior written consent of each Candidate for that Event
7.2 Any appeal in relation to these procedures, or a recommendation under these procedures, shall be to the ISA Tribunal.

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