Foynes Prepares for Gold Leaf Trophy

15th May 2011

Next weekend members of Foynes Yacht Club will be racing to the most westerly port in Europe at Fenit, Co. Kerry for the annual Gold Leaf sailing trophy.

The current holder of this trophy in the club is Brian O'Donnell, won last year on his yacht, Whyte Dolphin. Weather permitting it is expected that 10 yachts from Foynes Yacht Club will be competeing for line honours.

Members of Tralee Bay Sailing Club are due to sail to Cooleen Point on Friday to participate in the race. First gun will be a 9am start. On Sunday a cruise up the estuary is organised, where hopefully a spot of fishing will take place.

The first leg of the Estuary Bell race was cancelled last weekend due to the very strong winds, which were gusting 4 to 6.

The organisers, Cruiser Class Captain, Alan McEneff and Sailing Secretary, Liam Madden made the right decision in calling of the race for the safety of all competitors involved. It will be pencilled in the sailing calendar during the summer.

It is anticipated that a 'full house' sign will be the order of the day for Commodore's Day, on Sunday, May 29. Commodore Tom Murray, who has been at the 'helm' for the last few year's in the club is expecting a 'bumper' show of members, in what can only be described as the ultimate date in the calendar at Foynes Yacht Club.

Commodore's Day is open to all classes of craft, and racing will have a 2pm start. The blessing of the boats will take place at the marina after racing, and this task will be performed by Canon O'Keeffe and Fr. Noonan.

Published in Shannon Estuary

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Shannon Foynes Port Information

Shannon Foynes Port (SFPC) are investing in an unprecedented expansion at its general cargo terminal, Foynes, adding over two-thirds the size of its existing area. In the latest phase of a €64 million investment programme, SFPC is investing over €20 million in enabling works alone to convert 83 acres on the east side of the existing port into a landbank for marine-related industry, port-centric logistics and associated infrastructure. The project, which will be developed on a phased basis over the next five years, will require the biggest infrastructure works programme ever undertaken at the port, with the entire 83 acre landbank having to be raised by 4.4 metres. The programme will also require the provision of new internal roads and multiple bridge access as well as roundabout access.