An exotic weekend in Dun Laoghaire with the start of an Olympic class keelboat event plus the arrival of a Volvo 70 into the harbour but Irish weather meant all did not go to plan. Click our links for a round up of the weekend's sailing events from around the country: Mansfield Wins 1720 Euros in Baltimore, Squall Puts Paid to First Race of Star Europeans in Dun Laoghaire, West Kirby Teams Top ISAF Worlds in Schull, Johnston's Beneteau 31.7 is Good Prospect, Killyleagh Pair Scoop Flying Fifteen East Coast Cup, Lively Lady Sails to Victory in Fickle ISORA Race to Rockabill, SB3 Team Sanya Welcome Scuppered by Strong Winds. We'll have more reports later this morning from the J24 Easterns in Howth, the National 18 season in Cork and J80 Match racing.

Plans are afoot to bring powerboat racing's Harmsworth Trophy event to Cork in 2014 - over 100 years since Cork Harbour hosted the first ever edition of the race. SCROLL DOWN FOR ARCHIVE Footage.

Regarded as the powerboat version of yachting's America's Cup, the first Harmsworth Trophy was won in July 1903 by Napier, which was allegedly piloted by women's world land speed record holder Dorothy Lewitt.

According to the Tom MacSweeney column in the Evening Echo, a consortium is hard at work to bring the race back to its birthplace - coinciding with the Round Ireland Powerboat Race, which will also be held out of Cork in 2014.

Denis Dillon of the Irish Sailing Association commented: "There is a group of Cork enthusiasts interested and is trying to put a consortium together that would also bring back one of the original 1903 boats still is existance which is in the USA.

"It came first in its class and second overall in the race in 1903 and they hope to bring it back for the 2014 race."

With less than a fortnight to go Corkonians and visitors alike can look forward to Cork Harbour Open Day, writes Jehan Ashmore

This will be the third Cork Harbour Day which is to cover a wide range of events, such as concerts on Spike Island, a photographic exhibition in Camden Fort, guided tours of an Irish naval ship at Cork City Quays and an open day at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI).

In addition Fastnet Line's ferry Julia will be open for the public to board. The 22,161 gross tonnes serves the Cork-Swansea route and for the Open Day she will be berthed at Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth instead of the nearby ferry terminal. To read details of Open day programme visit www.corkharbour.ie and updates click HERE.

The concept for the Harbour Open Day emerged three years ago, which combined various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for Cork Harbour. A group comprising of representatives from UCC, City and County Councils, the Naval Service and the Port of Cork set about working together to engage with users of the harbour and to organise the Open Day.

Cork Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, next to Sydney Harbour, offering beautiful locations for enjoying the outdoors, dramatic coastlines, and excellent leisure facilities, and is home to some very talented artists, sportsmen and women, and people who are passionate about the history, heritage and cultural value of Cork Harbour.

Following the historic visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland in May, Cunard Line's newest cruiseship Queen Elizabeth is to make her maiden 'Irish' voyage next month, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 90,901 gross registered tonnes cruise ship is to depart her Hampshire homeport, where she is to similarly follow the monarch in that she is scheduled to make a port of call to Dublin first on 9 September and make a call to Cork afterwards.

With a length of 295m / 965-feet the vessel will dock in the centre of the capital port before she sails overnight to make a morning arrival at Cobh, the dedicated cruise terminal for the Port of Cork. She is scheduled to stay at the Cork Harbour town formerly named Queenstown until a 17.00 hour departure.

Her visit coincides with Cork Harbour Open Day, where visitors can view the impressive vessel from the quayside, for more details visit www.corkharbour.ie

Incidentally her near-sister Queen Victoria also called to Dublin in May and the remaining vessel of the Cunard fleet, the 'flagship' liner Queen Mary 2 is also to dock in Cobh three days later after Queen Elisabeth's visit.

With next month around the corner, the Port of Cork is to welcome another dozen cruiseships with the first September caller to be Costa Deliziosa which docks this Thursday, writes Jehan Ashmore.

To get a better understanding of the extensive facilities available on board for the 2,826 passengers, why not have a gawk using the Multi-Media Centre page by clicking HERE (noting when done then click 'Pictures and Movies'). From here you can enter the world of life-on board (with video presentations by scrolling down) for the aromatic thermal baths, the shops gallery, the Japanese tea room, Cinema Etoiles, the Samsara Spa or have a look of an ocean view category cabin.

Of the 1,130 cabins in total, 52 have direct access to the Samsara Spa, 662 with private balcony, 106 suites with private balcony and 4 suites also have direct access to the Samsara Spa. To read more about the ship which also features a thalassotherapy, treatment rooms, sauna, turkish bath and an UVA-ray solarium click HERE.

Colman Garvey and Martin Darrer's Projection 35 True Penance was the Class one IRC winner of the fourth sailing race in the Royal Cork YC O'Leary Insurances League. The race was held in sunshine and a nice breeze inside Cork Harbour last night. The breeze came from a S.E. direction at 10 to 15 knots. The start was about 2 and a half hours before Low Water. Race Officer Paul O'Shea set a nice course for all classes, all classes finishing before dark!

Results Summary:
1st in White Sail IRC Seamus Gilroy's Dufour 34 "Split Point"
1st in White Sail Echo Seamus Gilroy's Dufour 34 "Split Point"
1st in Class 3 IRC Paul Murray's Impala 28 "Prometheus"
1st in Class 3 Echo Paul Murray's Impala 28 "Prometheus"
1st in Class 2 IRC Ted Crosbie's X302 MK2 "No Excuse"
1st in Class 2 Echo Mark Mendell's Sun Fast 32 "Wicked"
1st in Class 1 IRC Colman Garvey & Martin Darrer's Projection 35 "True Penance"
1st in Class 1 Echo  Colman Garvey & Martin Darrer's Projection 35 "True Penance"

There was a nice sized fleet sailing in Cork Harbour last night for the third race of Royal Cork's 'O'Leary Insurances League', a race that was even calmer than last Thursday writes our Cork Harbour Correspondent. The start was about two hours before High Water. The breeze came from a S.S.W. direction at 3 to 8 knots, more than on Dublin Bay where racing for the DBSC fleet was cancelled last night. 

Results Summary:
1st in White Sail IRC Micheal Lynch's Sun Odyssey 32i "Lady T"
1st in White Sail Echo Micheal Lynch's Sun Odyssey 32i "Lady T"
1st in Class 3 IRC Jimmy Nyhan & Maritta Buwalda's 1/4 Tonner "Outrigger"
1st in Class 3 Echo Tom & Cormac MacSweeney's Sigma 33 "Seascapes"
1st in Class 2 IRC Paul & Deirdre Tingle's First 31.7 "Alpaca"
1st in Class 2 Echo Leonard Donnery's Nicholson 33 "No Gnomes"
1st in Class 1 IRC Donal O'Leary's X35 "D-Tox"
1st in Class 1 Echo Frank Doyle's A35 "Endgame"

 

On Saturday 27th August 2011, the Port of Cork will open its doors to the public from 11am until 4pm as part of Cork Heritage Day. The spectacular rooms of Custom House will be open to the public offering visitors the opportunity to view the impressive boardroom and committee room as well as the fine collection of maritime artwork owned by the Port of Cork Company.

This year the 'Port In Pictures', a photograph exhibition of the port over the years; will also be on display in the main reception area of Custom House.

Organised by Cork City Council, Cork Heritage Open Day celebrates Ireland's architecture and heritage by enabling free access to properties & events of interest to the public that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Details of this year's events and participating buildings appear on the website www.corkheritageopenday.ie

The Cobh Peoples Regatta Took place at the weekend in Cork harbour. Every August the harbour becomes a focal point for a regatta where small local sailing and rowing craft gather for races and not to say the least some craic agus ceol just 15 miles from Cork City. The three day festival was packed with live music in the island's many pubs and clubs and maybe spot the odd fire-eater. There was even some racing action from Classes 1-4 and the 1720's, images of the action below from Afloat's Bob Bateman.

A total of 30 boats competed for the title of RS Feva National and Open Champion in Cork Harbour this weekend. The overall winner, with five first places, was RCYC's David Whitaker with Jil McGinley crewing. SCROLL DOWN FOR BOB BATEMAN'S PHOTOS. The event was sponsored by Funboats.ie.

Nine races were set over three days by Race Officer Richard Leonard, with racing mainly on the Curlane bank. Despite challenging visibility on the first day, racing conditions were good all weekend, with winds strong, but not overpowering. RCYC boats perfomed strongly in their home waters, taking the first three podium positions.

In the Gold Fleet, Whitaker and McGinley led from the outset, holding first position from day 1. Sean O'Brien and Louise Shanahan, RCYC took first place in the Silver Fleet. First Girl was won by Greystones SC duo Lisa Smith and Kate Hayes.

An extra race was held on the second day, Saturday, resurrecting an old tradition of a crew's race back to the Royal Cork Yacht Club. The crews race was won by 11 year old Sarah Cudmore, RCYC.

RESULTS
Gold Fleet:
1st David Whitaker, Jil McGinley (RCYC), 10pts;
2nd Marc Cudmore, Sarah Cudmore (RCYC), 24pts;
3rd Sam McGinley, Richard McGinley (RCYC), 27pts;
4th David Johnston, Louise Flynn Byrne (Howth YC), 31pts;
5th Seafra Guilfoyle, Philip Brownlow (RCYC), 33pts.

Silver Fleet:
1st Sean O'Brien, Louise Shanahan (RCYC)
2nd Ciara Byrne, Megan Hayes (Greystones SC)
3rd Blaithnaid O'Connell, Rosanna Cassidy, (RSTGYC)

First Girl Helm: Lisa Smith and Kate Hayes (Greystones SC)
U13 Winner: Jamie Tingle, Criofan Guilfoyle (RCYC)
U14 Winner: Nicky Delamer, Conor Howard (Howth YC)
U15 Winner: Dermot Lyden, Brian Stokes (RCYC/BSC)