The clearest indication that a business is succeeding is when one sees growth and expansion in that company’s staffing and operational footprint. Such is the case here at UK Sailmakers Ireland, led by renowned sailmaker and yacht racer Barry Hayes. Having been part of the worldwide UK Sailmakers International network of sailmakers for 23 years, Hayes’ Dublin and Northern Ireland base continues to expand its prominence in the Irish sailing community by consistently delivering well-designed, fast, and durable sails for both racing and cruising yachts.
Hayes recently noted, “As our business continues to expand in Ireland, we find more and more demand for high-level sales and service professionals; I’m pleased to announce the addition of two new sailmakers to our UK Sailmakers Ireland operations: Kenny Rumball and Liam Glynn.”
Kenny Rumball
Kenny Rumball focus on offshore racing customers with an overall view of creating leading-edge big boat racing sails
Rumball started sailing at the Sutton Dinghy Club at age five and has been an avid sailboat racer ever since. With a career in the professional marine industry, including expanding one of the largest and most diverse sailing schools in the British Isles and Ireland, Kenny continues to sail dinghies at the highest level of competition. In addition, Kenny has been a professional skipper, specialising in offshore sailing for the past eight years. He also ran Fast 40 campaigns and, for three seasons, sailed in the French Solo Offshore One-Design circuit. Now he’s working out of the Dublin base, Kenny’s will focus on offshore racing customers with an overall view of creating leading-edge big boat racing sails.
Liam Glynn
Liam Glynn - operating across Northern Ireland
Glynn will operate remotely in the north of Ireland, expanding the Dublin loft’s geographic footprint. A former Topper World Champion and member of the Irish Laser Sailing Academy programme, in 2021, Liam decided to leave the Irish Sailing Team to focus on college and the Irish 1720 circuit while also coaching the Irish Sailing junior squads in Ireland. Liam has sailed with Barry Hayes for years and is now working for one of his sailing mentors.
UK Sailmakers International President John Bennet said the following about this growth in the Dublin base, “Barry continues to be a leader in both European sailing and sailmaking, as well as one of the guiding lights within the UKI network. It is no surprise to us that Barry needed to hire these two exceptional young sailmakers as a means to support his steadily growing business. All of us at UKI welcome Kenny and Liam to the UK Sailmakers family.”
