A group of Dún Laoghaire sailors is in possession of a large photographic archive by the late sailing photographer John Fitzpatrick.
The collection spans thousands of images documenting Irish sailing between 1971 and 1990, and the group are in the process of indexing the negatives.
It includes Dublin Bay Sailing Club racing, national championships and major regattas across the country.
Tall ship moment: Asgard II leads a colourful fleet during the 1984 DBSC Centenary Regatta, a standout occasion in Dublin Bay sailing captured in the Fitzpatrick archive Photo: John Fitzpatrick
Among the events captured the Enterprise World Championships in Bray, Calves Week over the years, the DBSC Centenary Regatta in 1984 and the Admiral’s Cup trials of 1977 and 1985.
The archive also features activity at clubs including Bray, Greystones, Blessington, Cobh and Howth, alongside classes such as Mirrors, Lasers and Glen boats.
Dun Laoghaire Sailing Historian Vincent Delany said the collection represents “a unique visual record of Irish sailing over two decades”.
Classic fleet: Dublin Bay Glen Class yachts racing in light airs, a snapshot from 1974 showing traditional one-design sailing still active in the Fitzpatrick archive years Photo: John Fitzpatrick
He added that sailors, clubs and owners can request scans of specific boats or events.
Images can be digitised at high resolution and shared directly with those seeking historical material.
Colour run: Cruiser Jimi The Fink powers along with a bright multi-coloured spinnaker, a typical Fitzpatrick image of Dublin Bay racing fleets in full flight during the 1980s Photo: John Fitzpatrick
The group is now inviting interest from the wider sailing community to help identify and connect images with those featured in them.
Further examples from the archive are expected to be released in due course.
Contact Vincent Delany for further information at [email protected]
