Howth Yacht Club's Pat Murphy, one of Ireland’s best-known racing and cruising sailors, has died.
He was a GP14 champion in the 1970s and 1980s with Kilbarrack SC and later Clontarf Y&BC. He remained active in the class for decades.
Murphy and his late wife, Olivia, circumnavigated the globe over nine years in their yacht Aldebaran. They later shared the voyage with talks around the country.
Earlier this year, Murphy presented the Pat & Olivia Murphy Trophy to Olympians Sean Waddilove and Rob Dickson at Howth YC's Olympians & Achievers Awards.
He was a leading figure in the Irish marine industry, including senior roles with the Irish Marine Federation and chairing its successful national boat show committees.
Murphy was central to conserving Asgard, the 1905 yacht famed for the 1914 gun-running. He helped ensure the vessel’s authentic presentation at the National Museum. He also took Asgard’s story nationwide in a long-running lecture tour.
Tributes have been paid across the sailing community.
GP14 Class President Andy Johnston said: “Very sad news indeed. Also sailed from Sutton Dinghy Club for many years. Came out of retirement in the Classic Fleet as part of the 2013 Championship of Ireland in Sutton. Will be greatly missed. RIP Pat.”
Veteran sailor Curly Morris said, “Sad news indeed. Pat was a good friend, a great supporter of the GP14 Class and an outstanding sailor. One of those people who you really wanted to beat! Ann and I will really miss him.”
Another veteran, Norman Lee of Greystones, added: “Pat did great work encouraging GP sailing, especially building the Leinster fleet in size and ability to hold its own against the dominant Ulster fleet in the sixties and seventies. That included doing all the local regattas, the annual Clontarf frostbite and starting his business Dinghy Supplies to cater better for dinghy sailors than the chandler’s of the time. RIP.”
A full appreciation will appear in due course; meanwhile, our heartfelt sympathies are with his sons Shane, Padraic and Fintan, his partner Ger and very many friends at home and abroad.
Rip.ie notice is here
