Dun Laoghaire's Royal Irish YC had a solid record in the original three-boat national team format Admiral's Cup. In 1979, going into the Fastnet Race itself, Ireland was leading overall with Ken Rohan's Holland 39 Regardless (RIYC) the top boat on points. Despite Regardless and Golden Apple (Hugh Coveney, RCYC) both having to retire with rudder damage in the Fastnet storm, Ireland still finished 8th overall out of 26 national teams.
Then in 1987, with former RIYC Commodore Terry Johnson as Ireland's Chef d'Equipe and top flag officer Tim Goodbody as lead helm, the Dubois 40 Irish Independent (RIYC) was top scoring boat and overall winner in the Fastnet, and Ireland achieved their best Admirals Cup result of 4th out of 13 teams.
The Dubois 40 Irish Independent at the Fastnet Rock in August 1987, with Tim Goodbody (RIYC) as lead helm on the way to the overall win.
Now with the Admirals Cup back in play for two boat club teams for the Centenary Fastnet Race this summer, the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC), has confirmed its participation in the series. Often dubbed the 'unofficial world cup' of offshore racing, it was first established in 1957, and became one of the most prestigious and cherished competitions in the global sailing community, but became impossibly expensive in its original three-boat national team setup.
FIRST SERIES IN 22 YEARS
2025 is the first year the Admiral's Cup is being held in twenty-two years. The event in its new form of two-boat club teams will take place at the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) at Cowes, Isle of Wight from July 19 - August 01, concluding with the Fastnet Race on July 26th.
For the 2025 Cup, the Royal Irish Yacht Club is determined to bring the prestigious trophy to Ireland for the first time, assembling a solid and competitive team to do so. Under Chef d'Equipe Michael Boyd, a past Commodore RORC and successful offshore skipper, the RIYC team for the 2025 Admiral's Cup will be Ron O'Hanley's Privateer, a Cookson 50, and Tom Kneen's Sunrise IV, a JPK 1180.
Ron O'Hanley's Cookson 50 Privateer taking line honours and setting a course record in the 2023 Dun Laoghaire-Dingle Race. Photo: National YC
Privateer has an impressive international record, including winning the overall prize at the RORC Caribbean 600. This major 11-island 600 mile race around the Caribbean islands has many of international sailing's top talents competing from all over the world. As well as coming second overall in the 2017 Fastnet Race, Privateer currently hold the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle course record at 19 hours and 19 minutes.
Popular and successful offshore owner-skipper Tom Kneen has committed to the Royal Irish YC for the 2025 Admiral's Cup
Tom Kneen is renowned as an offshore racing skipper. He and his crew have been one of the most successful combinations in offshore racing over the past five years taking Sunrise III to overall victory in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race. They also placed second in the Middle Sea race in 2021, and more recently won the Cowes Dinard St Malo Race in 2024.
The RIYC's participation underscores the club's commitment to achieving excellence in offshore sailing and honours its rich maritime heritage. With a formidable team in the making, the RIYC is ready to compete at the highest level at the Cup this summer.
Tim Carpenter, Commodore Royal Irish YC, is spearheading some impressive international challenges by the club in 2025. Photo: RIYC
Commodore of the RIYC Commodore Tim Carpenter commented on the competition: "We are delighted that the owners of these two fine yachts will represent our club at this famous series. At the Royal Irish Yacht Club, our aim is to strengthen our members' involvement in offshore racing, and we see this Admiral's Cup participation as a significant step towards that goal"
