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Displaying items by tag: Moy

#currach – The Ballina Quay Regatta fest is making a fantastic return to the quay from June 12th -14th and is set to reignite the nostalgia of years gone by with a spectacular line up featuring All Ireland Currach Racing, boat treasure hunts, fishing competitions, air displays, water skiing and much much more.
The event aims to be a fantastic addition to the already action packed summer calendar in Mayo North and is being presented by the Moy Estuary Boat club, supporting the Ballyglass Lifeboat RNLI service.

After 20 years, the regatta is finally making its grand return and will delight both visitors and locals with an array of magnificient events. Friday night will see a Pirate Treasure Hunt come to the quay, followed by the Rejoice Gospel Choir Concert and the Monarch of the Quay Disco; a perfect introduction to the weekend long entertainment.

The Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point will host a super adventurous and enjoyable day on Saturday as the Quay will be awash with activity and craic. Stand Up Paddling Board and Kayak races will be taking place all day and there will also be a Fishing Competition in the lead up to the Ceili Mor which will have the entire crowd dancing and jigging as nightime approaches.

On Sunday 14th June, local resident, 92 years young Una Timoney, will cut the ribbon and Mr Chris Reynolds, Director Irish Coast Guard will also officiate at the opening ceremony. This will be followed by Children's Pirate Themed Fancy Dress Parade to the Quay. The Band 2 Brigade will headline on Sunday with an amazing live performace and the final day will also feature a craft fair and a stunning air stunt display, the perfect day out for all the family.

The excitement is surely building, as many of the residents bear fond memories of days gone by and previous regatta festivals in the Quay. Without a doubt, a strong sense of nostalgia surrounds the festival with much anticipation for the return of the regatta, bigger and better than ever before. 4 Team Mixed Relay Swim to Sheaf Throwing, Tug-o-War, and lots more fun and games, the programme of events for the weekend is certainly an impressive one. 

Published in Currachs

Ireland & La Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, was originally called the course de l’Aurore until 1980, was created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault.

Half a decade later, the race has created some of France's top offshore sailors, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new boat equipped with foils and almost 50 skippers Including novices, aficionados and six former winners.

The solo multi-stage offshore sailing race is one of the most cherished races in French sailing and one that has had Irish interest stretching back over 20 years due to the number of Irish stopovers, usually the only foreign leg of the French race.

What Irish ports have hosted The Solitaire du Figaro?

The race has previously called to Ireland to the following ports; Dingle, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

What Irish sailors have raced The Solitaire du Figaro?

So far there have been seven Irish skippers to participate in La Solitaire du Figaro. 

In 1997, County Kerry's Damian Foxall first tackled the Figaro from Ireland. His win in the Rookie division in DHL gave him the budget to compete again the following year with Barlo Plastics where he won the final leg of the race from Gijon to Concarneau. That same year a second Irish sailor Marcus Hutchinson sailing Bergamotte completed the course in 26th place and third Rookie.

In 2000, Hutchinson of Howth Yacht Club completed the course again with IMPACT, again finishing in the twenties.

In 2006, Paul O’Riain became the third Irish skipper to complete the course.

In 2013, Royal Cork's David Kenefick raised the bar by becoming a top rookie sailor in the race. 

In 2018, for the first time, Ireland had two Irish boats in the offshore race thanks to Tom Dolan and Joan Mulloy who joined the rookie ranks and kept the Irish tricolour flying high in France. Mulloy became the first Irish female to take on the race.

Tom Dolan in Smurfit Kappa competed for his third year in 2020 after a 25th place finish in 2019. Dolan sailed a remarkably consistent series in 2020 and took fifth overall, the best finish by a non-French skipper since 1997 when Switzerland’s Dominique Wavre finished runner up. Dolan wins the VIVI Trophy.

Dolan finished 10th on the first stage, 11th on the second and seventh into Saint Nazaire at the end of the third stage. Stage four was abandoned due to lack of wind. 

Also in 2020, Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball became the eleventh Irish sailor to sail the Figaro.

At A Glance – Figaro Race

  • It starts in June or July from a French port.
  • The race is split into four stages varying from year to year, from the length of the French coast and making up a total of around 1,500 to 2,000 nautical miles (1,700 to 2,300 mi; 2,800 to 3,700 km) on average.
  • Over the years the race has lasted between 10 and 13 days at sea.
  • The competitor is alone in the boat, participation is mixed.
  • Since 1990, all boats are of one design.

2023 La Solitaire du Figaro Course

Stage #1 Caen – Kinsale : 610 nautical miles
Departure August 27 (expected arrival August 30)

Stage #2 Kinsale – Baie de Morlaix : 630 nautical miles
Departure September 3 (expected arrival September 6)

Stage #3 Baie de Morlaix – Piriac-sur-Mer : 620 nautical miles
Departure September 10 (expected arrival September 13)

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