Displaying items by tag: Sean Connick,

21st September 2010

Ireland Newfoundland Conference to Focus on Marine Leisure Infrastructure

As part of a festival to develop closer cooperation between Newfoundland and Ireland, New Ross in County Wexford is hosting a conference this Friday with a focus on Marine Leisure Infrastructure as a useful focus for both countries, with contributions from home based industry and Newfoundlanders.

Almost 50% of the Newfoundland population can trace their ancestry to South East Ireland. The two islands also share economic development challenges, providing opportunities for collaboration in the areas of fisheries, coastal tourism and local development.

In 2004, an annual festival was developed to facilitate closer cooperation between the two countries. The festival alternates between South East Ireland and Newfoundland consists of a series of 60 events over ten days including three formal conferences.

Ireland Newfoundland Festival of the Sea - Marine Leisure Conference

Friday, 24th September 2010, 9am - Brandon House Hotel, New Ross, Co. Wexford

9:00 Registration

9:30 – Introductions by Sean Reidy, CEO JFK Trust

- Welcome by John Dwyer, Chairman, New Ross Town Council

- Opening by Sean Connick, Minister of State, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

- Special Guest: Dennis O'Keefe, Mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland

10:00 – Developing a Marine Leisure Infrastructure Strategy with Vicki O'Donnell, Coastal & Marine Resource Centre, University College Cork

11:00 Tea & coffee

11:15 Workshops

1) Estuary and cruising ground, facilities at harbours

Chaired by – Captain Phil Murphy, Kilmore Quay Harbour Office & Andy Careen, Southern Shore, Newfoundland

2) Community heritage interpretation

Chaired by - Declan Rice, CEO, Kilkenny Leader Partnership & Pat Curran, CEO, Irish Loop Development Board, Newfoundland

3) Marketing & packaging

Chaired by – Ethna Murphy, Fáilte Ireland & John Chidley, Ferryland, Newfoundland

12:30 Feedback chaired by David Minogue, Town Clerk, New Ross Town Council

13:00 Lunch

14:30 Boat trip to Duncannon (bus collection in Duncannon and on to Hook Lighthouse)

14:30 Bus trip to Kennedy Homestead, Duncannon and on to Hook Lighthouse

In 2004, an annual festival was developed to facilitate closer cooperation between the two countries. The festival alternates between South East Ireland & Newfoundland & consists of a series of 60 events over 10 days including 3 formal conferences.

Each festival has featured a conference on the marine sector & this year, 2010, New Ross is hosting a conference with a focus on Marine Leisure Infrastructure as a useful focus for both countries, with contributions from each country.

Past events of the Ireland Newfoundland Festival

2004
Hook Head Visit from the Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador & the Minister for Innovation
Newfoundland Irish representatives met with the Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador, & representatives of the Federal & Provincial Government as well as many communities in the Southern Avalon
Duncannon Visit from the Minister for Tourism of Newfoundland & Labrador
2005
Dunmore East Full Festival including Maritime Heritage conference with an Irish contribution from the Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, UCC
2006
Newfoundland Full Festival including Coastal Zone & Catchment Management conference with Irish contributions from: Dept of Marine; Eastern Regional Fisheries Board; Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, UCC & National Fishermen's' Association
2007
Kilmore Quay Full Festival including Fisheries & Coastal Communities conference with Irish contributions from: DG Fisheries & Maritime Affairs, European Commission; Marine Institute & BIM
2009
Newfoundland Full Festival including Fisheries conference with Irish contributions from local charter angling boats.

Published in Maritime Festivals

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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.