Displaying items by tag: Carlow

21st February 2015

Junior Eight Best at St Michael's Head of the River

#ROWING: The junior A eight from St Michael’s were the fastest crew at the St Michael’s Head of the River at O’Brien’s Bridge today. Carlow’s intermediate four were just three seconds slower. The St Michael’s senior eight, rowing in unfavourable conditions later in the day, could only manages sixth place overall. The UCD B eight were the fastest women’s crew.

St Michael’s Head of the River, O’Brien’s Bridge, Saturday (Selected Results)

Overall: 1 St Michael’s A junior 18 eight 10 minutes 52 seconds, 2 Carlow intermediate four 10:55, 3 St Michael’s inter eight 10:56, 4 Commercial senior quadruple sculls 10:57, 5 Commercial Club Two eight 11:05, 6 St Michael’s senior eight 11:09.

Men

Eight – Senior: St Michael’s 11 minutes 9 seconds. Inter: St Michael’s 10:56. Club Two: Commercial A 11:05. Junior 18: St Michael’s A 10:52. Jun 16: Col Iognáid 11:21. Masters: Fermoy 11:39.

Four – Senior: St Michael’s 11:11. Inter: Carlow 10:55. St Brendan’s Junior 18, coxed: Col Iognáid 13:14. Masters: Galway 13:23.

Pair – Junior 18: Athlunkard 13:04.

Sculling

Quadruple – Senior: Commercial 10:57. Inter: Garda 11:10. Novice: St Brendan’s (coxed) 16:21. Club Two: Clonmel 12:44. Jun 18: Presentation 11:33. Jun 16: Commercial A (coxed) 12:07. Masters: Shandon 11:53.

Double – Senior: Castleconnell/Portadown 11:33. Inter: Presentation 12:05, Killorglin 12:05. Jun 18: Fermoy B 12:31.

Single – Senior: St Michael’s (D O’Connor) 12:19. Inter: Garda 12:26. Novice: Castleconnell (A Mozdzer) 14:22. Jun 18: Waterford (A Goff) 12:38. Jun 16: Commercial (E Meehan) 13:43. Masters: Cahir 13:22.

Women

Eight – Senior: UCD B 11:45. Novice: Commercial C 13:19. Club Two: Galway 12:56. Jun 18: Shannon 11:47. Jun 16: Col Iognáid 14:29. Masters: Shannon 14:58.

Four – Inter: Shannon (coxed) 13:40. Novice: Fermoy B (coxed) 13:51. Jun 18: Carlow A 13:07. Jun 16: Cork 13:06. Masters: Tribesmen 14:58.

Pair – Senior: Shannon A 13:43. Inter: Univ of Limerick 14:49. Jun 18: Shannon 14:37.

Sculling

Quadruple – Club Two: Athlunkard (coxed) 13:02.

Double – Inter: Carlow 14:13. Jun 18: Cork A 14:18.

Single – Inter: St Michael’s (A O’Sullivan) 14:34. Novice: Fermoy (E Kinsella) 17:24. Jun 18: Fermoy (S Cotter) 14:59. Jun 16: Workmans (S Burns) 15:24.

Published in Rowing

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1st October 2013

Carlow's A Lock For Ireland's Premier Diving School

#Diving - A giant glass-sided water tank will be a feature of the new diver training facility that's currently under construction at Webster's Lock in Carlow town, as the Carlow Nationalist reports.

The new diving school on the River Barrow will be the new permanent home of the Carlow/Graiguecullen Sub Aqua Club and has been more than three years in the making.

According to the Irish Independent, phase one of the project is set to be completed by the New Year, and will see the old lock house transformed into a state-of-the-art training facility, with the glass-sided tank allowing trainees to watch divers in action from a viewing gallery.

When completed, the scheme will also include special lighting to facilitate night dive training, copious storage space and a compression zone.

It's hoped that the new centre will facilitate year-round training for divers across Ireland, both recreational divers and those aspirating for professional certification - the latter invaluable when volunteer divers are required for search and rescue efforts.

The Carlow Nationalist has more on the story HERE.

Published in Diving

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19th April 2013

Country Home On The River Slaney At A Bargain Price

#Property - A mid-Georgian country house on 50 acres in Co Carlow with its own angler's chalet on the River Slaney is attracting much attention from overseas for its knock-down price.

The Irish Times is singing the praises of Ballynoe House, a two-storey home with seven bedrooms and various additional outbuildings set in "beautiful parkland with good pasturage" - perfect for its owners Willem and Anneke Savelkouls who bred horses and kept sheep on the land.

The house itself comprises 850 sqm of floor space, the ground floor featuring a sizeable reception hall plus two high-ceilinged reception rooms with large windows, an open plan kitchen/living area and a study.

Upstairs can be found a master suite, five family bedrooms sharing two bathrooms and a guest suite with shower. Another bedroom is located in the basement, which features a games room, wine cellar, office space and a housekeeper's apartment.

Outside, the walled garden at the rear includes a swimming pool and pavilion added by noted architect Sam Stephenson when he was a resident in the 1970s, as well as a disused tennis court that a resurfacing would bring bang up to shape.

One big selling point is the property's prime waterfront location along a 2km stretch of the River Slaney, providing for some top-class salmon and trout angling.

Previously on the market for almost €4 million, Ballynoe House today is a snap for all you'll get at an asking price of just €1.24 million.

Viewing is by appointment only with agents Sherry FitzGerald. The Irish Times has more on the property HERE.

On the slightly more modest end of the scale, Collerans Auctioneers in Galway are handing the sale of 114 Ocean Wave in Salthill, a four-bed detached home close to the famous promenade for €460,000.

According to the Galway Advertiser, the house offers "beautiful views" of Galway Bay from the master bedroom on the first floor (completed by three en-suites).

On the ground floor, generous living and office space plus separate entrances lend the property to use as a GP practice or similar.

Published in Waterfront Property

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28th February 2012

River Barrow Has Potential for Tourism

#INLAND WATERWAYS - A new study on the River Barrow and its environs recommends the development of "activity hubs, tourist trails and new angling and boat facilities", The Irish Times reports.

Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland commissioned the Barrow Corridor Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Identification Survey to find ways to exploit the area's "undeveloped potential" for tourism.

The survey covered the river itself as well as its estuary and the Barrow branch of the Grand Canal. Its findings pointed to a number of areas where development is already being actioned, such as in boating and cruising, nature and wildlife, and angling.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan, who launched the study in Carlow yesterday, hailed the co-operation of the agencies and county councils involved.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Inland Waterways

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7th March 2011

Sailing Body Elects First Female President

In one of her last official functions as Minister for Sport, outgoing local TD Mary Hanafin attended the Irish Sailing Association's annual Ball last Saturday in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire.

Attended by 315 people the black tie ball featured an awards ceremony that has been hailed 'a great success' by the association.

On Saturday afternoon the association elected a new President, Niamh McCutcheon, the first female ISA President since the organisation was founded in 1945.

A collection in aid of the RNLI raised over €2,250.

Award details below:

ISA Sailing Achievement of the Year
This award is presented by the ISA to recognise the outstanding achievement in a sailing craft by an Irish person or in Ireland during 2010.
Winner: Nicholas 'Nin' O'Leary, Royal Cork Yacht Club
Nicholas' achievements included narrowly beating his father Anthony at the ISA All Ireland Championships in 2010 by just a single point after a nail-biting finale in difficult conditions off Kinsale in November. The win made it three-in-a-row for this remarkable young 24 year old sailor - the only person to achieve this in the 64 years of the event's history.

ISA Volunteer of the Year
This award is given to a member of an ISA affiliated club or class who has made a significant voluntary contribution to their sport during 2010.
Winner: Brian Craig, Royal St. George Yacht Club.
Brian has been nominated by the Royal St. George Yacht Club for the vital role he has played in developing sailing in Ireland and specifically Dun Laoghaire over the past 40 years. His most recent success was winning the bid for Dun Laoghaire to host the 2012 ISAF Youth Worlds.

ISA Youth Sailor of the Year
This award is presented by the ISA to recognise the outstanding achievement by a sailor competing in ISA Performance Pathway boats during 2010.
Winner: Finn Lynch, Blessington Sailing Club
Placing 2nd overall at the Topper World Championships in 2010 left the Carlow sailor in good stead for a Youth Sailor nomination. A determined sailor and strong character, it's clear that with these strengths Finn has the potential to go far in our sport.

ISA Instructor of the Year
This award recognises the role instructors have in providing access to our sports. The final 5 have been nominated by their students with the ultimate winner selected by an ISA judging panel.
Winner: Aine Carroll, Rush Sailing Club
Aine has been an ISA instructor for the last 11 years, instructing both adult and junior sailors in Rush Sailing Club. A keen Mermaid sailor, her love of sailing, her enthusiasm for the sport and willingness to give her time to her sailors have been infectious and remarkable. Apparently the kids at the club think she is a 'legend' and 'cool'!

ISA Training Centre of the Year
The face of ISA water sports to thousands of participants. The best in 2010 as nominated by their students.
Winner: University of Limerick Activity Centre
Situated on the sheltered shores of Lough Derg, University of Limerick Activity Centre has been in operation for over a decade. ULAC provides a varied programme of adventure activities to the general public. The University of Limerick Activity Centre runs ISA courses in sailing dinghies, windsurfers, powerboat as well as emergency care training courses.

Published in ISA

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29th August 2010

Lynch Finishes Fourth at Topper Worlds

In spite of a final race win overall victory escaped Carlow's Finn Lynch at the Topper World Championships on Lake Garda. At the halfway stage of the event the Blessington sailor was lying joint second but the next nine races saw a number of changes at the top of the leaderboard. Italy's Michele Benamati emerged as winner after 15 races on 28 points leaving Lynch, who won the British topper title in July, fourth overall in the 124 boat fleet. Official results HERE.

Published in Topper

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About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth