#Shannon - The Shannon Foynes Port Company has launched its master plan for the development of port infrastructure and services along the Shannon Estuary.

RTÉ News reports on the 30-year plan, titled Vision 2041, which will involve the construction of a new deepwater birth at Foynes, the development of warehousing and facilities across 300 acres of additional land - and the potential reopening of the Foynes-Limerick railway line, which has lain dormant since 2001.

As one of the deepest waterways in Europe, the estuary is also in prime position to take advantage of the new 'post-panamax' supertanker shipping era, and talks on securing future foreign direct investment as a priority.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, submissions for the accompanying strategic plan for the development and management of marine-related industry and tourism in the Shannon Estuary region closed last week.

The Draft Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary, the first of its type to be developed in Ireland, identifies a number of strategic sites along the estuary for future possible development in the areas of industry, tourism, energy, fishing and aquaculture and marine-related industry.

#foynes – The Foynes Flying Boat Museum took a major step toward receiving full accreditation from the Heritage Council under a programme that aims to raise minimum standards in the sector.

The County Limerick tourist attraction, which entered the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) in 2010, was presented with interim accreditation by Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Jimmy Deenihan at a ceremony in the Architectural Archive in Dublin this week. Minister Deenihan said the accreditation was being presented for excellence in caring for the collection, museum management, education, exhibitions and visitor services.

Administered by the Heritage Council, the voluntary programme includes seven categories consisting of 34 standards, 25 of which are interim standards and nine are full. Nationally to date,15 museums have achieved full accreditation and 10 have received interim accreditation.

'Museum Standards for Ireland, working towards the care of Ireland's heritage, certify Foynes Flying Boat Museum has been awarded Interim Accreditation in the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland

Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Cllr. Jerome Scanlan congratulated the staff and Board of Foynes Flying Boat Museum for their continued efforts to further enhance the West Limerick museum's status as one of Ireland's leading visitor attractions.

"In receiving this accreditation, the management and staff of the Museum have once again underlined their commitment and creative approach to remembering and celebrating Limerick's and Ireland's unique position in aviation history. As a result, the story that this museum first told remains as fascinating today as it did when the facility was established in 1989," stated Cllr. Scanlon.

He added: "From the installation of the replica Yankee Clipper to the completion of works on the reinstated control tower, those involved with the Museum have helped to conserve and protect a key part of the history and heritage of the local area. Limerick County Council is committed to continuing its support for a project that has produced huge dividends for the local economy and the tourism product that County Limerick has to offer."

Reacting to the news, Museum Director Margaret O'Shaughnessy said: "I'm absolutely delighted we have achieved this accreditation. It presents further recognition of the quality museum that is operated by staff and the Board of Directors. It is especially pleasing that we have secured interim accreditation under the MSPI less than two years after we commenced our participation in the programme."

Ms. O'Shaughnessy explained that the Museum will seek to receive full accreditation before the end of 2013.

"The 25 interim standards that we have already achieved are wide ranging and have helped to further enhance the product on offer at the museum. They include a strategic management plan for next three years, a financial plan, safeguarding the condition of the museum collection, the cataloguing of the collection, presentation of collections, development of community education initiatives, and the development of a comprehensive visitor care and access plan."

Last March, the Museum launched the country's First National Aviation Hall of Fame Award. Dr. Tony Ryan, who as founder of Guinness Peat Aviation became the museum's first sponsor, was the first recipient of the National Aviation Award.

#WIORA – In an ebb tide the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Championship's hosted by Foynes Yacht Club got off to a terrific start yesterday on the Shannon Estuary. Race Officer, Liam Dineen set a challenging course for some of the classes. Competitors who travelled from Sligo to Mountshanon, enjoyed fine sailing in a steady north-westerly winds of 30 knots that kept the four fleets entertained for the passage race, which was raced east of Foynes Island to the Loughill navigation buoy.

Results:

Class 1 IRC: 1st Joyrider, 2nd Mustang Sally, 3rd Dexterity.

Echo: 1st Mustang Sally, 2nd Joyrider. 3rd Dexterity.

Class 2 IRC: 1st Dis-A-Ray. 2nd 2602. 3rd Golden Kopper.

Echo: Dis-A-Ray. 2nd 2602. 3rd Golden Kopper.

Class 3 IRC: 1st Reconnaissance. 2nd Jaws. 3rd Battle.

Echo: 1st Reconnaissance. 2nd Jaws. 3rd Battle.

Whiite Sails Division One: 1st Serendipity of Solent. 2nd Wyte Dolphin. 3rd Kerry Dream.

White Sails Division Two: 1st Alpara. 2nd Jabiru. 3rd Sea Saw.

#wiora – Over 30 yachts are coming from clubs in Sligo, Mayo, Westport; Galway, Clifden; Kerry, Fenit; Kilrush, Lough Derg, Inniscealtra and Dromineer, Mountshannon, and from the east coast, Howth Yacht Club to race on the scenic Shannon Estuary in next weeks WIORA championship.

Foynes Yacht Club, based on the shores of the Shannon Estuary in Cooleen Point will be hosting the five day event, an important honour for the club in a year that it celebrates the golden jubilee anniversary of it's founding in July 1962.

The championships will take place from Wednesday, July 11 to Saturday, July 14 inclusive.

Racing will be run in three different classes: Class 1, 2 and 3 in the IRC and Echo handicap system, and the ever popular White Sails division will compete under the Echo handicap system only.

The last time that the club hosted the championship's was in 1998.

Practice races may take place on the Monday and Tuesday prior to the championship's to get the different class yacht's fine tuned.

Quality catering is assured, and top class entertainment will be provided in the Clubhouse during the week.

This, of course being a special year for Foynes Yacht Club, which culminates in quite a lot of preparation and organisation in hosting this prestigious championship on the west coast of Ireland.

Principal race officer, Liam Dineen is looking forward coming to Foynes once again to take the helm. Incidentally, Liam was race officer for the highly successful national Mermaid championship's, which the club hosted in the summer of 2010.

All yacht's that enter the championship's will be given a free berth or mooring for the duration of the event, and yacht lifting and mast stepping facilities will also be provided.

#foynes – On Sunday next Foynes Yacht Club willl be hosting the annual Carrigaholt race, where all classes will participate in racing writes Gerry Ryan. Classes 1, 2, White Sails and the Mermaid fleet will be competeing for the Carrigaholt trophy. It is anticipated that racing will start at 10am from the club line.

It is nearly time now for the West of Ireland Championship's that the club is hosting in early July. Preparation is going according to plan and an entry of 40 yachts have signed up for the event. Of course, as member's are aware this is one of the biggest sailing events in the West coast calendar this year.

Last Saturday the second leg of the Estuary Bell, where the Officer of the Day, Conor Roche chose east of Foynes Island for racing. The conditions for racing was a west-northwest wind force 5.

Leading from the first leg, which took place place on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 in Kilrush Dis-A-Ray in Class 1 in IRC.

Class 1 were sent off on longer beats and had to deal with very testing conditions with flying spinnakers. In race 1 Dexterity ran into difficulty on the last leg and had an alarming Chinese gybe in front of the committee boat just short of the the finish line, which cost them line honours. Unfortunately, they had to retire because of this.

Dis-A-Ray and Hero battled it out for both races and only seconds separated them at the finish. In race 1 Dis-A-Ray took the laurels more than half a minute ahead of Hero, while in race two Hero finished ahead of Dis-A-Ray on corrected time.

However, on corrected time, Hero, with the much higher handicap were placed behind Dis-A-Ray each time. John Conway on Golden Kopper put in a great performance to take a place in race 2 on corrected time.

In the White Sails division courses set had more reaching than beating, which were fine judging from the weather conditions.

Skippers made the decision to reef the mains and sail with a smaller headsail. The wind abated from 30 knots to 25 for race 2.

In race 1 Pat Finucane on Marengo and Brian O'Donnell on Whyte Dolphin were neck and neck for most of the race, O'Donnell on Whyte Dolphin pulled away on the final leg to decorate the mahogany.

Results: Race 1 IRC, 1st Ray, (Ray McGibney); 2nd Hero (Adrian O'Connell); 3rd Golden Kopper (John Conway), and 4th Dexterity (Foynes Team).

Race 2 IRC: 1st Dis-A-Ray. 2nd Golden Kopper. 3rd Hero.

White Sails: 1st Whyte Dolphin (Brian O'Donnell); 2nd Marengo (Patrick Finucane), 3rd Battle (Elaine O'Mahoney.

Race 2: Battle was first across the line but were beaten on corrected time. 1st Whyte Dolphin. 2nd Battle. 3rd Marengo.

Thanks to Ger Reidy on the use of his vessel for the committee boat.

#MERMAID – Last weekend the weather did not dampen the spirits of the participants who took part in Munster Mermaid Championship's at Foynes Yacht Club to coincide with the Foynes Irish Coffee writes Gerry Ryan.

Thirteen boats travelled from the east coast from club's as Skerries, Rush and the National Yacht Club, where they enjoyed some good racing on the Shannon Estuary.

On Saturday two races took place east of Foynes Island in wet conditions, where a force 3 north-easterly breeze pertained for both races. Officer of the Day, Alan McEneff ensured that the 20 boats participating raced the Olympic triangular course for the event.

Race one was very keenly contested with national winner, Sam Shiels sailing Azeezy from Skerries ensuring some good racing skills in beating Vincent McCormack in Three Chevrons. Race two it was much the same picture with Shiels taking line honours and Jill with Paul Smith and Pat Mangan.

On Sunday the rain eased somewhat to give a force 3 breeze with a slight wind shift during racing, and a strong tide to contend with. The winner of this race was Frankie Browne sailing Cara II, but Sam Shiels received the Munster Mermaid Cup on Sunday.

Overall, the home boats did well, with Vincent McCormack on Three Chevrons finishing third on race one, and Darragh McCormack came middle of the fleet in 9th position on Argo.

Vincent McCormack on Three Chevron's won the Best Foynes boat, while James McCormack won the Silver fleet trophy, which was specially commissioned for the golden jubilee year.

At the presentation of prizes on Sunday, Alan McEneff stressed that the next major event will be the West Coast Cruiser Championships in July, and asked that all the Mermaid sailors would assist in the championship's.

Mermaid Class Captain, Darragh McCormack said: 'It was the most spectacular, and skilful racing for the Munster championship's to date, which is getting new entries as it progresses every year.

This coming weekend the first leg of the Estuary Bell will take place hosted by the Royal Western Yacht Club in Kilrush. Two races are scheduled to take place on Saturday and one on Sunday. We wish the Foynes flotilla the very best in Kilrush this weekend. Notice of race etc., is on the club website.

#SHANNON ESTUARY – This coming bank holiday weekend the Munster Mermaid Championships will take place at Foynes Yacht Club with an entry of 15 boats so far writes Gerry Ryan.

Racing will take place over two days, one race on Saturday and two on Sunday are scheduled.

Expected from the east coast are eight craft to participate in the championships, which they have been coming to this event for the last number of year's.

The Foynes Irish Coffee festival is co-inciding with the chamionships and Foynes club will have a 'Fun on the Water Day' at 4pm on Sunday afternoon and lots of events to entertain the public during the festival.

The Irish Naval patrol ship, the L.E. Orla will be berthed in the Docks, where member's of the public are invited for an inspection.

#FOYNES YC –  On Sunday last Foynes Yacht Club on the Shannon Estuary celebrated Commodore's Day, which was a very nostalgic event, because a special handsewn tapestry with the club logo, and with the words 'Foynes yacht club' and the year when the club started 1962-2012 were specially embroided by Teresa Kirwan, who received a lot of praise from all who attended on the day writes Gerry Ryan.

A course for racing was set by Officer of the Day, Alan McEneff in the harbour area for all classes, and all boats were decked out with bunting to add colour to the proceedings.

Unfortunately, the race had to be abandoned due to the lack of wind.

Nevertheless, it was a very nostalgic day, because past Commodore's received gold medals to commemorate their achievement's in the club over the last 50 years.

The former Commodore's who were presented with specially commissioned medals were Bobby Mulrooney, David Floyd, Jim Collier, Charlie McGibney, Paddy McNamara, Pat Moran, John Conway, Frank Dennison, Pat Finucane, and present Commodore Tom Murray.

Commodore Tom Murray in his opening remarks spoke about the vision and philosophy that the former Commodore's who came before him achieved in getting sailor's and member's to join this great club.

He said Foynes Yacht Club could not go on except for the member's volunteering in taking on different tasks during the year to ensure the club stood up to the test of time.

'Training for the juveniles has been to the forefront of the club for a number of year's, and this is going from strength to strength, the youht's are the backbone to every club, and it is great to see so many of them here today', added the Commodore.

In his closing remarks Commodore Murray spoke about the West of Ireland Offshore Championships, which he hoped to have 50 boats for this occasion to coincide with our golden jubilee. The championships are scheduled to take place in July.

The annual blessing of the boats was performed by Fr. Noonan, P.P., Foynes, and after this ceremony a Bar-B-Que was held on the club lawn, where chef's Donal McCormack, John-Paul Buckley, Paddy McSweeney, Bev Lowes and Alan McEneff cooked to the delights of the hungry member's and friend's. Well done to the social committee in preparing the salads to accompany the burgers.

This weekend we will be hosting to first leg of the Estuary Bell, two races are down for Saturday and one on Sunday. Class 1, 2 and White Sails will be competeing for the coveted trophy, and it is envisaged that a good number of craft will be sailing. Present weather indications are for the settled weather to continue.

#FOYNES – Foynes Yacht Club on the Shannon Estuary celebrates Commodore's Day this Sunday writes Gerry Ryan.

Traditionally, it is the biggest annual social occasion when member's entertain their family and friend's with a 'fun day' at the Club and this the event is set to be extra special because Foynes is celebrating its Golden Jubilee.

Commodore Tom Murray has a host of events planned for the day to entertain the large number's of spectator's expected at Cooleen Point for an afternoon of 'fun and frolics'.

A number of fringe events will be taking place on the water, with all classes racing to compete for their respective trophies. Class 1, 2 and White Sails will be competeing for the Paddy Reidy Memorial Trophy; the Michael Synnott Memorial Trophy will be the prize for the Mermaid fleet.

To start off proceedings a briefing is organised for all craft at 2pm. Racing will then commence at 2.15pm, the courses will be decided on the day. The junior member's of the club will be racing the Topaz dinghies, which should provide an added spectacle to the afternoon.

After the racing the annual blessing of the boat's will take place on the marina by Cannon O'Keeffe and Fr. Noonan, approximately at 4pm. When this is complete a Bar-B-Que will take place in the clubhouse lawn, and live music will be provided for all to enjoy.

A presentation of specially commissioned medals will be presented by Commodore Tom Murray to former Commodore's of the Club to mark the golden jubilee of Foynes Yacht Club. Let's hope the weather will be favourable on Sunday for all to enjoy.

On Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 the first leg of the Estuary Bell will take place between the Royal Western, Kilrush and Foynes YC.

Three races are penciled in on the agenda for the weekend, and the first race on the Saturday will be at 12 noon, it is envisaged to run two races on Saturday and one on Sunday.

#FOYNES – On Saturday last the annual cruise to Limerick city took place with a flotilla of yachts leaving Foynes Yacht Club at 2pm as part of the Riverfest celebrations writes Gerry Ryan.

This is the fourth year that this particular cruise was organised, and of course as member's know, it is a very special year in the annals of Foynes Yacht Club-our golden jubilee.

On the day the weather was superb, but unfortunately, the wind was north-easterly so we had to use engine power on the journey.

At rafting up at Steamboat Quay for an hour, where they boat's were viewed by the general public, we then went into Limerick Docks for berthing for the evening.

Shannon Development hosted a reception in the Clarion Hotel at 5.30pm to distinguised guests including the Deputy Mayor of Limerick, Cllr. Diarmid Scully; Kieran Lehane, city manager; Chief Executive of Shannon Development, Dr. Vincent Cunnane; and CEO of Shannon Foynes Port Company, Pat Keating.

During the speeches, it was stressed by all of the speakers, that the River Shannon should be utilised more for public leisure. A plan is at present being put together to enable this to come to fruition in the near future.

Commodore Tom Murray, thanked the organisers of Riverfest, which he said was a fantastic success for Limerick city, and he hoped it will continue to bring in tourists and much needed revenue to the city.

After the reception member's of the yacht club went to Dolan's Restaurant for dinner, and after fireworks celebrations took place on the river Shannon, where large crowds of spectators took up vantage points to see the display.

On Sunday the flotilla left Limerick Docks for the return journey to Cooleen Point, where a Bar-B-Que was held to round of the proceedings of the weekend.

The next major event in Foynes Yacht Club will be Commodore's Day, on Sunday, May 20 with racing for all classes, starting at 2pm. The annual blessing of all craft will take place after racing on the marina. All member's are asked to come to support this very special day of the year.