Everyone thought that while the Volvo Round Ireland Race 2018 from Wicklow was one of the most interesting and unusual ever staged in the race’s 38-year history, it was assumed that no record had been broken writes W M Nixon. But that’s maybe not so. Darryl Hughes’ 43ft gaff ketch Maybird, originally built by Tyrrell’s of Arklow in 1937 and restored with the owner as Project Manager in a superb two-year job concluded in 2011, has finally got back to Wicklow in a time of nine days and 22 hours.
"Maybird finally got back to Wicklow in a time of nine days and 22 hours"
While she went well with the brisk fair winds of the first day, thereafter Maybird was frustrated at every turn. Calms stopped her, and headwinds held her back. At one stage, she did only 25 miles in 24 hours. But they never gave up, and she has been welcomed back to Wicklow with full honours, the race completed in compliance with the rules. Is it a record for the slowest Round Ireland Race ever? Maybe. Probably. But whatever it is, their dogged persistence has deserved much celebration, and it is certainly receiving it.