Kilrush's Sally O'Keeffe Flies The Traditional Flag For Ireland In Brittany

15th July 2024

We're here!" The 25ft Sally O'Keeffe of Kilrush arrives in Brest in West Brittany on Friday evening (July 12th) for the Brest-Douarnenez Festivals after voyaging from the Shannon Estuary via Baltimore and the Isles of Scilly Credit: Jean Francois

The 25ft community-built Shannon hooker Sally O'Keeffe of Querrin and Kilrush in County Clare has successfully completed three long open sea passages to join the huge traditional fleets taking part in the current Festivals of Sail & the Sea at Brest and Douarnenez in Western Brittany.

Sally's Kilrush boat-builder and crew leader Steve Morris reports an enjoyable sail from Baltimore in West Cork, though they did think it prudent to take an overnight stop at the handy cove of Porthcressa on the south side of Hughtown in the Isles of Scilly "to let a little weather go through".

Sally O'Keeffe in "overnight at anchor" mode in the useful alternative anchorage of Porthcressa on the south side of Hughtown on St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly. Photo: Steve MorrisA thoughtful Enda McDonagh at the helm as Sally departs the Isles of Scilly for the 90-mile passage to Brest. Photo: Steve Morris

FAIR WIND

They went into full "overnight at anchor mode", with Sally's long bowsprit retracted in a neighbourly gesture to nearby boats, and the special tent tautened over the mainboom. The cross-channel passage to western Brittany was then made in mostly grey weather, though with a favourable north to nor'east wind. But as they closed on the Breton coast last Friday evening (July 12th), the weather was clearing, and they were sailing in bright sunshine when fortuitously met by friend Jean Francois and his wife of L'Aber'wrach, sailing their 22ft Francois Vivier design round the coast to the festival.

"Not so much as a hint of land to be seen". Aboard Sally O'Keeffe well offshore, but making good if grey progress from the Isles of Scilly to Brest. Photo: Seol Sionna

"Bienvenu!" Sally O'Keeffe find sunshine, smooth water and a warm welcome in the approaches to Brest. Photo: Jean Francois

In all, there seem to be just six Irish boats taking part, including three Gleoiteogs from the Galway Hooker Sailing Club with thirty members present. But the total fleet is so huge, with France's 42-metre barquentine flagship La Recouvrance leading spectacular sail-pasts in the Rade de Brest, that all other ensigns are overwhelmed by the universality of La France's tricolore.

Savouring the smells of the land – Sally in the Gulet heading for Brest. Photo: Jean Francois

However, Sally O'Keeffe's voyaging crew of Steve Morris, Peter Ranalow, James Devane, Enda McDonagh and Niamh McGivney are doing their best for the Banner County, and hope to continue through increased number, with reinforcements flying out to join them for the Brest - Douarnenez stage.

GENEROUS WELCOME

Meanwhile in Brest they've swept away by the generosity of the welcome, with berthing and any accommodation arrangements provided free of charge if you arrive with a traditional-style boat, and Sally O'Keeffe passes that test with flying colours.

The 42-metre barquentine La Recouvrance is one of several classic French flagships available to lead a traditional fleet in style

Published in Historic Boats

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Sally O'Keeffe

About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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