Historic Boats
![The iconic former Galway-Aran Islands passenger/freight ferry, MV Naomh Éanna is now undergoing scrapping in Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock basin. The iconic former Galway-Aran Islands passenger/freight ferry, MV Naomh Éanna is now undergoing scrapping in Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock basin. A group of dedicated historians and maritime experts had worked tirelessly to save the veteran vessel which AFLOAT highlights was a rare surviving example of a vessel built in Ireland, at the Liffey Dockyard which was custom built for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE).](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000GAE6MFPuWbA/s/500/I0000GAE6MFPuWbA.jpg)
M.V. Naomh Éanna: Galway Icon's Sad End as Irreplaceable Piece of Irish Maritime History Faces Final Journey
18th August 2023 Historic Boats
A former Aran Islands passenger/freight ferry, M.V. Naomh Éanna, is one of the most famous Irish ships ever to serve the country will soon be completely gone as demolition of the veteran vessel is underway in Dublin. The riveted hulled…
![Job done. It is 1973, and the bad mor Mhaighdean Mara is heading back to Connemara from Kilronan in the Aran Islands, after discharging what is believed to have been the last sail-carried commercial cargo of turf for the islands Job done. It is 1973, and the bad mor Mhaighdean Mara is heading back to Connemara from Kilronan in the Aran Islands, after discharging what is believed to have been the last sail-carried commercial cargo of turf for the islands](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00000vSPqOSy51I/s/767/I00000vSPqOSy51I.jpg)
Kinvara’s Tradition-Celebrating Cruinnui na mBad Is Becoming Symbolic Of Change
16th August 2023 Galway Hookers
When the late Tony Moylan and his friends got together 44 years ago to inaugurate the Cruinnui na mBad at Kinvara in order to celebrate and help the preservation of the traditional sailing boats of Connemara and Galway Bay, most…
![An Norah Bheag, an Feichin and Báid Choil Beag competing at the 44th annual Cruinniú na mBád festival in Kinvara, Co Galway An Norah Bheag, an Feichin and Báid Choil Beag competing at the 44th annual Cruinniú na mBád festival in Kinvara, Co Galway](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000DtmJ.jRBuag/s/767/I0000DtmJ.jRBuag.jpg)
Tight Contest for Galway Hookers and Gleoiteogs at 44th Cruinniú na mBád in Kinvara
16th August 2023 Galway Hookers
Tight competition marked the 44th annual Cruinniú na mBád festival in Kinvara, Co Galway at the weekend. In spite of a dark and overcast day, the festival was a success on and off water, with An Norah taking the top…
![Only three races left in the Galway Hooker calendar.. these boatmen are heading to Kinvara, for Cruinniú na mBáid this weekend Only three races left in the Galway Hooker calendar.. these boatmen are heading to Kinvara, for Cruinniú na mBáid this weekend](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ZuOfPLcWnoQ/s/767/I0000ZuOfPLcWnoQ.jpg)
Cruinniú na mBád Gathering for the 44th Year Opens in Kinvara, Co Galway
11th August 2023 Galway Hookers
Kinvara’s annual Cruinniú na mBád takes to the water this weekend, with racing confined to Sunday due to weather conditions. A small craft warning for Saturday means the festival’s activity will be shore-based for the first day of the 44th…
![S.S.Sheildhall, the UK's biggest working steamship has among its Solent seasonal programme, passenger excursions for the start of Cowes Week aswell a cruise to watch the Fastnet Race. S.S.Sheildhall, the UK's biggest working steamship has among its Solent seasonal programme, passenger excursions for the start of Cowes Week aswell a cruise to watch the Fastnet Race. The former Glasgow-based sludge vessel dating to 1955 which served on the Clyde, is believed to be the largest working steam ship in Northern Europe, which is owned and operated entirely by voluntary effort. Above seen from the deck of Sheildhall at Southampton was newbuild Manxman, as Afloat previously reported calling to the English Channel port as part of its recent delivery voyage to the Isle of Man.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000r8ekWj8rA8U/s/500/I0000r8ekWj8rA8U.jpg)
Steamship S.S. Shieldhall's Solent Excursions to Mark Start of Cowes Week in Addition Cruise to Watch the Fastnet Race
19th July 2023 Historic Boats
The preserved English south coast based heritage steam-ship S.S. Shieldhall operated by Steamship Shieldhall Charity, will provide a wonderful viewing and photographic platform to witness the premier yacht racing events of Cowes Week and the Fastnet Race. Among the Southampton…
![Historic Irish vessel the AK Ilen departing the Port of Funchal, Madeira, as the Saoirse Centenary Rally draws to a close Historic Irish vessel the AK Ilen departing the Port of Funchal, Madeira, as the Saoirse Centenary Rally draws to a close](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00006pFmSychi.s/s/767/I00006pFmSychi.s.jpg)
Conor O'Brien 'Saoirse' Rally Hailed a Success as Fleet Prepare to Depart Madeira
17th July 2023 Conor O'Brien
The centenary international Irish sailing event called the ‘Saoirse Rally’ has come to a successful end on the 8th of July 2023 after a series of celebrations hosted in Funchal, Madeira by the Clube Naval de Funchal, Madeira Tourism Board…
![The transom of the Ballyholme Yacht Club Insect, Tarantula peeks out from her dry storage The transom of the Ballyholme Yacht Club Insect, Tarantula peeks out from her dry storage](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00009ZE6C83YTUo/s/767/I00009ZE6C83YTUo.jpg)
Insect Class Dinghy 'Tarantula' Turns Up in Larne, Co. Antrim and Seeks New Owner
14th July 2023 Historic Boats
The Ballyholme Yacht Club Insect class dinghy number 12 Tarantula has turned up in Larne in Co. Antrim. One of 17 built by French and McDermott in the early 1950s, this 14-foot clinker dinghy was owned by the late Mr…
![A hundred years down the line. Ilen leads the Conor O’Brien Centenary Parada Nautica at Funchal A hundred years down the line. Ilen leads the Conor O’Brien Centenary Parada Nautica at Funchal](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000HbATXWfIi34/s/767/I0000HbATXWfIi34.jpg)
Conor O’Brien Two Year Saoirse Circumnavigation Centenary Celebration Now Well Under Way
11th July 2023 Conor O'Brien
A hundred years ago on this day, Conor O’Brien of Limerick’s 42ft own-designed ketch - newly-built by Tom Moynihan of Baltimore with some of the West Cork shipwright’s small but very effective hull shape improvements - was well into a…
![Maritime folklorist Criostoir McCarthy Maritime folklorist Criostoir McCarthy](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00006lz7QQNFqio/s/767/I00006lz7QQNFqio.jpg)
Carrigaholt's Shannon Estuary Festival to Celebrate Links of Sea and Land
4th July 2023 Shannon Estuary
The naturally-sheltered and historic little port of Carrigaholt on the south shore of the Loop Head peninsula in far southwest County Clare is where sea and land and the outer Shannon Estuary colourfully interact to provide a unique sense and…
![](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00001U1.r5Nxdzc/s/767/I00001U1.r5Nxdzc.jpg)
In the buildup to the Centenary of Conor O'Brien's significant arrival with Saoirse at Funchal in Madeira next Monday (July 3rd), the restored 1926-vintage O'Brien-designed 56ft trading ketch Ilen, under the command of James Lyons of the Sailing Into Wellness…
![](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000mXb1g9yDmVo/s/767/I0000mXb1g9yDmVo.jpg)
The Howth 17s, on their Quasquicentennial (125th Anniversary) Cruise-in-Company in West Cork, are on target with their arrival this afternoon (Tuesday) from Schull at their furthest west port of Crookhaven. There, it was discovered that Billy O'Sullivan, second generation host…
![The eight-metre cruiser-racer Marian Maid is owned by George and Hal Sisk and Hal's son Owen and is competing in the 2023 Simply Blue Sovereign's Cup off Kinsale The eight-metre cruiser-racer Marian Maid is owned by George and Hal Sisk and Hal's son Owen and is competing in the 2023 Simply Blue Sovereign's Cup off Kinsale](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000CpTxY3WDFFU/s/767/I0000CpTxY3WDFFU.jpg)
Classic Yachts 'Marian Maid' and 'Lady Min' Turn Heads at Kinsale's Sovereign's Cup Regatta
22nd June 2023 Sovereign's Cup
Two classic Irish yachts are turning heads in the perfect sailing conditions of the first two days of racing at the Simply Blue Sovereign's Cup Regatta off Kinsale. The immaculately restored O'Keeffe family's gaff cutter Lady Min of 1902 vintage and the Sisk…
![](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000cBK0ZWLQmBo/s/767/I0000cBK0ZWLQmBo.jpg)
In July, a new classic boat/yacht parade is planned for Dun Laoghaire Harbour. This event is being arranged in association with Dun Laoghaire's Coastival Festival, a week-long series of events and activities that culminates in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.…
![The Grandnieces and Grand nephew of Conor O'Brien with their children onboard the restored Ilen that departed Dun Laoghaire for Madeira to celebrate the Centenary of Limerick man Conor O’Brien’s circumnavigation of the globe in June 1923 The Grandnieces and Grand nephew of Conor O'Brien with their children onboard the restored Ilen that departed Dun Laoghaire for Madeira to celebrate the Centenary of Limerick man Conor O’Brien’s circumnavigation of the globe in June 1923](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00005jFnYSZyBac/s/767/I00005jFnYSZyBac.jpg)
Ketch Ilen is Lead Vessel in Saoirse Rally to Celebrate Legendary Irish Sailor Conor O'Brien
20th June 2023 Conor O'Brien
An international Irish sailing event called the “Saoirse Rally” organised by the Irish Cruising Club, launched from Dun Laoghaire harbour, Co. Dublin, Ireland last Saturday, 17th June 2023, to commemorate the heroic achievements one hundred years ago of legendary Irish…
![Royal Cork Yacht Club's Cork Harbour One Design Jap was a star of the Crosshaven Traditional Sail 2023 Royal Cork Yacht Club's Cork Harbour One Design Jap was a star of the Crosshaven Traditional Sail 2023](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000hJLAE49zdSA/s/767/I0000hJLAE49zdSA.jpg)
The colourful three-day gathering at the Crosshaven Traditional Sail 2023 was the annual get-together of vintage boats of all shapes and sizes in Cork Harbour at the weekend. Boats arrived on Friday night at the Hugh Coveney Pier in Crosshaven…
![The Conor O’Brien/Saoirse Circumnavigation Centenary Celebrations get underway with the Ilen at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday, preparing for departure for Madeira The Conor O’Brien/Saoirse Circumnavigation Centenary Celebrations get underway with the Ilen at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday, preparing for departure for Madeira](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000xQIcavRBPWc/s/767/I0000xQIcavRBPWc.jpg)
Conor O’Brien Honoured With Ilen Dun Laoghaire Celebration For Saoirse Circumnavigation Centenary
18th June 2023 Ilen
The Commemoration of the Centenary of the pioneering global circumnavigation south of the Great Capes by Conor O’Brien of Foynes, sailing the 42ft ketch Saoirse between June 20th 1923 and June 20th 1925, was put underway yesterday (Saturday) from Dun…