Historic Boats
![Currach crews from all over Ireland competed for the 2023 Three Island Challenge off Skerries , Dublin . The race for Irish traditional boats saw teams rowing their currachaí a 7 km kilometer circuit around the three islands off the coast of the North Co. Dublin town (Colt Island, St. Patrick's Island and Shenick Island), before returning to shore to claim the 'East Coast Currach Rowing Championship Perpetual Cup'. Photo shows Brothers Ronan, Simon and Michael O’ Domhnaill from Gweedore Co Donegal who won the Three Island challenge in Skerries celebrate after landing with their Trophy Currach crews from all over Ireland competed for the 2023 Three Island Challenge off Skerries , Dublin . The race for Irish traditional boats saw teams rowing their currachaí a 7 km kilometer circuit around the three islands off the coast of the North Co. Dublin town (Colt Island, St. Patrick's Island and Shenick Island), before returning to shore to claim the 'East Coast Currach Rowing Championship Perpetual Cup'. Photo shows Brothers Ronan, Simon and Michael O’ Domhnaill from Gweedore Co Donegal who won the Three Island challenge in Skerries celebrate after landing with their Trophy](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000t05zzsYDijQ/s/767/I0000t05zzsYDijQ.jpg)
A team of three Donegal brothers have won the Three Island currach rowing challenge in Skerries, Co Dublin, this weekend. Simon, Ronan and Michael O Dómhnaill from Gaoth Dobhair had won the race for traditional currachs in 2021, and were…
![The ketch Ilen alongside the Royal Irish Yacht Club at an Irish Cruising Club/Royal Cruising Club gathering to mark the beginning of celebrations of the centenary of Conor O'Brien's departure in Saoirse from Dun Laoghaire Harbour The ketch Ilen alongside the Royal Irish Yacht Club at an Irish Cruising Club/Royal Cruising Club gathering to mark the beginning of celebrations of the centenary of Conor O'Brien's departure in Saoirse from Dun Laoghaire Harbour](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000RCet5BBmYOY/s/767/I0000RCet5BBmYOY.jpg)
Ilen Departure from Dun Laoghaire Harbour Marks Start of Conor O'Brien’s Saoirse Centenary Celebrations
18th June 2023 Historic Boats
The Royal Irish Yacht Club was the focus on Saturday afternoon for the beginning of celebrations of the centenary of Conor O'Brien's departure in Saoirse from Dun Laoghaire Harbour on his pioneering global circumnavigation. An Irish Cruising Club/Royal Cruising Club gathering was hosted…
![“A mystery to himself as to everyone else” – pioneering global circumnavigator Conor O’Brien of Foynes as portrayed by his wife Kitty Clausen “A mystery to himself as to everyone else” – pioneering global circumnavigator Conor O’Brien of Foynes as portrayed by his wife Kitty Clausen](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ake7xRcqxV8/s/767/I0000ake7xRcqxV8.jpg)
Conor O'Brien’s Saoirse Departure Centenary Underlines Dun Laoghaire’s Central Role
17th June 2023 W M Nixon
A hundred years ago next Tuesday, June 20th, Conor O'Brien (1880-1952) of Foynes took his departure with some fanfare aboard his 42ft Saoirse from the harbour her skipper preferred to call Dunleary, though most of its citizens saw it as…
![Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan at the Dunleary Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan at the Dunleary](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ipqfPIS9rR8/s/767/I0000ipqfPIS9rR8.jpg)
Dunleary Lifeboat Restoration Project Visited by Minister of State Noonan
14th June 2023 Historic Boats
Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan has visited the former lifeboat named Dunleary, which is the focus of a refit project in its home harbour. The Watson-class lifeboat was stationed at what was formerly Kingstown, Co Dublin, from December…
![The National Museum of the Royal Navy in the UK are thrilled to announce that Belfast based HMS Caroline has been awarded among the ‘Flagships of the Year 2023’ status by the UK’s National Historic Ships annual awards announced on the prestigious venue of the above former British Royal Yacht, Britannia, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s floating palace which is on permanent display to visitors at Leith Docks, outside Edinburgh. The National Museum of the Royal Navy in the UK are thrilled to announce that Belfast based HMS Caroline has been awarded among the ‘Flagships of the Year 2023’ status by the UK’s National Historic Ships annual awards announced on the prestigious venue of the above former British Royal Yacht, Britannia, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s floating palace which is on permanent display to visitors at Leith Docks, outside Edinburgh. In this Coronation year, the Britannia which is an iconic National Historic Fleet vessel itself, also in 2023 the former Royal family yacht celebrates two notable anniversaries, 70 years since its building and 25 years of operation as a heritage site which is a must-see as well as to an evening events venue which has been voted ‘Best UK Attraction’ by Which magazine readers.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00002lbD4JTBuA4/s/500/I00002lbD4JTBuA4.jpg)
National Historic Ships UK Announce Its 'Flagships of the Year' for 2023 Among them HMS Caroline
13th June 2023 Historic Boats
National Historic Ships UK, the official voice for historic vessels has today appointed six vessels from around the UK to act as its 'Flagships of the Year' for 2023 and ‘fly the flag’ for maritime heritage. The 2023 Flagships of…
![From Mayo to Maine. The Dublin Bay 24 Zephyra – retrieved from seclusion in a castle yard in Mayo – in process of re-birth at Rockland in Maine From Mayo to Maine. The Dublin Bay 24 Zephyra – retrieved from seclusion in a castle yard in Mayo – in process of re-birth at Rockland in Maine](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000bdl.EUrwGIA/s/767/I0000bdl.EUrwGIA.jpg)
Dublin Bay’s Definitive One Designs Provide Ideal Projects For International Boat-Building Schools
13th June 2023 Historic Boats
The recent spell of hyper-sunny weather was a reminder of the time we stumbled upon the “lost” Dublin Bay 24 Zephyra while searching for shade to walk our little dog around the back of a castle in Mayo. The elegant…
![Currachs and Galway hookers will compete, on Sunday, June 11th at Féile an Spidéil Currachs and Galway hookers will compete, on Sunday, June 11th at Féile an Spidéil](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000OHYRvXidbEU/s/767/I0000OHYRvXidbEU.jpg)
Gentle to moderate south-westerly winds are forecast for this weekend’s Feile an Spidéil. Many currachs crews and a fleet of Galway hookers will take to the water off An Spidéil, Co Galway, with conditions particularly suitable for the hooker fleet.…
![Baltimore in the sunshine, and the re-born Saoirse (Fred Kinmonth) is the focus of the Woodenboat Festival 2023 with a salute from two generations of timber craft - the bermudan sloop Curlew, and Brian Marten’s 1890s vintage Guillemot Baltimore in the sunshine, and the re-born Saoirse (Fred Kinmonth) is the focus of the Woodenboat Festival 2023 with a salute from two generations of timber craft - the bermudan sloop Curlew, and Brian Marten’s 1890s vintage Guillemot](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000xBo7yQEDHYQ/s/767/I0000xBo7yQEDHYQ.jpg)
Re-Born 'Saoirse' Stars With 'Ilen' And Many Others In Baltimore Woodenboat Festival
2nd June 2023 Historic Boats
With just three weeks to go to the Centenary of the departure from Ireland on June 20th 1923 of Conor O’Brien’s world-girdling 42ft Baltimore-built ketch Saoirse, the public debut of the re-born Saoirse (Fred Kinmonth) at last weekend’s Baltimore Wooden…
![A former Mersey ferry, Royal Daffodil, subject to an application to planners, is to be transformed into a mixed use venue to attract visitors in Liverpool A former Mersey ferry, Royal Daffodil, subject to an application to planners, is to be transformed into a mixed use venue to attract visitors in Liverpool’s Canning Dock.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000QoqgxZ8.obI/s/500/I0000QoqgxZ8.obI.jpg)
Former Mersey Ferry to Be Transformed for Event Space Awaits Planning Approval
1st June 2023 Historic Boats
A plan to transform a historic former River Mersey ferry which is to attract visitors with a food, drink and events space, is to go to planners next week with the recommendation for approval. The ferry originally named Overchurch, and which…
![He came, he saw, he conquered. Aongus Ó Cualáin with the Asgard Trophy in Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club in Dublin Port last Saturday night He came, he saw, he conquered. Aongus Ó Cualáin with the Asgard Trophy in Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club in Dublin Port last Saturday night](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000O48XHs0d0dw/s/635/I0000O48XHs0d0dw.jpg)
Aongus Ó Cualáin of Connemara is Afloat.ie “Sailor of the Month” for May
1st June 2023 Sailor of the Month
Those of us who have found it challenging enough to get a sailing dinghy with a purpose-designed road trailer into a road-ready and race-ready condition was in awe this week of the achievements of Aongus Ó Cualáin of Connemara and his…
![The iconic turbine steamer, TS Queen Mary was moved from a berth at the Glasgow Science Centre on the Clyde to Govan Graving Docks, where the historic vessel will undergo the first phase of a year-long major restoration and repair project, The iconic turbine steamer, TS Queen Mary was moved from a berth at the Glasgow Science Centre on the Clyde to Govan Graving Docks, where the historic vessel will undergo the first phase of a year-long major restoration and repair project, which will bring the steamer back into active service. The project is be undertaken and project managed by Marine Projects Scotland Ltd, who have been appointed by the Friends of the TS Queen Mary](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000SrVMtMWO71U/s/500/I0000SrVMtMWO71U.jpg)
Scottish Turbine Steamer Project Awarded £1m Contract to Revive Iconic TS Queen Mary
29th May 2023 Historic Boats
A restoration project of the iconic turbine steamer, TS Queen Mary at Govan Graving Docks is set to generate new jobs on the Clyde. The TS Queen Mary on Friday was moved from its current berth at Glasgow Science Centre…
![Aongus Ó Cualáin's Gleoiteog-Mor Blát na hÓige at the Poolbeg lighthouse on her way to overall victory in the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association Diamond Jubilee celebration Asgard Race on the River Liffey Aongus Ó Cualáin's Gleoiteog-Mor Blát na hÓige at the Poolbeg lighthouse on her way to overall victory in the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association Diamond Jubilee celebration Asgard Race on the River Liffey](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00005LY.igkXOAM/s/767/I00005LY.igkXOAM.jpg)
Galway Hooker 'Blát na hÓige' is Asgard Trophy Race Winner at Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Diamond Jubilee
29th May 2023 Dublin Bay Old Gaffers
It was well worth the significant logistical effort of skipper Aongus Ó Cualáin to transport his Galway Hooker Blát na hÓige from Connemara to Dublin's River Liffey by road last week as the 1896-built traditional vessel won first prize in Saturday's…
![Currachs and Galway hookers will compete, on Sunday, June 11th at Féile an Spidéil Currachs and Galway hookers will compete, on Sunday, June 11th at Féile an Spidéil](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000OHYRvXidbEU/s/767/I0000OHYRvXidbEU.jpg)
Currachs and Galway hookers will take to the water off An Spidéil, Co Galway, on Sunday, June 11th for Féile an Spidéil. Kerry, Clare and Donegal teams have travelled to the event in past years to join crews from across…
![The restored Galway Hooker 'Meaircín Joe' returned to the water last week, marking what has been described as “a significant milestone in preserving Ireland's rich maritime heritage” The restored Galway Hooker 'Meaircín Joe' returned to the water last week, marking what has been described as “a significant milestone in preserving Ireland's rich maritime heritage”](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ITqcAa14IH8/s/767/I0000ITqcAa14IH8.jpg)
A restored Galway Hooker has been named after two south Connemara brothers who built the vessel originally. The Meaircín Joe returned to the water last week, marking what has been described as “a significant milestone in preserving Ireland's rich maritime…
![A Galway hooker sails by during An Tóstal Currach Racing Festival in Salthill, Galway A Galway hooker sails by during An Tóstal Currach Racing Festival in Salthill, Galway](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000yinOtxNnuDo/s/767/I0000yinOtxNnuDo.jpg)
The organisers of Tóstal na Gaillimhe in Galway’s Salthill say the revived event earlier this month was so successful that they intend to invite more traditional Irish rowing clubs and teams from home and abroad next year. A “tight” senior…
![Preserving maritime tradition at Baltimore in West Cork Preserving maritime tradition at Baltimore in West Cork](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000vZTg00AmtL8/s/767/I0000vZTg00AmtL8.jpg)
Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival Says Conor O'Brien Could Be the Focus for Developing Maritime Education
24th May 2023 Tom MacSweeney
Wooden boats will dominate Baltimore Harbour this weekend when the West Cork village welcomes back the annual gathering of traditional vessels. Like many other events the Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival, which had been held annually for seventeen years from 2002,…