Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

RBC Brewin Dolphin proudly supporting Afloat and Irish Boating

How to Sail. Learn Basics through lessons, schools and tutorials
Bay Story — Passengers gather aboard a Dublin Boat Tour RIB in Dún Laoghaire ahead of a special Bloomsday cruise tracing James Joyce landmarks around Dublin Bay and the River Liffey.
James Joyce's Dublin will be explored from a different angle this Bloomsday with two special boat tours around Dublin Bay and the River Liffey. Dublin Boat Tour, operating from the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School in Dún Laoghaire, has…
Next Generation — Sea Cadets and volunteers gather aboard HMS Belfast during The Big Help Out 2026, highlighting youth development, volunteering and the preservation of maritime heritage.
Eighty Sea Cadets stepped aboard HMS Belfast in London for The Big Help Out, taking part in a day of learning and creativity with volunteers from Imperial War Museums (IWM). Hands-On History: Cadets took part in interactive activities aboard HMS…
Foil Fever — Dublin Bay will host its inaugural Foil Festival on 19 and 20 June, bringing international stars including Bjorn Dunkerbeck together with Irish riders for two days of racing, speed challenges and demonstrations.
International foiling stars and Irish riders will gather in Dublin Bay later this month for the inaugural Dublin Bay Foil Festival. The two-day event takes place at Salthill on 19 and 20 June and will feature a mix of competition,…
Rescue Ready — Senior Crewman Colm Hillary of Rescue 116 briefs Kerry lifeguards beside the Irish Coast Guard helicopter during induction training at Ballyheigue, highlighting search and rescue procedures ahead of the summer season.
Forty-two Kerry lifeguards completed their annual induction at Ballyheigue Community Centre ahead of the busy summer bathing season. The training programme brought together lifeguards from across the county, with some already on duty at Kerry beaches over the Bank Holiday…
Race Ready — Crew members aboard Spirit of Shackleton prepare the Clipper 70 offshore racer during training ahead of the 2026 Round Ireland Yacht Race campaign
Four bursary places are being offered to young people to race aboard the Clipper 70 yacht Spirit of Shackleton in next month’s Round Ireland Yacht Race. The initiative is backed by the Atlantic Youth Trust and led by skipper Enda…
Harbour Watch — Promotional poster for the INSS and WPSC 24-Hour Sailathon fundraiser in aid of the RNLI, taking place at Dún Laoghaire's West Pier from May 29-30.
The Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School (INSS) and West Pier Sailing Club (WSPC) will host a 24-hour Sailathon later this month in aid of the RNLI. The event will take place at the INSS clubhouse on Dún Laoghaire’s West…
Career Course — The MCA’s new Yacht Unlimited Certificate of Competency creates a direct progression route for deck officers seeking Chief Mate and Master qualifications on large yachts over 3,000 gross tonnes.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has launched a new qualification pathway for deck officers working on large yachts. The new Yacht Unlimited Certificate of Competency (CoC) allows holders to serve as Chief Mate or Master on yachts of any…
Ocean Classroom – The Spirit of Shackleton youth development yacht ahead of its official launch by President Catherine Connolly at Dún Laoghaire Harbour Plaza on May 15. Credit: Atlantic Shackleton
President Catherine Connolly has been invited to mark the official launch of the new youth development yacht, Spirit of Shackleton, in Dún Laoghaire harbour this Friday (May 15). The event at Dún Laoghaire Harbour plaza is hosted by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown…
“Stroke
What goes round, come round. Way back in 1972 we were doing a very leisurely family cruise with a Galion 22 in West Cork (small family then), and went in company with Dermod Kennedy and his ketch Richard of Baltimore…
“Bay
The Danish sail training tall ship Georg Stage has anchored in Dublin Bay, bringing what its operators describe as the “world’s oldest” sail training tradition to Irish waters. The Class A tall ship is operated by the Georg Stage Memorial…
Brush With Nature: Michael Cosgrove of Loughs Agency and a pupil from Knockavoe School, Strabane, launch the Ripple Effect Project on Earth Day, encouraging artwork focused on Atlantic salmon and healthy waterways
Loughs Agency has launched a schools art competition to promote awareness of Atlantic salmon and waterway health. The initiative marks World Earth Day and forms part of its Ripple Effect Project. Students are invited to create artwork showing a thriving…
Classic Passage – The tall ship Ilen sails under cream canvas on open water, reflecting the traditional seamanship and adventure offered on Sail Training Ireland voyages.
Sail Training Ireland has announced limited availability on a series of spring voyages across Irish waters, targeting young people and adults. The programme includes a Youth Adventure Voyage for 14–17-year-olds aboard the tall ship Maybe, sailing from Belfast to Dublin…
Workshop Visit — Jerry Murphy (Deputy CEO of Pobal), Kieran Moylan (Principal Officer at Department of Rural and Community Development), Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Margaret McDonnell, Minister Jerry Buttimer and Seamus O’Brien (Boat Builder Trainer) at work in the Meitheal Mara workshop in Cork.
Department of Rural and Community Development has opened a new call for applications under the Community Services Programme (CSP). The announcement was made by Jerry Buttimer in Cork on 30 March 2026 at the Meitheal Mara boatyard and workshop. The programme…
“Ocean
A new Irish maritime initiative inspired by explorer Ernest Shackleton will be launched in Dún Laoghaire Harbour this May. The Atlantic Shackleton Global Foundation has announced the official launch of the Spirit of Shackleton at Dún Laoghaire Plaza on 15…
Hands-On Rescue: Galway RNLI crew guide University of Galway medical students through casualty care drills at sea, highlighting real-world challenges of emergency response in offshore conditions
Volunteer crew at Galway RNLI have taken part in a joint training exercise with medical students from the University of Galway. Ten foundation year students joined the session at the lifeboat station last week. The exercise followed an earlier visit…
Glide And Go: Airfloat’s EirGlide modular drive-up dock at Dun Laoghaire Harbour lets boats, RIBs and jet skis drive on and reverse off, helping maximise time on the water this boating season.
Keep your boat ready for use and eliminate costs with a drive-up dock! With the boating season literally just around the corner, now is the time to think about how to maximise your boating time this summer! Airfloat's EirGlide is designed…