![Fresh winds and sunshine for day two at BMW Cruiser Nationals](/media/k2/items/cache/b1a22e6a49634070315d8da1b7214bde_L.jpg)
![Sunshine and frustration at BMW Cruiser Nationals' first day at Howth](/media/k2/items/cache/4a5a8365f458f500a3ea4af8d097458f_L.jpg)
![Howth Boasts Record Entry of 123 Boats for BMW Cruiser Nationals](/media/k2/items/cache/ca175a91700129f19b20631b9fd743ba_L.jpg)
![Ireland's Final Plea to Defend Commodore's Cup](/media/k2/items/cache/560222258d019da62423cd4f34fef0a8_L.jpg)
![Deadine Looms for ICRA Entry Discount](/media/k2/items/cache/cc0dcd73bdc4aea98c0e0248d6da91f7_L.jpg)
![Howth Prepares for Spring Series, Corby Cup and ICRA Nationals](/media/k2/items/cache/9a7db60100a10e62758ed5e42cfaa69f_L.jpg)
![Boats Line Up for British Trials But Irish Commodore's Cup Team Still Eagerly Awaited](/media/k2/items/cache/6b6bbbc9d29e68c16142c80423236c08_L.jpg)
Boats Line Up for British Trials But Irish Commodore's Cup Team Still Eagerly Awaited
4th April 2012 ICRA![Kinsale Corby 25 Will be the Boat to Beat at BMW Event](/media/k2/items/cache/cfb51d3140f9c51eb264d16020ffda89_L.jpg)
![Niche Quarter Ton Class Continues to Grow](/media/k2/items/cache/c8d8d7c15cffd4e888f401eccf44cee0_L.jpg)
![ICRA Hears Appeals for Greater Participation in Sailing](/media/k2/items/cache/ad78effbee15e399f233d839b49c9eea_L.jpg)
![Howth Plans Big Event for 2012 ICRA Nationals](/media/k2/items/cache/dfb96c7294f8c08902021fb8b7546af1_L.jpg)
![Storm Wins ICRA Boat of Year Award](/media/k2/items/cache/a057a2199197cca1a2f1db70016aeeb5_L.jpg)
![Offshore Fixture Clash to be Aired at ICRA Conference](/media/k2/items/cache/660776c067af8399e75ff54c47f38d7d_L.jpg)
![ICRA Announce Short List for Boat of the Year Award](/media/k2/items/cache/1a3b791703853e21a794c62ffd15d354_L.jpg)
![ICRA Sets a Course for Dun Laoghaire Conference](/media/k2/items/cache/bb0e49e2dc46c0cfb3df5932bc985032_L.jpg)
![ICRA Seek Team for Defence of 2012 Commodore's Cup](/media/k2/items/cache/4c6c5534de73d096e951ec322bcd71d8_L.jpg)
The creation of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) began in a very low key way in the autumn of 2002 with an exploratory meeting between Denis Kiely, Jim Donegan and Fintan Cairns in the Granville Hotel in Waterford, and the first conference was held in February 2003 in Kilkenny.
While numbers of cruiser-racers were large, their specific locations were widespread, but there was simply no denying the numerical strength and majority power of the Cork-Dublin axis. To get what was then a very novel concept up and running, this strength of numbers had to be acknowledged, and the first National Championship in 2003 reflected this, as it was staged in Howth.
ICRA was run by a dedicated group of volunteers each of whom brought their special talents to the organisation. Jim Donegan, the elder statesman, was so much more interested in the wellbeing of the new organisation than in personal advancement that he insisted on Fintan Cairns being the first Commodore, while the distinguished Cork sailor was more than content to be Vice Commodore.
Initially, the highlight of the ICRA season was the National Championship, which is essentially self-limiting, as it is restricted to boats which have or would be eligible for an IRC Rating. Boats not actually rated but eligible were catered for by ICRA’s ace number-cruncher Denis Kiely, who took Ireland’s long-established native rating system ECHO to new heights, thereby providing for extra entries which brought fleet numbers at most annual national championships to comfortably above the hundred mark, particularly at the height of the boom years.
YEAR | BOAT | SKIPPER | CLUB | BOAT MODEL |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Rockabill VI | Paul O'Higgins | Royal Irish Yacht Club | JPK1080 |
2017-2018 | Checkmate XV | Dave Cullen | Howth Yacht Club | Half Tonner |
2016 | Joker II | John Maybury | Royal Irish Yacht Club | J109 |
2015 | WOW | George Sisk | Royal Irish Yacht Club | Farr 42 |
2014 | Antix Catapult Quokka |
Anthony O'Leary Mark Glimcher Michael Boyd & Niall Dowling |
Ker 39 Ker 40+ Gand Soleil 43 |
|
2013 | Full Irish | David Kennefick | Royal Cork Yacht Club | Figaro 2 |
2012 | NUI Galway | Cathal Clarke & Matin Breen | NUI & Galway Bay Sailing Club | Reflex 38 |
2011 | Storm | Pat Kelly | Howth Yacht Club & Rush Sailing Club | J109 |
2010 | Antix Mariner's Cove Roxy 6 |
Anthony O'Leary Dave Dwyer Andrew Creigton |
Royal Cork Yacht Club | Ker 39 Mills 37 Corby 36 |
2009 | Kinetic | Richard Colwell & Tom Murphy | Howth Yacht Club | Corby 25 |
2008 | Mariner's Cove Rosie |
Dave Dwyer Roy Dickinson |
Royal Cork Yacht Club Howth Yacht Club |
Mills 37 Corby 36 |
2007 | Jump Juice | Conor Phelan | Royal Cork Yacht Club | Ker 37 |
2006 | Chieftain | Jer O'Rourke | RWYC | Cookson 50 |
2005 | Antix | Anthony O'Leary | Royal Cork Yacht Club | Corby 36 |
2004 | Voodoo Chile | Eamonn Crosbie |