McWilliam Bags Announced as Official Supplier to Irish Sailing

12th July 2024

ILCA 7 Paris representative Finn Lynch with his McWilliam Sailing Bag

Irish Sailing and McWilliam Bags have today announced a partnership that will see McWilliam, a leading provider of high-quality bags, as the official kit bag supplier for the Irish Sailing Team in the upcoming season. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for Irish firm McWilliam, enhancing its commitment to supporting Irish athletes and promoting excellence in the sport of sailing.

The Irish Sailing team includes Paris-bound Olympians and World Champion sailors Finn Lynch, Robert Dickson, Sean Waddilove and Eve McMahon.

Each iconic, stylish and durable McWilliam bag is handmade, to the same exacting standards, near Crosshaven, Co. Cork. The brand is deeply aligned with sailing, having its roots in sailmaking and this will be the first time McWilliam is sponsoring its national team, a major milestone as the brand continues its rapid growth trajectory in the sports and leisure market.

The McWilliam high-quality sailing bag

James O’Callaghan, Director of High Performance at Irish Sailing said, “McWilliam Bags are a fine example of homegrown ambition driving success. We look forward to working closely with their team over the long term as they share our journey.”

McWilliam bags are known as an essential piece of kit that’s earned its reputation by living up to its promise in the most challenging of conditions – the sea.

“We are thrilled to be chosen as the official bag supplier for the Irish Sailing Team,” said Claire Morgan, Director at McWilliam Bags. “As an Irish brand, it is an honour to provide them with the best possible gear as they represent our country on the global stage. We are proud to play a part in their voyage towards excellence.”

With its rich history in sailing, and sailmaking in particular, Irish Sailing athletes can take comfort that that their gear will be in the best possible hands. Any journey worth taking is worth taking with a McWilliam bag. The sponsorship will continue throughout 2024 culminating in the Irish Sailing Awards.

Published in ISA

Tagged under

Irish Sailing

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

You might also want to read...

Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.