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Nominees Announced for 2024 Irish Sailing Awards

13th February 2025
Class of 2024 (From top left): Neil Murphy of Howth is Sailor of the Month (Admin) for December; Tom Dolan of National YC is
Class of 2024 (From top left): Neil Murphy of Howth is Sailor of the Month (Admin) for December; Tom Dolan of National YC is "Sailor of the Month (International Solo)" for June; Jamie McMahon & UCD Dinghy Squad are "Sailors of the Month (Intervarsity Dinghies)" for March; Will Byrne of the National YC Is "Sailor of the Month (International" for November); Rob Dickson and Sean Waddilove are "Sailors of the Month (Olympics) for August; Johnny Treanor of the National YC is "Sailor of the Month (Regatta)" for July; Fergal Noonan of Howth is "Sailor of the Month (Cruise/Racer)" for November; Steve Morris and Seol Sionna are "Sailors of the Month (Voyaging)" for July; Simon Coveney of Crosshaven is "Sailor of the Month (Offshore)" for July; Robert Espey and Mike Ferguson of Ballyholme are October Sailors of the Month (Inshore Racing); Mark Lyttle of the National YC is February "Sailor of the Month (International); Dun Laoghaire's Clementine van Steenberge and Jessica Riordan are Sailors of the Month (Junior) For April; Nick Kats of Clifden is "Sailor of the Month (Voyaging)" for October; Chris Power Smith of Royal St George YC is "Sailor of the Month (Offshore)" for May; Michael Tyrrell of Dun Laoghaire is Sailor of the Month (Services to Sailing) For November; Laura Dillon is "Sailor of the Month (Offshore)" for June; Colm Bermingham of Howth is "Sailor of the Month (Inshore)) For May; Royal Cork's Admiral Annamarie Fegan & Nieulargo crew are Sailors of the Month (Inshore) for April; The Shanahan Family (National YC) Are "Sailors of the Month (Offshore)" for September; Colin Leonard of Strangford Lough and Ballyholme is "Sailor of the Month (International & Cruising)" for February; Eddie Totterdell of Dun Laoghaire is Sailor of the Month (Services to Sailing) for December; Sean Craig of Dun Laoghaire is "Sailor of the Month (Dinghies) For August; James Dwyer of Royal Cork YC is "Sailor of the Month (Cruise/Racer)" for November; Eve McMahon of Howth is "Sailor of the Month (Dinghies)" for July; Baltimore Sailing Club are Sailors of the Month (Team Racing) for October; John Murphy & Neil Spain of Howth are "Sailors of the Month (Regatta) for August; Rose Michael is March 2024 Sailor of the Month; Cora McNaughton Of Blessington & Isha Duggan Of Royal Cork YC Are "Sailors of the Month (Junior)" For September; Sienna Wright Of Howth YC is “Sailor of the Month (Junior International)” for January; Ed Wheeler of County Down is Afloat.ie "Sailor of the Month (Voyaging & Services to Sailing)" for February; Pete Smyth of Royal Irish YC in Dun Laoghaire is "Sailor of the Month (Round Ireland)" For June; Finn Lynch Of National YC is "Sailor of the Month (Olympic)" for January; Micheal O'Suillebhain & University College Cork are "Sailors of the Month (Intervarsity Keelboats)" for March; Howth's Simon Knowles is Sailor of the Month (Offshore) for April; All-Ireland Headcase Crew "Sailors of the Month (International)" for June; Nigel Biggs and Dave Cullen (HYC) are "Sailors of the Month (Corinthian)" for September; Gordon Patterson & Ross Nolan of Cultra are "Sailors of the Month (Inshore Keelboats)" for October; Mark Bolger of Baltimore and Amir Anwar-Hameed of Bray are "Sailors of the Month (Ocean Rowing)" for January

The nominees have been announced for the annual Irish Sailing Awards, which will take place on Friday, 28 February, in 1 WML venue in Windmill Lane, Dublin. The Awards recognise exceptional sailing talent representing Ireland at home and on the international stage, as well as showcasing the clubs, volunteers and training centres that are setting standards in leadership, training and innovation.

The highlight of the evening will be the prestigious Irish Sailor of the Year Award, which will be chosen from a wide pool of nominees representing all aspects of sailing. As Afloat has previously reported, the Irish Sailor of the Year nominees are:

  • Mark Bolger, Baltimore & Amir Anwar-Hameed, Bray, Ocean Rowing
  • Finn Lynch, National Yacht Club & Irish Sailing Senior Team
  • Sienna Wright, Howth Yacht Club
  • Colin Leonard, Strangford Lough & Ballyholme Yacht Club
  • Ed Wheeler, Co. Down
  • Mark Lyttle, National Yacht Club
  • Andy Thompson, East Antrim Boat Club
  • Jamie McMahon & UCD Dinghy Squad
  • Micheal O’Suillebhain & UCC
  • Rose Michael, RNLI Fundraiser
  • Annamarie Fagan & Nieulargo, Royal Cork Yacht Club
  • Simon Knowles, Howth Yacht Club
  • Clementine van Steenberge & Jessica Riordan, National Yacht Club & Royal St George Yacht Club
  • Colm Bermingham, Howth Yacht Club
  • Joan Sheffile, Katherine Sheehan & Catherine Day, Royal Irish Yacht Club
  • Chris Power, Royal St George Yacht Club
  • Headcase Crew
  • Laura Dillon, Howth Yacht Club
  • Pete Smyth, Royal Irish Yacht Club
  • Tom Dolan, National Yacht Club
  • Eve McMahon, Howth Yacht Club, Irish Sailing Senior Team
  • Simon Coveney, Royal Cork Yacht Club
  • Johnny Treanor, National Yacht Club
  • Steve Morris & Seol Sionna
  • Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove, Howth Yacht Club, Skerries Yacht Club & Irish Sailing Senior Team
  • Sean Craig, Royal St George Yacht Club
  • John Murphy & Neil Spain, Howth Yacht Club
  • Tom Dolan, National Yacht Club
  • John Murphy & Outrajeous, Howth Yacht Club
  • Nigel Biggs & Dave Cullen, Howth Yacht Club
  • The Shanahan Family, National Yacht Club
  • Cora McNaughton & Isha Duggan, Royal Cork Yacht Club & Blessington Sailing Club
  • Robert Espey & Mike Ferguson, Ballyholme Yacht Club
  • Nick Kats, Clifden
  • Baltimore Sailing Club
  • Gordon Patterson & Ross Nolan, Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
  • James Dwyer, Royal Cork Yacht Club
  • Fergal Noonan, Howth Yacht Club
  • Will Byrne, National Yacht Club
  • Michael Tyrrell, Royal Irish Yacht Club
  • Eddie Totterdell, Dublin Bay Sailing Club
  • Neil Murphy, Howth Yacht Club

The 2024 Irish Sailing Awards will take place in 1 WML, Windmill Lane, Dublin 2The 2024 Irish Sailing Awards will take place in 1 WML, Windmill Lane, Dublin 2

Three new awards

This year sees three new Awards representing the ever-evolving nature of our sports, including School or University of the Year – an expansion on last year’s schools’ category to include third level institutions, Event of the Year celebrating some of our wonderful sailing events around the country and Team of the Year.

For our 2024 awards we are delighted to welcome aboard some new naming sponsors and partners, including The Irish Sailing Foundation who will be sponsoring the Youth Sailor of the Year, a nod to the hard work the Irish Sailing Foundation do in funding and supporting our young athletes in their journeys to international competition. Dubarry Clothing will be sponsoring Team of the Year, a new category that will highlight the immense work and teamwork that goes into sailing at all levels whilst Irish Sailing’s kit bag partner McWilliam will present the Event of the Year which includes strong nominations in the form of Howth Yacht Club’s WAVE Regatta, Mayo Mayhem – an international windsurfing event and The Irish Team Racing Nationals, Team Racing has seen exponential growth in recent years, particularly amongst the younger demographic. Volunteer of the Year, a hugely popular award that commends the work and time freely given by members of our sailing community, will be presented by the RNLI.

As always, the range of talent is impressive with the annual battle for Irish Sailor of the Year including Olympians Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove, Offshore giant Tom Dolan, John Murphy and Outrajeous – Howth Yacht Club’s Boat of the Year and former Minister Simon Coveney.

There are six sailors nominated in the Youth Sailor category including Gemma Brady of Lough Derg Yacht Club, who is the current female Topper World Champion, under 17 World Champion Sienna Wright of Howth Yacht Club, Leo Doherty of Sligo Yacht Club who was Topper National Champion in 2024 and fourth in Topper Worlds, Ava Ennis of the Royal St George Yacht Club, Conor Cronin also of the Royal St George Yacht Club and Malahide Yacht Club and ILCA sailor Lucy Ives of Carlingford Sailing Club.

The Irish Sailing Woman on the Water Award, now its second year, boasts three nominees, all of whom continue to inspire and promote Irish sailing on domestic and international platforms.

Tim Bourke, CEO of Irish Sailing, said, “2024 was another outstanding year for Irish Sailing, on the National and International stages. The wealth of experience and achievements displayed throughout these nominations illustrate the breadth of talent within our great sport and represents years of dedication, innovation and incredible levels of skill. We are particularly looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our youth sailors who continue to punch well above their weight on the international stage as well as acknowledging the hard, important work done by Clubs, Training Centres, instructors, coaches and volunteers throughout the country.”

The Awards will be hosted by regular compere Justin Cullen of Skerries Sailing Club and international sports announcer and presenter Joanne Murphy.

You can view the full list of categories and nominees for the Irish Sailing Awards below.

The Irish Sailing Awards are an annual event hosted by Irish Sailing. This year’s event will take place in 1 WML, Windmill Lane, Dublin 2.

The Categories and Nominations for 2024 are as follows:

The Irish Sailing Foundation Youth Sailor of the Year

  • Sienna, Wright, Howth Yacht Club
  • Leo O’Doherty, Sligo Yacht Club
  • Gemma Brady, Lough Derg Yacht Club
  • Ava Ennis, Royal Saint George Yacht Club
  • Conor Cronin, RStGYC, Malahide Yacht Club
  • Lucy Ives, Carlingford Sailing Club, Royal Saint George Yacht Club

Irish Sailing Cruising Award

  • Jim Corbett, Royal Cork Yacht Club
  • Alain Lane, Galway Bay Sailing Club
  • Sue Kavanagh, Howth Yacht Club

Irish Sailing Club of the Year

  • Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dublin
  • Skerries Sailing Club, Co. Dublin
  • Glandore Harbour Yacht Club, Co. Cork
  • Cullaun Sailing Club, Co. Clare

The Dubarry Team of the Year

  • Dickson & Waddilove, Team Ireland Men’s Skiff, Howth Yacht Club & Skerries Sailing Club
  • KinSailor, Kinsale Yacht Club
  • Headcase, Lough Ree Yacht Club, Royal Cork Yacht Club, Baltimore Yacht Club

The McWilliam Event of the Year

  • WAVE Regatta, Howth Yacht Club
  • Irish Team Racing Nationals, Baltimore Sailing Club
  • Mayo Mayhem, Irish Windsurfing Association, Achill

Irish Sailing Training Centre of the Year

  • Blessington Sailing Centre, Co. Wicklow
  • The Oysterhaven Centre, Co. Cork
  • Rathmullen Sailing & Watersports, Co. Donegal
  • Lough Ree Yacht Club, Co. Westmeath

Irish Sailing Class of the Year

  • Water Wags
  • ILCA Ireland
  • 420

Irish Sailing Volunteer of the Year presented by the RNLI

  • Oisin Cullen, National Yacht Club & Irish Match Racing Association
  • Nicola Harris, Waterford Harbour Sailing Club
  • Brian Raftery, Sligo Yacht Club
  • Robert White, Lough Derg Yacht Club

Irish Sailing University / School of the Year

  • Technical University, Dublin
  • University College Cork
  • Summerhill College, Co. Sligo

Irish Sailing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award

  • Donal Hickey, Kinsailability
  • Aideen Doran, Howth Yacht Club Sailability
  • Damian McCoy, Galway Sea Scouts
  • Duncan Lyster & Rosemary Cadogan, Dun Laoghaire
  • Harry O’Hanlon & Team, Kinsale OEC
  • Irish Sailing Senior Instructor of the Year
  • Emma Lynch, Royal Saint George Yacht Club
  • Mary McCormack, Foynes Yacht Club
  • Francesca Lewis, Kinsale Yacht Club

Woman on the Water Award

  • Nicole Hemeryck, National Yacht Club
  • Clodagh O’Donovan, Royal Cork Yacht Club
  • Katie McAnena, Donegal

Irish Sailing President’s Award

This is a special award in recognition of outstanding achievement Irish sailing.

Published in Irish Sailing
Published in Irish Sailing
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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.

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