Irish Sailing Former President Paddy O’Neill Dies

11th March 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Sailing stalwart – Patrick (Paddy) O’Neill, former president of the Irish Sailing Association, who has died after a short illness. He remained active in Dublin Bay sailing circles for decades Credit: Irish Sailing

Afloat.ie regrets to record the death of Patrick (Paddy) O’Neill, former president of the Irish Sailing Association, who passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, at Beaumont Hospital after a short illness.

O’Neill was widely known across the Irish sailing community and remained closely connected with several Dublin Bay clubs throughout his life.

He was a member of Malahide Yacht Club and Howth Yacht Club, and spent much time in recent years at the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire with family and friends.

Family members said he “remained deeply connected to sailing and the club community for many decades”.

He is survived by his wife Marie, sons Conor and Brian, daughter-in-law Nicola, and his grandchildren Nicholas, Charlie, Francesca and Juliane. He is also survived by his sister Rosemary and brothers Gerard and Barry.

O’Neill was pre-deceased by his sister Anne and brother-in-law Alan.

Reposing will take place at the Fanagan Kirwan Funeral Home, Fairview Strand, on Thursday (March 12) with family in attendance from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Requiem Mass will take place on Friday (March 13) at 12 noon in St Sylvester’s Church, Malahide, followed by burial in St Fintan’s Cemetery, Sutton. Details here

A full appreciation of Paddy O’Neill’s contribution to Irish sailing will appear on Afloat.ie in due course.

Published in Irish Sailing, Howth YC, In Memoriam

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.