David Cullen Elected Irish Sailing President 2026

29th March 2026

Afloat.ie Team

New Helm: David Cullen elected Irish Sailing President at Lough Ree AGM, bringing offshore racing pedigree and business leadership to guide the national body through key organisational changes Credit: Irish Sailing

David Cullen has been elected President of Irish Sailing following the organisation’s Annual General Meeting at Lough Ree Yacht Club.

He will serve a three-year term from 2026 to 2029, succeeding Sue Concannon.

As Afloat reported earlier in March, he is a member of Howth Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Cullen brings extensive sailing and professional experience to the role.

He began sailing in Kilbarrack Sailing Club in the Optimist class. He progressed through Mirrors and Lasers before moving into offshore racing at a young age.

Cullen has competed at national and international level. His record includes ISORA campaigns, the Round Ireland Race, the Fastnet Race and Cowes Week, where he was part of an overall winning team.

He has also competed in three Commodores’ Cup campaigns. He continues to race actively, most recently aboard the First 50 Checkmate XX.

Cullen was a former Commodore of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA).

Professionally, Cullen is Managing Director of Euro Car Parks Ireland and a Chartered Surveyor. He has also contributed as a media commentator on transport and infrastructure.

Irish Sailing said it “looks forward to David’s leadership over the coming years”, including overseeing key developments such as the introduction of a new Member Management System outlined at the AGM.

The organisation congratulated Cullen on his appointment and wished him success in the role.

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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.