Robert Hume, the Admiral of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, has authored a comprehensive history of the club, with invaluable contributions from many others.
The 180-page hardback book is richly illustrated and covers the club's beginnings and development from 1818 until 2022. The club is located on the western shore of Belfast Lough at Cultra, approximately six miles from Belfast.
Cultra means 'the back of the strand' and was the end of a long beach that extended from Belfast to Cultra.
Robert Hume, the Admiral of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club with copies of his new book that offers a comprehensive history of the Club Photo: Lindsay Nolan
The book details the story of the small harbour that Hugh Kennedy of the Manor House built, followed by the establishment of 'The Northern Yacht Club' in 1824 by a group of gentlemen led by John McCracken, a passionate yachtsman and brother of Henry Joy McCracken of the Society of United Irishmen.
The history covers the rise and temporary fall of yachting at the venue, the blossoming of sailing at Cultra with the formation of the Ulster Canoe Club in 1892, and the Cultra Sailing Club in 1894.
The 1902 Fairy class still racing at Royal North today Photo courtesy: RNIYC
The various name changes are detailed, including the formation of the North of Ireland Yacht Club in 1899 and its subsequent grant of the Royal Warrant by King Edward VII in 1902, leading to the club's current name.
The book also provides insights into every class of boat sailed at RNIYC and the influential families involved, such as Lord Dufferin, Workman, Inglis, Corry, and Dunville. The club wasn't just about yachting, however. It also hosted motoring events and tennis. During the Edwardian era, the club encouraged lawn tennis and other social activities and played a pioneering role in the development of motorsport in Ireland with timed automobile trials.
A Motor meeting and competition in front of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club in 1908 Photo courtesy: RNIYC
At the book launch, Admiral Robert Hume spoke about his sailing life, which started at age five with his father, Norman in his Dragon Poseidon. Robert is still sailing and currently shares the Fairy class boat, Minx, with his son Jamie. He thanked his wife Maureen, and everyone who helped with the book, especially for putting up with all the boxes and papers scattered throughout their house while he completed his research.
The book can be purchased by emailing [email protected], priced at £40.
Author Admiral Robert Hume and Mrs. Maureen Hume at the Launch of the history of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Photo: Lindsay Nolan
