Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

The daily news from Ukraine is upsetting and harrowing but we can’t truly know what it must be like to work there. Strangford Lough Yacht Club member David McIlveen who sails the Hydro 28 Rampart, is an award-winning camera operator…

In common with many other organisations Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland put a call out for donations for the Ukrainian Aid Appeal and it turned out the response was overwhelming. In the end there were…

The latest in the RYA’s Spotlight series puts the focus on Quoile Yacht Club as the Northern Ireland club tries to broaden its appeal beyond traditional events like its Spring Series. “As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, events around…

On a glorious 1st March and after two years of restrictions Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough held their Pancake Tuesday get together again, welcoming a big crowd to a ‘catch up’. Marina manager Kevin Baird was delighted to see so…

The boating community and those who treasured the maritime heritage of County Fermanagh’s Lough Erne learned with shock last weekend of the sudden death of Fred Ternan. Fred was a true son of Fermanagh. He was born on Inniscoonra Island…

RYA Northern Ireland’s four-year strategy from 2017 to 2021 had helped give direction to the organisation, particularly following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through which it was extended. Consultation with clubs, centres and groups for a renewed strategy started in 2020…

Volunteers at Newcastle RNLI rescued a swimmer who got into difficulty in rough seas close to the Co Down harbour this morning (Wednesday 2 March). Two volunteers and three visiting staff members were working at the lifeboat station when shortly…

The UK Government's has made good on its promise to make a positive change to the application of Returned Goods Relief (RGR) for recreational craft resulting in many boat owners no longer becoming liable to pay VAT on the return…

In this post lockdown era, there are so many events on offer that sailors keen to compete in the big competitions are spoilt for choice, and this has never been so true as with the Sigma 33 class this season.…

Ballyholme Yacht Club in Bangor on Belfast Lough is the host club for this year’s Irish National Youth Sailing Championships from 21st until 24th April. The cream of youth and junior sailors from across Ireland will compete in the Laser/ILCA…

The Eric Twiname Junior Championships is back after a two-year absence – and entries are now open. The RYA’s iconic “battle of the regions” pits young sailors from across the country against each other, representing their RYA Region or Home…

There’s a great buzz of woodworking activity in the Belleek Men’s Shed and on West Island in County Fermanagh. But this is no ordinary woodworking – this is the building of traditional Lough Erne Cots. The Cot was originally a…

The RNLI is looking for new shop volunteers to join its lifesaving team at Donaghadee RNLI in Co Down — and stations across the island of Ireland. Just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s retail team need a dedicated volunteer…

Fishing crews and sand barges on Lough Neagh were stranded for a number of days recently after faulty sensors caused water levels to drop below the statutory minimum, as BelfastLive reports. Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure blamed a software update…

Safer Waters is a unique service in Northern Ireland, established in 2020 to provide a Safety Boat service for water-based community events. The service is there to support events such as Sailing, Swimming, Paddle Boarding and Windsurfing that have no…

The Vikings first invaded Ireland in 795 AD when they beached on Lambay Island near Dublin. Records show that the monastery at Nendrum on Strangford Lough and one at Downpatrick in south County Down were attacked early in the ninth…