Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Such has been the upswing in enthusiasm for Fireball sailing that despite completing the full suite of scheduled events for 2023, there was a significant view that a further event would be well received. Fortunately, Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club…

For the second year in a row, East Antrim Boat Club top crewman Andy Thompson hit the sailing headlines by winning a major Fireball dinghy title with ace UK helmsman Tom Gillard.  In 2022, Gillard and Thompson scooped the world…

Current Fireball World and European Champions, Tom Gillard, and Andy Thompson of Larne in Country Antrim will defend their World title in Geelong, Australia, next year. "We have several Irish competitors entered, and after a strong showing by the Irish…

Tom Gillard and Andy Thompson of Larne in Northern Ireland have won the Fireball European Championship at Portroz, Slovenia. The pair scored three bullets during the final day of racing in spectacular conditions with winds typically around 18 knots but…

After five races sailed at the Fireball European Championships in Portroz, Slovenia – and three sailed today – Vince Horey and Dave Wade UK are on equal points with event leaders Claude and Ruedi (Sui). Tim Gillard and Andy Thompson…

Two Irish boats are lying in the top ten overall in the 70-boat Fireball European Championship at Portroz in Slovenia. Josh Porter and Cara McDowell are lying 7th overall and Adrian Lee and Ossian Geraghty are in 10th place. Claude…

As boats rigged for the first day of the joint Fireball and 420 National Championships at WHSC Dunmore East a weather system was approaching faster than most forecasts predicted. At a briefing with race officer Michael Conway the Fireball and…

On a weekend when all DBSC races were cancelled due to lack of wind and Fastnet Race yachts were pummelled by gales and strong winds, Killaloe Sailing Club managed to run an extremely successful Fireball Munsters in tandem with the…

An inaugural joint event will see the Fireball Munster Championship and International 420 Leinster Championships 2023 come together on the waters of lower Lough Derg. Over 30 double-handed performance dinghies, including Fireballs and International 420s, are expected from July 22…

Fireballs enjoyed spectacular sailing at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta over the last three days. Sixteen Fireballs entered the event, and only injury and family commitments prevented a full turnout. Especially impressive was the number of youth teams competing, and…

With four wins from six races sailed, Josh Porter and Cara McDowell lead the Fireball class by six clear points into the final two races of the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta on Sunday. Second place in the 13-boat fleet is held…

Sixteen Fireball dinghies are lined up to compete in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta this long weekend. While keelboats take to the water on Thursday, the dinghy series kicks off on Friday around trapezoid courses at Salthill. The relatively large…

Ed Óg Butler and Sean Collins are the new Fireball dinghy Leinster champions after five races in often exciting conditions at Skerries SC last weekend. Racing took place over Saturday and Sunday as part of the Skerries annual two-day regatta,…

In July, a new classic boat/yacht parade is planned for Dun Laoghaire Harbour. This event is being arranged in association with Dun Laoghaire's Coastival Festival, a week-long series of events and activities that culminates in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.…

Fireballs enjoyed a fantastic two days of racing during their Ulster Championship at Newtownards SC at the weekend. Day one proved light as per forecast, but the wind steadily improved throughout the afternoon. The first race took place in quite…

Last weekend saw a hybrid Fireball Open Weekend hosted by the DMYC. This year instead of a two-day racing event, the class decided to experiment with a blended event combining coaching and racing writes Frank Miller. The coaching took place…