The IDRA 14 Northern Championships returned to Carlingford Lough Yacht Club on the northern shore at Killowen in County Down on 30th-31st May, attracting a fleet of 12 boats - the largest entry to date at this venue - and a significant increase on previous years.
The event marked another chapter in a long-standing relationship between the IDRA 14 Class and Carlingford Lough Yacht Club, with the class having travelled to Killowen for the June Bank Holiday weekend for over 30 years.
GYBING CHALLENGE
Saturday's racing consisted of three windward-leeward races, and though forecasts suggested a modest 6 knots of breeze, competitors were greeted with much stronger conditions of 12–18 knots. The shifting winds tested crews throughout the day, with several boats caught out by sudden gusts and a few spectacular capsizes during gybes.
As the fleet settled into the day’s racing, competition intensified, resulting in a general recall before the third race as sailors pushed hard for every advantage on the start line. One of the most notable entries was 14/27 Cathaire, sailed by Frank and Nuala O'Gorman. She was built in 1947, just one year after the formation of the IDRA 14 Class, and was returning to competitive sailing after spending more than a decade ashore.
Frank & Nuala O’Gorman’s immaculately restored veteran Cathaire (Clontarf Y&BC). Photo: Tom Farrelly
79 YEARS YOUNG
At 79 years young, Cathaire proved she was still capable of mixing it with the fleet. At the younger end of the fleet, meanwhile, was the 1995-built 14/163 Chance, sailed by Philip Hackett and new sailor Maeve McMillan.
At the end of the opening day, 14/128 Dr JP Frog, sailed by Ryan Cairns and Finn O'Doherty of Howth Yacht Club, held the overnight lead. However, with two races scheduled for Sunday, which introduced a discard to the series, including the traditional Killowen to Warrenpoint Race, the Championship remained wide open.
LIGHTER CONDITIONS
Sunday brought lighter conditions of 6–10 knots, although the breeze on the Lough remained characteristically shifty, occasionally reaching the mid-teens. In the opening race, 14/30 Chloe, sailed by youth members Dan Kinlay and Hannah McCloskey, led the fleet to and around the windward mark.
With their spinnaker flying, they piled pressure on the chasing pack and demonstrated the strength of the class's emerging talent. Mid-fleet competition remained just as intense as the battle at the front of the fleet, with plenty of lively racing and no shortage of calls of "Starboard!" echoing across Carlingford Lough.
Positions changed regularly throughout the series as crews capitalised on shifts, gusts, tactical and sometimes some questionable decisions! By the end of the weekend, many boats were separated by only a handful of points, underlining the depth of competition and ensuring that every race and every position counted towards the final standings. The Warrenpoint Race saw the IDRA 14 fleet join the local Carlingford Lough Yacht Club fleet, starting five minutes behind them.
UNIQUE CLASS RULES
Unique class rules govern the awarding of the Connradh Prionnsias Trophy, with boats that have finished in the top three of any previous race during the championship ineligible for the prize. The 2025 Connradh Prionnsias Trophy was won by 14/126 Smurfette, sailed by Charles Sargent and his grandson Riain Fleming.
Reflecting on a successful weekend, IDRA 14 Class Commodore Orla Doogue said: "I am delighted to see so many boats at this event, including. The record number of entries really highlights the revival of the class as it starts to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026."
The fjord-like Carlingford Lough provides its own special challenges. Photo: Tom Farrelly
With competitive racing, challenging conditions and strong participation throughout the fleet, the Northern Championships once again proved to be a highlight of the annual IDRA 14 sailing calendar, with five different clubs represented in the top six places. For more information on the IDRA 14 Class, please check out the Class Website www.idra14.ie
