ILCA Ireland has announced its 2026 calendar (see full calendar below), featuring a variety of upcoming sailing events in a year where Ireland hosts the ILCA World Championships, a highlight of the entire Irish sailing calendar.

The Irish Nationals have been rescheduled to July 24-26 to align with the Senior ILCA World Championships, which will be held on Dublin Bay and serve as a highlight of the Irish sailing year.

"We believe there are some excellent sea venues to follow up after the two early events at (more sheltered) Baltimore and Larne," Sean Craig, Chairman of ILCA Ireland, told Afloat.

There is an immediate return to the same northern venue because, as Craig explains, "East Antrim Boat Club did a great job in 2025 and attracted the largest Ulster turnout for many years."

"Perhaps the most obvious change is that we must bring our Nationals forward significantly to July 24-26, and we chose Dun Laoghaire to be part of the build-up to Ireland's largest and most prestigious Senior ILCA World Championships since 2001," Craig stated.

"We also prefer not to hold events in the first half of August due to the ILCA 4 Youth Worlds and ILCA 6 Youth Worlds, both taking place in Denmark in successive weeks. We are committed to avoiding clashes so that our best sailors can always compete in Ireland," he added. "Overall, we are very pleased with the race management at our 2025 events and grateful to our host clubs and key race officials. We are also set to work again in 2026 with the same excellent race officers, such as Con Murphy, Michael Conway, Richard Doig, Neil Murphy, and Ciaran McSweeney," Craig said.

"Furthermore, we are proud to have delivered On-the-water Judging at all our events. We aim for fair domestic racing for everyone and want our top sailors prepared for international competitions, where costly penalties under Rule 42 can spoil a series. We had strong support from experienced judges like Derek Moynan, Ailbe Millerick, and Dennis Todd," he remarked.

The 2025 season was a challenging act to follow, with four regional Championships, a well-attended Masters Nationals, and the conclusion of 130 boats at Ballyholme Nationals and 92 boats at the End of Season event at Crosshaven. There were also eleven one-day Sprint Series regattas in Munster and Leinster, and rumours suggest Ulster may host its own edition of this popular format next year. ILCA Ireland will also repeat its successful "Road to the Nationals" coaching programme, aimed especially at smaller ILCA fleets and centres.

In 2025, this programme included training events at seven different clubs, culminating in a three-day Pre-Nationals Clinic that attracted thirty boats.

ILCA IRELAND 2026 CALENDAR

Apr 04–05 — Munster Championships — Baltimore SC
Apr 09–12 — Irish Sailing Youth Nationals — Ballyholme YC
May 09–10 — Ulster Championships — East Antrim BC
May 23–24 — Masters National Championships — Howth YC
Jun 27–28 — Leinster Championships — Skerries SC
Jul 24–26 — National Championships — Royal St. George YC
Sep 11–12 — End of Season Championships — Waterford Hrbr. YC

2026 ILCA World Championships

Men ILCA 7: Aug 23 – Aug 30
Women ILCA 6: Sep 04 – Sep 12
Royal St. George Yacht Club & National Yacht Club (Dublin Bay)