National 18s Return to Crosshaven for Irish and UK Championship

22nd July 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Fleet Focus – National 18s power downwind off Crosshaven as reigning Irish champions Howlin' Mad lead a 19-boat fleet into the combined Irish and UK Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club Credit: Bob Bateman

The National 18 class returns to its spiritual home at the Royal Cork Yacht Club this weekend when 19 boats contest the combined Irish and UK National Championships from Friday 24 to Monday 27 July.

Fresh from lifting the weather-affected Irish National Championship earlier last month, Alex Barry's Howlin' Mad will head the home challenge after a dominant display in Cork Harbour, making the reigning Irish champions the boat to beat once again.

The championship has attracted entries from Ireland, England and Scotland, with racing scheduled over four days and up to 12 races if conditions allow. Organisers have planned as many as three races each day, beginning with a competitor briefing on Friday morning before the opening warning signal at 11:55.

Royal Cork Yacht Club has a long association with the National 18 class, having hosted championships in various forms since the 1950s, and class president Colin Chapman says competitors can expect "a superb regatta with a large and competitive fleet".

National 18 UK and Ireland 2026 Championship Schedule

Date	First Warning	Races Planned	Notes
Friday 24 July	11:55	Up to 3	Competitor briefing at 10:00. Championship racing begins.
Saturday 25 July	11:55	Up to 3	Championship racing.
Sunday 26 July	11:55	Up to 3	Championship racing.
Monday 27 July	10:55	Up to 3	Championship racing followed by prize-giving.

National 18 UK and Ireland 2026 Championship Entry List

Sail No.	Boat	Helm
402	Puss 'n Boots	Richard Lester
404	The Bunty	Mark O'Donovan
405	The Right Job	Ronan Kennelly
406	Pink Panther	Dave Kenefick
407	Howlin' Mad	Alex Barry
409	Shuck'em	Kieran Dwyer
410	Total Chaos	Clive O'Shea
414	Honey Badger	Adam McCarthy
416	3 Crowns	Johnny Durcan
418	Satoshi	Stewart Hosford
422	Slingshot	Andrew Woodward
423	Blacklist	Rory Fitzpatrick
424	Ace	Oliver Houseman
425	Shotgunn	Mike Wilson
426	Ball 'n Chain	Davey O'Connell
427	Nacho Boat	Charles Dwyer
428	Peaky Blinders	Nick Walsh
430	Misfits	Stephen O'Shaughnessy
431	Aquadisiacs	Colin Chapman

Published in National 18

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National 18

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