198 sailors across four fleets for four days of sun-soaked racing deliver standout performances across all fleets at the 2025 Irish Optimist Nationals
Maeve Donagh (RStGYC/LDYC) has been crowned Irish Optimist National Champion after an impressive showing at the 2025 Optimist National Championships, hosted by Lough Ree Yacht Club. The event, under Race Officer Nigel Biggs, which brought together nearly 200 young sailors from across Ireland, was marked by champagne sailing, tight competition, and a strong sense of camaraderie with sailors from Ireland, the UK, France and Belgium aged from 7-15 years.
Over four days, sailors were treated to classic Lough Ree conditions—shifty, tactical, and demanding—requiring focus, consistency, and a bit of patience.
In the Senior Fleet, Maeve Donagh of RSGYC & LDYC stood out from the start. With four race wins and impressive consistency, she secured the Irish National title, leading an all-Donagh podium with sisters Emily Donagh in second and Lily Donagh in third.
Though Donagh took the national championship, the Senior Open title went to Lochlainn Hanley of French Club CVSQ, as well as host club LRYC, who also achieved four bullets across the eight-race series and held off the Donagh trio to claim overall line honours.
The Senior racing was tight throughout, with a shifting breeze keeping sailors on their toes and race wins spread across the fleet. The final leaderboard reflected not just skill but serious determination across all competitors. For the first time, the fleet collaborated with Trac Trac to install waterproof trackers on each boat, allowing sailors to review and learn from their races. This move was met with excitement amongst competitors and spectators alike, and you will soon see the 130 main fleet boats sailing their courses in real time.
Dylan O'Sullivan, winner of the Optimist Junior Fleet
In the Junior Fleet, Dylan O'Sullivan of RCYC secured the Irish Junior National title with a string of top finishes. He was closely followed by George Creighton and Louis Trickett, who each picked up race wins in a fleet where no lead was safe, and five different sailors got bullets across the series.
Racing was intense with 83 boats on the start, but our young sailors showed growing tactical maturity in the demanding hot and light conditions.
Regatta Fleets – Developing Talent on Display
The Regatta Fleets brought fantastic energy to the event. With 61 sailors split between the Racing Regatta and Coached fleets, this was where fun and learning took centre stage under the tutelage of Lead Coach Adam Walsh and his team of instructors. In the Racing Regatta Fleet, Willow Murray of SDC and HYC was the first Irish boat, with John Sheridan of WHSC and Ciaran Keating of RCYC close behind in the 10-race series.
Coached Regatta Sailors were awarded prizes as follows:
Best U7: Margot McCarthy (Parkstone Yacht Club)
Best U8: Edie Bruen ( RCYC)
Best U9: Heidi Murray (SDC and HYC)
Best U10: Jamie Scallan (Monkstown Bay SC)
Best U11: Dillon Rosenkowitz (Waterford Harbour SC)
Best local sailor: Thomas Mellett
Sportsmanship: Beatrice O Sullivan
Perserverance prize: Matthew Arthurs
Sisters Willow and Heidi Murray, Winners of Racing Regatta and Regatta Coached respectively
The fleet's enthusiasm and resilience were evident to see, especially with many tackling their first national event under the gentle coaching of Jenna Reid.
Looking Ahead – Kinsale Up Next
With Nationals now wrapped up, all eyes turn to the final regional of the year, taking place at Kinsale Yacht Club on September 13–14th. Entries are open now at iodai.com, and the early bird deadline closes this Friday.
