Irish Optimist 2026 Sailing Calendar Released with Key Dates

4th November 2025

Afloat.ie Team

The Irish Optimist 2026 sailing season includes major regattas and squad training across Ballyholme, Howth, RCYC and more. Credit: Dan Clohessy

The Irish Optimist dinghy class has released its 2026 sailing season schedule, outlining a mix of regattas, training camps, and championship events across the country.

The calendar kicks off with the Sprint Series in February and March. This comprises three single-day events designed specifically for experienced main fleet sailors engaged in winter training.

The Irish Sailing Youth Nationals are set to take place from 9–12 April at Ballyholme Yacht Club. This event is by invitation only and will serve as a key date for youth performance assessment.

Over the May Bank Holiday (2–4 May), Lough Ree Yacht Club will host training for both Junior and Senior Development Squads. A parallel under-12 training session will also run at the same venue for U12 squad sailors.

The Ulster Championships will follow on 16–17 May at Strangford Lough Yacht Club, open to all competitors.

Waterford Harbour Sailing Club will host the Munsters on 13–14 June, followed by the Leinsters at Howth Yacht Club from 18–19 July.

The National Team Racing Championships are set for 12 August at Royal Cork Yacht Club, immediately followed by the National Championships from 13–16 August, also at RCYC.

The season concludes with the Connacht Championships at Galway Bay Sailing Club on 12–13 September.

More details, including the Sprint Series venues, are expected in the coming weeks.

2026 IODAI Calendar

Sprint Series – February–March: 3 single-day events. Details to follow. (Suitable for seasoned main fleet sailors in winter programmes only)
Irish Sailing Youth Nationals, Ballyholme Yacht Club – 9–12 April (Invite only)
Junior and Senior Development Squads Training, Lough Ree Yacht Club – 2–4 May Bank Holiday (Squads only)
U12 Training, Lough Ree Yacht Club – 2–4 May (Bank Holiday) (Squad only)
Ulsters, Strangford Lough Yacht Club – 16–17 May (Open)
Munsters, Waterford Harbour Sailing Club – 13–14 June (Open)
Leinsters, Howth Yacht Club – 18–19 July (Open)
National Team Racing Champs, Royal Cork Yacht Club – 12 August (Open)
National Championships, RCYC – 13–16 August (Open)
Connachts, GBSC – 12–13 September (Open)

Published in Optimist, Northern Ireland Waters

Published in Optimist

Tagged under

Optimist

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

You might also want to read...

2026 IODAI Optimist Calendar

Sprint Series – February–March: 3 single-day events. Details to follow. (Suitable for seasoned main fleet sailors in winter programmes only)
Irish Sailing Youth Nationals, Ballyholme Yacht Club – 9–12 April (Invite only)
Junior and Senior Development Squads Training, Lough Ree Yacht Club – 2–4 May Bank Holiday (Squads only)
U12 Training, Lough Ree Yacht Club – 2–4 May (Bank Holiday) (Squad only)
Ulsters, Strangford Lough Yacht Club – 16–17 May (Open)
Munsters, Waterford Harbour Sailing Club – 13–14 June (Open)
Leinsters, Howth Yacht Club – 18–19 July (Open)
=National Team Racing Champs, Royal Cork Yacht Club – 12 August (Open)
National Championships, RCYC – 13–16 August (Open)
Connachts, GBSC – 12–13 September (Open)