Killaloe Sailing Club is preparing for one of its biggest championship weekends to date, with more than 60 boats and 120 sailors expected for the 2026 RS Irish National Championships on Lough Derg from Friday, 21 August to Sunday, 23 August.
The RS400, RS200 and RS Feva fleets will share the Co Clare venue for three days of racing, with crews travelling from across Ireland.
Nine races are scheduled, with three planned each day and provision for an additional race if required. Racing will take place on the broad waters of southern Lough Derg immediately outside the club, with windward-leeward and trapezoid course configurations available to the race team.
RS Fleet Returns to Killaloe
The championship continues a long-standing relationship between Killaloe and the RS classes. The club previously hosted RS events in 2018, 2022, 2023 and 2024, including Inland and Southern Championships.
The 2023 RS Inlands attracted 33 boats across three classes despite difficult conditions associated with the tail end of Hurricane Lee, while the RS200 and RS400 fleets returned for the 2024 Southern Championships.
Killaloe has also expanded its wider championship programme in recent seasons, hosting Fireball and 420 racing, the 2024 GP14 Munster Championships and the 2025 ILCA Western Championships, when 50 ILCAs completed a six-race series.
Championship base: The dinghy park at Killaloe Sailing Club during the 2025 ILCA Western Championships on Lough Derg. Photo: Killaloe Sailing Club
The RS Nationals represent another opportunity for the club to establish Lough Derg as a regular venue for major regional and national dinghy championships.
Facilities for Larger Championships
Killaloe SC formally opened its redeveloped clubhouse and facilities in 2023 following a six-year development programme. The project provided modern changing and shower facilities, a new clubhouse and social area, covered training space, an expanded boat shed, additional parking and an enlarged dinghy park.
Club gathering: Competitors assemble outside Killaloe Sailing Club’s redeveloped clubhouse during a previous championship event on Lough Derg. Photo: Killaloe Sailing Club
Competitors can launch from the sheltered club site before quickly reaching the open waters of southern Lough Derg, giving race management scope to position courses according to the prevailing conditions.
Camping and campervan pitches are available at the club for the RS Nationals, with limited electrical hook-up available for an additional charge.
A championship barbecue is planned for Saturday evening, with advance booking required, while breakfast baps will be available at the clubhouse during the weekend. Killaloe and neighbouring Ballina also provide restaurants, cafés, pubs and accommodation within a short distance of the championship venue.
Improved Road Access to Lough Derg
Access for travelling competitors has also improved following the opening of the Killaloe Bypass and Brian Boru Bridge across the River Shannon. The sailing club is approximately 15 minutes from Junction 27 at Birdhill on the M7, an important consideration for competitors towing dinghies, RIBs and double-stack trailers or travelling with campervans.
Easier access: The new Killaloe Bypass and Shannon crossing have significantly improved access to Killaloe and Lough Derg, with Killaloe Sailing Club around 15 minutes from the M7 at Birdhill. Photo: Clare County Council
For Killaloe Sailing Club, the championship will test its redeveloped facilities, volunteer organisation and substantial freshwater race area as it seeks to attract further major dinghy events.
The combination of RS400, RS200 and RS Feva racing will also bring senior and youth competitors together at the same championship venue.
The RS Irish National Championships 2026 take place at Killaloe Sailing Club from 21-23 August.
