#shannonestuary – First won in 1832 by the Knight of Glin, the coveted Rinevella plate has become a much sought after prize amongst the sailing community on the West Coast of Ireland and its pride of place remains at the Co Limerick castle.

Hand crafted from Limerick silver, the plate depicts the many historic elements associated with maritime traditions on the Shannon Estuary and right up the west coast.

The Rinevella Plate which resides on the Dining Room Sideboard at Glin Castle today was won by the then Knight of Glin at the Galway Regatta when the family commissioned the unique piece for a once off regatta.

Given to the then Galway Yacht club as prize for the winner, the winning boat owner staked their claim on the piece as the family sought to increase interest and participation on Irish waterways.

Adrian O'Connell, racing captain at Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland says that the piece and its relevance is steeped in history.

From an archive, Mr O'Connell notes that "On the Shannon Estuary with the Knight of Glin's encouragement the numbers of commercial local sailing trading vessels were growing apace, with the establishment of towns and sea going trade along the Estuary. It soon became an established fact of life during the summer months, that interested groups decided to organise at each small port, regattas for all the types of craft to be found on the Estuary.

Limerick yachts and sailors he said, accounted for almost a quarter of the club's membership and with prizes like the Rinevella Plate up for grabs, interest, like in the mid 1800s, is growing again.

Crewed by Martin MacNamara, Thomas Whelan, Andrew Carey, Charlie Glynn and Diarmuid Whelan, the 2013 winners said they were honoured to take the title amongst stiff competition.

In the modern era, interest in the waterways is experiencing somewhat of a resurgence as more take to the water. Clubs in the region are noting an increase in membership.

Despite only having the plate in their possession for a few short hours, winners leave the West coast club in Kilrush with the honour of adding their names to a long list that is almost 180 years old.

Like many years before, the Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland hosted the October series to determine the winner of the priceless Plate cast in Limerick silver and the competition lived up to its history.

 

This coming weekend an action-packed programme of events will take place at Foynes Yacht Club

On Saturday, the Glin Castle race will take place, and on Sunday the Cappa race is also pencilled in the the sailing schedule (weather permitting).
The Glin Castle race is an annual event between the hosts, the Royal Western Yacht Club in Kilrush, and Foynes Yacht Club, and this is one of the highlights on the Shannon Estuary's sailing calendar, where it has been raced for quite a considerable amount of years between the two clubs.
The Knight of Glin, Desmond FitzGerald and his family are 'very much in favour' of this event being raced for the forseeable future.
This race will start at Glin Pier with first gun at 11am. The boats will race east to different 'marks' laid on the estuary, and back up to Glin Pier, which will be the finish line.
After the race a prizegiving ceremony will be hosted by the Knight and his family in Glin Castle, this will take place at 5pm approximately.
On Sunday, the Cappa race is scheduled to take place with first gun at 11am from Cooleen Point. Again, this is an annual event for the Cappa Cup, prizegiving will take place after racing in the Galleon Inn, Cappa.
On Sunday last 5 Yachts and 2 Mermaids from Foynes Yacht Club sailed east of Cooleen Point for the annual Cannon Island Mass at 3pm. This Mass was said at 5pm in the ruins of the old Franciscian Abbey, where the public of Kildysart converge on the Clare Island. 5 yachts 2 mermaids
Club racing continues every Wednesday evening with first gun at 7pm sharp. Skippers and crew are asked to be at the marina at 6pm. Please note that buoyancy aids have to be worn by all members.