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Dublin Bay Old Gaffers
Viking axes and Bronze Age spearheads are among the items found, along with vessel remains, after a hydrographic survey of Lough Corrib in which Underwater Archaeologist Karl Brady was involved
Although the beautiful Lough Corrib is one of the most important features of County Galway and has played a key role in the life and transport in the West since time immemorial, it is not connected to Ireland's main inland…
Viking axes and Bronze Age spearheads are among the items found, along with vessel remains, after a hydrographic survey of Lough Corrib in which Underwater Archaeologist Karl Brady was involved
Logboats and craft dating from 2,500 BC to the 11th century on Galway’s Corrib is the theme of a lecture by State archaeologist Karl Brady to the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers' Association later this month. Brady is a senior archaeologist…
The Crosshaven Lifeboat crew members with the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association on the ketch Ilen off Kinsale at the weekend are (left to right) Kline Pennefeather, Sandra Farrell, Darryl Hughes, Phil Maguire & Conor Barry
There is now only one branch of the international Old Gaffers Association in all Ireland. But though it draws in its membership from every county, it continues to be known as the DBOGA, for it seems that the Dublin Bay…
Onboard Brian Boru - Pictured left/right, Matthew O’Doherty, Sam Lawry, Michael Doherty, Heather Mannix, Sacha Forde, Thomas Dodd, Ryan Sharp, and Luke Nelson with First Mate Hugh Byrne, on board the Brian Ború tall ship, in Cork as part of the Cork Sail Training Bursary scheme in 2022
Sail training enthusiasts and maritime history buffs are in for a treat in Dublin this March. Hugh Byrne, a renowned sailor and expert, will deliver an illustrated lecture on "the Sail Training Vessel Brian Boru" at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat…
The late and much-lamented Johnny Wedick in a thoughtful mood – behind his often jovial demeanour, his busy brain usually had several projects on the go at differing stages of development
The news of the death of Johnny Wedick at the age of 78 came as a devastating hammer blow to everyone who had the good fortune to know him. Devoted family man, businessman, sailor and proud Ringsender, Johnny was best…
RNLI Lifeboats Howth and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit receiving the fantastic funds raised by the All in a Row Liffey Challenge 2023 at Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club
Dubliners came together early last December for the All In A Row Liffey Challenge, with the aim of raising funds for RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit. The challenge for the rowers and paddlers was to…
At sea level, the majestic granite construction of Dun Laoghaire Harbour blends so well with the many of the older buildings on the town's waterfront and its coastal surroundings that, after 200 years and more of its existence, many folk…
The fascinating and often heart-warming story of Dublin Bay's lifeboats
The indefatigable maritime polymath Cormac Lowth is among the first back into presentation mode in 2024, with the fascinating and often heart-warming story of Dublin Bay's lifeboats told - and very well illustrated - in his renowned inimitable style. The…
Jarlath Cunnane is marking the publication of a revised edition of his book, Northabout, in Dublin’s Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club, which takes place on December 21st at 8 pm
Polar circumnavigator, sailor and boat builder Jarlath Cunnane is marking the publication of a revised edition of his book, Northabout, in Dublin’s Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club next week. Cunnane and crew became the first small yacht to complete the…
The late Johnny Wedick, a leading figure in Poolbeg Y&BC, and the Old Gaffers Association
We regret to record the death of Johnny Wedick, a stalwart of the Dubin Bay Old Gaffers Association (DBOGA) since its foundation. He held the offices of President DBOGA, and Honorary Secretary, serving on the committee for many years. He…
Peadar Curran has Dalkey Island as a lifelong interest. He tells all with the DBOGA in Poolbeg Y&BC this Thursday night
Size for size, Dalkey, aka Deilginis, must be the most story-covered island in all of Ireland. The ancient Irish monks were here. The Vikings were here. Thanks to Napoleon and Cape Mortella, it has its own MartelloTower. A dinghy cruise-in-company…
Maritime Historian and diver Dr Eddie Bourke's shipwreck lecture will include a great many rare and interesting photographs and charts
Maritime Historian and diver Dr Eddie Bourke will be discussing shipwrecks around the coast of Ireland in the first of the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers 2023 winter lecture series this month. The Liffeyside illustrated talk in aid of the RNLI will…
The Manx Nobby Vervine Blossom was restored by the late Mick Hunt, and is skippered by him here as she races from Vigo to Dublin with the Tall Ships in 1998

Mick Hunt (1940-2023)

26th September 2023 Howth YC
He brought new life afloat and ashore. And there was and is so much in the story of the late Mick Hunt “of Howth and Connacht” that thousands of words could be written about him. Yet we can get a…
He came, he saw, he conquered. Aongus Ó Cualáin with the Asgard Trophy in Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club in Dublin Port last Saturday night
Those of us who have found it challenging enough to get a sailing dinghy with a purpose-designed road trailer into a road-ready and race-ready condition was in awe this week of the achievements of Aongus Ó Cualáin of Connemara and his…
Aongus Ó Cualáin's Gleoiteog-Mor Blát na hÓige at the Poolbeg lighthouse on her way to overall victory in the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association Diamond Jubilee celebration Asgard Race on the River Liffey
It was well worth the significant logistical effort of skipper Aongus Ó Cualáin to transport his Galway Hooker Blát na hÓige from Connemara to Dublin's River Liffey by road last week as the 1896-built traditional vessel won first prize in Saturday's…
Little and large - A Ballyholme Insect Class dinghy (left) and Klevia from Anglesey in North Wales. Built in Esbjerg, Denmark, in 1936 for fishing the North Sea, the traditional gaff ketch was racing on Dublin Bay to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association
The Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association Diamond Anniversary sail down the River Liffey and out into Dublin Bay was completed in fine style on Saturday lunchtime (May 27th), thanks to some gentle easterly winds and warm sunshine. The 60th anniversary weekend…

Dublin Bay Old Gaffers

The Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association aims to promotes interest in traditional gaff rig and seamanship, to offer help, advice and comradeship to members and to organise races and rallies for members in the Dublin Bay Area. 

The Dublin Bay Old Gaffers normally organise a regatta, two rallies and four races during the summer season and a varied, interesting and well-supported series of talks during the winter (proceeds raised are donated to the RNLI). 

Many Dublin Bay members also travel to regattas and rallies organised by other Irish Sea OGA areas. 

While the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers activities are focused on  Dublin Bay, they also have a cluster of members in the Cork area and have members from all over Ireland and some in Britain too.

The Association is working up lans to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023.  In 2013 a fleet of boats set off around the UK and Ireland to celebrate OGA50.