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The Admiral Who Is Best Remembered In Ireland As An Artist

25th October 2022
the marine artist Richard Brydges Beechey, who lived and worked in Dublin for many years

Nobody knows how maritime researcher and historian Cormac Lowth does it all. But while most of us are still absorbing his recently-launched encyclopaedic book about the once hugely active Ringsend sailing trawler fleet, he has been re-focusing on another of his numerous interests, the marine artist Richard Brydges Beechey, who lived and worked in Dublin for many years.

Beechey was a sailor by trade. In fact, he was a sailor in the Royal Navy. Indeed, so good was he at the day job that he became an Admiral.

But he was also a dab hand with the sketch pad and the oil paints and the paint brushes. So much so, as it happens, that although Admirals were ten a penny in the Royal Navy in the 19th Century, one of the few who is remembered in Ireland is Richard Brydges Beechey. And that's because fine examples of his works are hanging on the walls of some of our better-known marine-oriented buildings.

So how did he do it all? Well, who better to explain than another hyper-active maritime polymath. Cormac Lowth will tell all about Beechey at Poolbeg Y&BC under the auspices of the Dubin Bay Old Gaffers
Association
this coming Thursday evening (October 27th) at 8.0pm, and all are welcome.

WM Nixon

About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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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.