Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC), Ireland’s largest yacht racing club, celebrated the achievements of its 2026 season at the AIB DBSC gala prizegiving at the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire on Friday, 6 November.
Sailors, families and prizewinners filled the museum for an evening that brought together the club’s extensive programme of keelboat and dinghy racing and an extraordinary display of silverware, reflecting generations of competition on Dublin Bay. DBSC Commodore Jacqueline McStay presented the prizes.
Silver Lining: An impressive array of racing trophies laid out beneath the historic arches of the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire ahead of the AIB DBSC gala prizegiving. Photo: Michael Chester
A season of racing behind the silverware
The prizegiving brought to a close a season that Afloat followed from the build-up to April’s summer programme through regular midweek and Saturday reports to the breezy September finale. Those race-by-race accounts provide the background to the final trophy winners and a lasting record of the 2026 season.
Among the performances documented along the way were September successes for Aurelia and Windjammer, a strong Saturday for Something Else, and Calypso’s June Thursday-series form. The season also featured the AIB DBSC Royal Alfred Super League.
2026 DBSC trophy winners
Premier Awards
The Dr. Alf Delany Cup, for the most successful dinghy, Puffin, Sean Craig & Heather King.
Dinghy Honours: DBSC Commodore Jacqueline McStay presents the Dr Alf Delany Cup to Sean Craig, whose Water Wag Puffin, sailed with Heather King, was the most successful dinghy of 2026. Photo: Michael Chester
The Waterhouse Shield, for the most successful yacht in handicap racing, Playtime, Johnnie Phillips, John Curtis & Joris Heeze.
Winning Formula: DBSC Commodore Jacqueline McStay with representatives of Playtime, sailed by Johnnie Phillips, John Curtis and Joris Heeze, winners of the Waterhouse Shield for the most successful yacht in handicap racing. Photo: Michael Chester
The George Arthur Newsom Cup, for the most successful yacht in one-design racing, Yikes, Team Yikes.
One Design: DBSC Commodore Jacqueline McStay with representatives of Team Yikes, winners of the George Arthur Newsom Cup for the most successful yacht in one-design racing. Photo: Michael Chester
The Brendan Ebrill Memorial Cup, for best reflecting the spirit of Dublin Bay Sailing, Hal Sisk & Fionán de Barra.
Sailing Spirit: DBSC Commodore Jacqueline McStay with Hal Sisk and Fionán de Barra, recipients of the Brendan Ebrill Memorial Cup for best reflecting the spirit of Dublin Bay sailing. Photo: Michael Chester
The Viking Award, for a notable contribution to Dublin Bay Sailing Club wnet to Ian Bowring and the presentation will take place later.
The Paddy McSwiney Memorial Cup, for the keelboat with most starts in Tuesday racing, Ruff Diamond, Sailing in Dublin.
Tuesday Honours: Pascal Wolf and Natalia Niewidok of Sailing in Dublin with the Paddy McSwiney Memorial Cup, awarded to Ruff Diamond for the most starts by a keelboat in DBSC Tuesday racing during 2026. Photo: Michael Chester
Dublin Bay 21s
Saturday Honours: The Carson Challenge Cup, awarded to John Sugars' Dublin Bay 21 Geraldine for Saturday racing during the 2026 DBSC season, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Daisy Picker Cup, for Tuesday racing, Geraldine, John Leahy.
The Carson Challenge Cup, for Saturday racing, Geraldine, John Sugars.
The Inisfallon Cup, for most success in 80% of races, Geraldine, Seán Doyle.
Water Wags – Wednesday series
Bluebird Honours: The Bluebird Trophy, awarded to John O’Driscoll’s Water Wag Moosmie for second place in the 2026 DBSC Wednesday series, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
First place, the Goldsmith Cup, Puffin, Sean Craig & Heather King.
Second place, the Bluebird Trophy, Moosmie, John O’Driscoll.
Third place, the G. Pugin Meldon Trophy, Swift, Guy & Jackie Kilroy.
Women on the Water
SneakyB, the O’Kelly-Trickett Family.
Cruiser 0
Centenary Honours: The Centenary Trophy, awarded to Prima Forte, sailed by Sean Lemass, Fergus Rigley and Patsy Burke, for Saturday ECHO racing in DBSC Cruiser 0 during the 2026 season, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Centenary Trophy, for Saturday racing on ECHO, Prima Forte, Sean Lemass, Fergus Rigley & Patsy Burke.
The Martin Cup, for Thursday racing on IRC, and the Knox-Gore Trophy for Saturday racing on IRC, Aurelia, Chris & Patanne Power-Smith.
The Knox-Gore Bowl, for Thursday racing on ECHO, Wow, Tim Kane & George Sisk.
Cruiser 1
Double Honours: The Weir Cup and Goodbody Cup, awarded to Brian and John Hall’s Something Else for Saturday IRC racing and the combined Thursday and Saturday J109 series in DBSC Cruiser 1, are collected at the 2026 gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Weir Cup, for Saturday racing on IRC, and the Goodbody Cup, for Thursday and Saturday combined in the J109 sub-division, Something Else, Brian & John Hall.
The Osterburg Trophy, for Saturday racing on ECHO, Riders on the Storm, Robert Kerr.
The West Pier Officer’s Cup and Tiamat Trophy were subject to protest appeals at the time of the prizegiving.
Cruiser 2
Double Honours: The Centenary Cup and TP Early Memorial Cup, awarded to Peridot, sailed by Jim McCann, Yannick Charrier, Hugh O'Donnell and Paul Cadden, for Thursday and Saturday ECHO racing respectively in DBSC Cruiser 2 during the 2026 season, are collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Centenary Cup, for Thursday racing on ECHO, and the TP Early Memorial Cup, for Saturday racing on ECHO, Peridot, Jim McCann, Yannick Charrier, Hugh O'Donnell & Paul Cadden.
Sigma 33 sub-division: The JB Stephens Trophy, for Thursday racing, and the Rupert Bowl, for Saturday racing, Moonshine, Ronnie Moloney, Fergus O'Sullivan & David O'Flynn.
The Lady Shamrock Trophy, for Thursday racing on IRC, the Silver Salver, for Saturday racing on IRC, and the Brendan Briscoe Trophy, for Thursday and Saturday IRC combined, Windjammer, Lindsay Casey.
Cruiser 3
Double Honours: The Whimbrel Rose Bowl and Jack Kennedy Memorial Cup, awarded to Gerry Costello’s Pamafe for Tuesday and Saturday ECHO racing respectively in DBSC Cruiser 3 during the 2026 season, are collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Whimbrel Rose Bowl, for Tuesday racing on ECHO, and the Jack Kennedy Memorial Cup, for Saturday racing on ECHO, Pamafe, Gerry Costello.
The Annette Cup, for Thursday racing on ECHO, Saki, Ben & Michael Ryan.
Cruiser 4A and 5A
Saturday Honours: The Trevor Wood Trophy, awarded to Just Jasmin, sailed by Tim Costello, Valda Boardman, Walter Tyrrell and Pat O'Dwyer, for Saturday ECHO racing in DBSC Cruiser 4A and 5A during the 2026 season, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Burford Trophy, for Thursday racing on VPRS, and the Heineken Superleague Cup, for Saturday racing on VPRS, Playtime, Johnnie Phillips, John Curtis & Joris Heeze.
The Peigi Ban half model, for Thursday racing on ECHO, Brizo, Derek Ryan.
The Trevor Wood Trophy, for Saturday racing on ECHO, Just Jasmin, Tim Costello, Valda Boardman, Walter Tyrrell & Pat O'Dwyer.
Cruiser 4B and 5B
Thursday Honours: The Howth Trophy, awarded to Rodney and Sally Martin’s Gemini for Thursday VPRS racing in DBSC Cruiser 4B and 5B during the 2026 season, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The White Sail Class Trophy, for Saturday racing on ECHO, Calypso, Howard Knott.
The Howth Trophy, for Thursday racing on VPRS, Gemini, Rodney & Sally Martin.
The Galileo Cup, for Thursday racing on ECHO, Setanta, Gavin Denn & Declan Bourke.
Beneteau 21
Triple Honours: The Optec Trophy, Facet Jewellers Cup and Jimmy Fischer Trophy, awarded to Patrick Shannon’s Beeswing for Tuesday ECHO, Thursday scratch and Saturday ECHO racing respectively in the DBSC Beneteau 21 class during the 2026 season, are collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Optec Trophy, for Tuesday racing on ECHO, the Facet Jewellers Cup, for Thursday racing on scratch, and the Jimmy Fischer Trophy, for Saturday racing on ECHO, Beeswing, Patrick Shannon.
The Beneteau 21 Tray, for Thursday racing on ECHO, Isolde, Jimmy Martin & Brian Mulkeen.
The Beneteau 21 Cup, for Saturday racing on Scratch, and the Waterhouse Rose Bowl, for Thursday and Saturday scratch combined, Yikes, Team Yikes.
Beneteau 31.7
Double Honours: The Feanor Trophy and Arandora Trophy, awarded to Chris Johnston and Team Prospect’s Prospect for Thursday and Saturday scratch racing respectively in the DBSC Beneteau 31.7 class during the 2026 season, are collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Feanor Trophy, for Thursday racing on scratch, and the Arandora Trophy, for Saturday racing on scratch, Prospect, Chris Johnston & Team Prospect.
The Horrigan Cup, for Thursday racing on ECHO, Avalon, Roger Conan, Mark Conan & the late James Fox.
The Long John Silver Cup, for Saturday racing on ECHO, Levante, John Power & Michael Leahy.
Dragon
Triple Honours: The Oxford and Cambridge Cup, Royal Irish Yacht Club Cup and Prince Alfred Cup, awarded to Denis and Joseph Bergin’s Dragon Sir Ossis of the River for Thursday, Saturday and combined racing respectively in the 2026 DBSC season, are collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Oxford and Cambridge Cup, for Thursday racing, the Royal Irish Yacht Club Cup, for Saturday racing, and the Prince Alfred Cup, for Thursday and Saturday combined, Sir Ossis of the River, Denis Bergin & Joseph Bergin.
Glen
Crew Honours: The Mitchell Trophy, awarded to Dermot Bremner’s Glen Glenluce for the Tuesday crews’ series in the 2026 DBSC season, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Mitchell Trophy, for the Tuesday crews’ series, Glenluce, Dermot Bremner.
The Pterodactyl Cup, for Thursday racing, the Harry Maguire Memorial Cup, for Saturday racing, and the McMullen Cup for Thursday and Saturday combined, Glenluce, Ailbe Millerick.
The Pair of Silver Vases, for the Ladies’ race, Pterodactyl, Gail Varian.
Ruffian
Tuesday Honours: The John Donnelly Perpetual Cup, awarded to Enda Brennan’s Ruffian Scéal Eile for Tuesday racing in the 2026 DBSC season, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The John Donnelly Perpetual Cup, for Tuesday racing, Scéal Eile, Enda Brennan.
The Huet Trophy, for Thursday racing, the British Airways Trophy, for Saturday racing, and the J. Lamont Trophy for Thursday and Saturday combined, Bandit, Ann Kirwan & Brian Cullen.
Shipman
Midweek Honours: The Midweek Trophy, awarded to David Freeman’s Shipman Twocan for Thursday racing in the 2026 DBSC season, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Midweek Trophy, for Thursday racing, Twocan, David Freeman.
The Melindi Cup, for Saturday racing, and the Shipman Perpetual Trophy, for Thursday and Saturday combined, Viking, Fergus Mason, Orna Tubridy & Colm Duggan.
SB20
Saturday Honours: The Bealtaine Trophy, awarded to Gerard Dempsey’s SB20 venuesworld.com for Saturday Series A racing in the 2026 DBSC season, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Bealtaine Trophy, for Saturday series A, venuesworld.com, Gerard Dempsey.
The Lunasa Trophy, for Saturday series B, Carpe Diem, Colin Galavan.
The Crichton Cup, for Thursday racing, and the SB20 Sunday Cup, for Saturday overall, Ted, Michael O'Connor & Davy Taylor.
Mixed Sportsboats
Double Honours: The Thursday Sportsboat Trophy and Captain Viscount Crichton Cup, awarded to Declan Curtin’s J80 Jester for Thursday racing in the DBSC Mixed Sportsboats fleet and J80 sub-division respectively during the 2026 season, are collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Thursday Sportsboat Trophy, for Thursday racing, and the Captain Viscount Crichton Cup, for Thursday racing in the J80 sub-division, Jester, Declan Curtin.
The Saturday Sportsboat Cup, for Saturday racing, Starjay, Kevin Byrne.
Flying Fifteen
Saturday Honours: The Brian S Ryan Trophy, awarded to David Gorman and Chris Doorly’s Flying Fifteen Fomo for Saturday racing in the 2026 DBSC season, is collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Fifty-Something Cup, for Thursday series A, and the Flying Fifteen Gun, for Thursday overall, Farfalla, Sean Craig & Stephen Boyle.
The Brian S Ryan Trophy, for Saturday racing, Fomo, David Gorman & Chris Doorly.
The Blake Cup, for first in the Silver Fleet, Flyer, Niall Coleman & Cormac Bradley.
Fireball
Fireball Honours: Pat McGoldrick collects the Nuit St. George Trophy on behalf of Frank Miller and Marta Anzillotti Zamorano, whose Fireball Ballderdash won the Tuesday racing series in the 2026 DBSC season, at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
Nuit St. George Trophy, for Tuesday racing, Ballderdash, Frank Miller & Marta Anzillotti Zamorano.
The Fireball Saturday Cup, for Saturday racing, SID, Pat McGoldrick.
IDRA 14
Double Honours: The Bay Cup and Kennedy Cup, awarded to Pierre Long’s IDRA 14 Dart for Tuesday and Saturday racing respectively in the 2026 DBSC season, are collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chester
The Bay Cup, for Tuesday racing, and the Kennedy Cup, for Saturday racing, Dart, Pierre Long.
The Crews' Challenge Cup, Dart, Marc Long.
The Melampus Cup, special conditions, Chaos, Pam McKay.
The Halfway Trophy, special conditions, Dunmoanin, Jennie Byrne & John Fitzgerald.
PY Class
Double Honours: The Windmill Cup and Early Bird Trophy, awarded to Noel Butler’s Orion for Tuesday and Saturday racing respectively in the DBSC PY Class during the 2026 season, are collected at the gala prizegiving in the National Maritime Museum. Photo: Michael Chestera
The Windmill Cup, for Tuesday racing, and the Early Bird Trophy, for Saturday racing, Orion, Noel Butler.
ILCA 7
The Lanavere Cup, for Tuesday racing, Sidewinder, Gavan Murphy.
The DBSC Challenge Trophy, for Saturday racing, The Silky Wilkie, Sam Wilkinson.
ILCA 6
The Sailcraft Tray Trophy, for Tuesday racing, Emily Kate II, Hugh Cahill.
The Laser Saturday Trophy, for Saturday racing, Djinn V, Michael Norman.
For the race-by-race background to these awards, see Afloat’s Dublin Bay Sailing Club news and results archive.
