#HOWTH YACHT CLUB - Children's charity Variety Ireland celebrated the return of its 'Boat for Hope' event at Howth Yacht Club at the weekend.
Almost 60 vessels of all shapes and sizes were used to bring special needs children and their families and carers from HYC out to Balscadden Bay for a pirate adventure on the high seas.
Dressed as pirates, the youngsters teamed up with Captain Rocket and his buccaneer crew aboard Mick Hunt's 'Pirate Ship', helping to offload his treasure - with a little help from the Howth Yacht Club RIB team - while coastguard and lifeboat vessels attacked with water cannon fire!
After all that excitement, the kids were treated to a tour of the fishing harbour where the resident seals demonstrated their swimming skills, followed by some proper clowning around and a BBQ lunch in the marquee on the green.
Organisers described it as a "very special day for the children and their families" and thanked the hundreds of supporters and volunteers who made it all happen.
Howth Yacht Club also thanked the sponsors and services that provided support, including the Dublin Fire Brigade, the Red Cross Ambulance Service, Howth Coastguard and Howth RNLI, as well as guests such as Fingal Mayor Cian O'Callaghan, Harbourmaster Capt Raja Maitra, Terrance Flanagan TD and co-ordinators from the Variety Club of Ireland.