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Howth Yacht Club's October Sailing Finale Finds Its Way Round The Lion's Roar

23rd October 2024
2024 Howth 17 Champion Erica of 1988 vintage steaming ahead of the 1898-built Aura, while the Puppeteer 22s negotiate their way around a lone Squib. The reason for the popularity of the Poolbeg Smokestacks on Dublin Bay is revealed. They speak to us as highly-refined versions of the classic and beloved lighthouse shape, whereas the much-loathed Kilroot Chimney on Belfast Lough is a brutally large and crude cylinder
2024 Howth 17 Champion Erica of 1988 vintage steaming ahead of the 1898-built Aura, while the Puppeteer 22s negotiate their way around a lone Squib. The reason for the popularity of the Poolbeg Smokestacks on Dublin Bay is revealed. They speak to us as highly-refined versions of the classic and beloved lighthouse shape, whereas the much-loathed Kilroot Chimney on Belfast Lough is a brutally large and crude cylinder Credit: Tom Ryan

The final weekend of October sailing at Howth came last Saturday (October 19th), as the members have to use the up-coming Hallowe'en Holiday Weekend to check out that their boats and yachts in Croatia and other more reliably sunny coasts are okay. And this last outing from the peninsula port was a matter of dealing with Storm Ashley, with he or she proving to be like a lion with an increasingly painful thorn in its paw.

Thus on Saturday, Ashley was huffing and puffing to provide sunny and warm but uneven winds for racing. Yet while Sunday was still sunny, the lion was roaring big time, there was no racing for the dinghies' final day, and keelboat owners – having got in their sport on Saturday – looked to check that their boats were well secured, and then kept an eye out for loose tiles on houses and shipmates alike.

1898 CLASS SET THE SPIRIT

Like it or not, the Howth spirit is set by the1898-vintage Howth 17 One Designs, with the Puppeteer 22s trying with reasonable success to catch some of their magic dust. Yet the whole business of a class thriving as a racing class, but with boats exactly as they were designed by Herbert Boyd of Howth and Merrion Square 127 years ago in October 1897, is distinctly off the wall. For you have to realise that this is pure flat-out racing with no holds barred, rather than some carefully-rehearsed historic procession.

It's as though there happened to be twenty or so 1898 Panhard racing cars in Ireland, and their owners continue to race these vintage terrors just as hard as they'll go on country roads three or four times a week.

This 1898 Panhard is the automobile contemporary equivalent of the Howth 17s. Photo courtesy Frick Art & Historical Center, PittsburghThis 1898 Panhard is the automobile contemporary equivalent of the Howth 17s. Photo courtesy Frick Art & Historical Center, Pittsburgh

And as it happens, 1898 was a big deal for Panhard cars, as their new Panhard et Levassor Tonneau marked the change from tiller to wheel steering. But despite their reputation for being something special, the only roadworthy one we can find seems to be in Pennsylvania, in Pittsburg's Frick Art & Historical Center, provider of the following notes:

"Our 1898 Panhard et Levassor Tonneau is believed to be one of the earliest automobiles on the roads of Pittsburgh. By 1898, it was probably one of the most technologically sophisticated vehicles, with such features as aluminum gear-box casing, front-mounted vertical engine, pneumatic tires and wheel steering.

"This two-cylinder, forty horsepower Panhard was purchased in Paris during the summer of 1900 by Howard C. Heinz, son of Henry J. Heinz. Howard drove the Panhard in the French Century Run, reaching a speed of forty mph (astonishing at the time) before bringing it home to the streets of Pittsburgh."

LITHIUM LESSONS FROM AMERICA'S CUP

At a time when you think that the only real lesson for ordinary sailors to learn from last weekend's 37th Africa's Cup final is that lithium batteries don't seem to be the perfect power storage system we'd hoped for (in fact, they can be dangerous), you can see why the Howth 17 and Puppeteer 22s helms and crews include high-powered international business executives. They may have been round the world on work matters between weekend races, yet it's essential that they return to little old boats that find their only One-Design racing in one place, and a slightly odd place at that.

Difficult to believe that next day it was blowing 120 kph-plus. Gentle sailing in the last race of the season for Ian Malcolm's Aura ahead of Oona, Orla, Erica and Deilginis. Photo: Tom RyanDifficult to believe that next day it was blowing 120 kph-plus. Gentle sailing in the last race of the season for Ian Malcolm's Aura ahead of Oona, Orla, Erica and Deilginis. Photo: Tom Ryan

Of course there were also Cruiser-Racer Classes racing in the Autumn League, five of them with their results diced every which way racing twice on Saturday on offshore course set by David Lovegrove, while inshore with Scorie Walls and Mike Head running the show, the One Designs had the gradually reviving Squibs in addition to the thriving Pupps and Seventeens.

OVERALL IRC WINNERS

Overall on IRC, the winners were Mike & Richie Evans J/99 Snapshot in 1, the Noonan/Chambers Corby Impetuous in 2, Stephen Mullaney's Sigma 33 Insider adding yet another notch to her season's excellent score in 3, Colm Bermingham's Elan 33 Bite the Bullet in 4, and the "cruising" Sigma 33 Leeuwin (E Burke & J Murray) taking Class 5.

Last of the summer wine…Simon Knowles' J/109 Indian won Class 1 HPH. Photo: Tom RyanLast of the summer wine…Simon Knowles' J/109 Indian won Class 1 HPH. Photo: Tom Ryan

ONE DESIGN OUTCOMES

The three One-Design Classes saw the Squibs with a new star on top at the end, with Stephen Kay's Crackertoo clear on top ahead of Fantome (Caroline O'Kelly & Suzanne Barry) with Tom McMahon's Tears in Heaven third.

The Puppeteer 22s saw a great year being rounded out for Alan Pearson & Alan Blay's 2024 National Champion Trick or Treat, as she emerged three points clear of hot boat Shiggy Shiggy (Paul & Laura McMahon), with class veteran David Clarke in Harlequin at third staving off the challenge of class newby Nigel Biggs (he of the First 50 Checkmate XX) by three points.

UNPRECEDENTED RESULT FOR HOWTH 17s

Back in 1988, the Howth 17s got a real boost with the first addition of new-built boats since 1914. These were Erica and Isobel, built by master-craftsman John O'Reilly in a shed off the farmyard at Howth Castle, and their debut at the new HYC clubhouse attracted an enormous crowd of well-wishers, reflecting the old class's colourful and widespread history.

The classic shapes of two new-build Howth 17s (the first for 73 years) begin to emerge in a shed at Howth Castle. Photo: W M NixonThe classic shapes of two new-build Howth 17s (the first for 73 years) begin to emerge in a shed at Howth Castle. Photo: W M Nixon

But until now, 36 years later, it is believed that there has never been a major Howth 17 event in which the two "castle boats" have taken first and second overall. Yet thanks to Erica (Davie Nixon) going into Saturday's final races well up on points, and Isobel (Conor & Brian Turvey) emerging successfully from the mighty battle for second overall, the job is done, with the 1907-built Deilginis (Massey, Toomy & Kenny) third, just one point behind Isobel.

The great John O'Reilly at work on building Erica in 1987-88. Although long retired from the boat-building and shipwright department in Dublin Port, his skills were sharper then ever. Photo: Jamie BlandfordThe great John O'Reilly at work on building Erica in 1987-88. Although long retired from the boat-building and shipwright department in Dublin Port, his skills were sharper then ever. Photo: Jamie Blandford

John O'Reilly with Erica's deck beams in place in early 1988, with sister-ship Isobel beyond in the shed at Howth Castle. Photo: Jamie BlandfordJohn O'Reilly with Erica's deck beams in place in early 1988, with sister-ship Isobel beyond in the shed at Howth Castle. Photo: Jamie Blandford

DINGHIES WIPED

There was no question of racing for the mixed dinghies scheduled to conclude the Claremont League on Sunday, but in reading the runes the powers that be have concluded that Emmet Dalton won overall on PY in his RS Aero, with two IDRA 14s helmed by Ryan Cairns and Alan Carr taking third and fourth, while the new and growing Melges 15s saw the win going to Cormac & Aoibhin Farrelly, with the Evans family second and the Quinn family third.

All results here

The future is revealed – the new Howth 17s Erica and Isobel make their debut at the 1987-opened (and very crowded) Howth Yacht Club at the start of the 1988 season. Photo: Jamie BandfordThe future is revealed – the new Howth 17s Erica and Isobel make their debut at the 1987-opened (and very crowded) Howth Yacht Club at the start of the 1988 season. Photo: Jamie Bandford

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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Howth Yacht Club information

Howth Yacht Club is the largest members sailing club in Ireland, with over 1,700 members. The club welcomes inquiries about membership - see top of this page for contact details.

Howth Yacht Club (HYC) is 125 years old. It operates from its award-winning building overlooking Howth Harbour that houses office, bar, dining, and changing facilities. Apart from the Clubhouse, HYC has a 250-berth marina, two cranes and a boat storage area. In addition. its moorings in the harbour are serviced by launch.

The Club employs up to 31 staff during the summer and is the largest employer in Howth village and has a turnover of €2.2m.

HYC normally provides an annual programme of club racing on a year-round basis as well as hosting a full calendar of International, National and Regional competitive events. It operates a fleet of two large committee boats, 9 RIBs, 5 J80 Sportboats, a J24 and a variety of sailing dinghies that are available for members and training. The Club is also growing its commercial activities afloat using its QUEST sail and power boat training operation while ashore it hosts a wide range of functions each year, including conferences, weddings, parties and the like.

Howth Yacht Club originated as Howth Sailing Club in 1895. In 1968 Howth Sailing Club combined with Howth Motor Yacht Club, which had operated from the West Pier since 1935, to form Howth Yacht Club. The new clubhouse was opened in 1987 with further extensions carried out and more planned for the future including dredging and expanded marina facilities.

HYC caters for sailors of all ages and run sailing courses throughout the year as part of being an Irish Sailing accredited training facility with its own sailing school.

The club has a fully serviced marina with berthing for 250 yachts and HYC is delighted to be able to welcome visitors to this famous and scenic area of Dublin.

New applications for membership are always welcome

Howth Yacht Club FAQs

Howth Yacht Club is one of the most storied in Ireland — celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020 — and has an active club sailing and racing scene to rival those of the Dun Laoghaire Waterfront Clubs on the other side of Dublin Bay.

Howth Yacht Club is based at the harbour of Howth, a suburban coastal village in north Co Dublin on the northern side of the Howth Head peninsula. The village is around 13km east-north-east of Dublin city centre and has a population of some 8,200.

Howth Yacht Club was founded as Howth Sailing Club in 1895. Howth Sailing Club later combined with Howth Motor Yacht Club, which had operated from the village’s West Pier since 1935, to form Howth Yacht Club.

The club organises and runs sailing events and courses for members and visitors all throughout the year and has very active keelboat and dinghy racing fleets. In addition, Howth Yacht Club prides itself as being a world-class international sailing event venue and hosts many National, European and World Championships as part of its busy annual sailing schedule.

As of November 2020, the Commodore of the Royal St George Yacht Club is Ian Byrne, with Paddy Judge as Vice-Commodore (Clubhouse and Administration). The club has two Rear-Commodores, Neil Murphy for Sailing and Sara Lacy for Junior Sailing, Training & Development.

Howth Yacht Club says it has one of the largest sailing memberships in Ireland and the UK; an exact number could not be confirmed as of November 2020.

Howth Yacht Club’s burgee is a vertical-banded pennant of red, white and red with a red anchor at its centre. The club’s ensign has a blue-grey field with the Irish tricolour in its top left corner and red anchor towards the bottom right corner.

The club organises and runs sailing events and courses for members and visitors all throughout the year and has very active keelboat and dinghy racing fleets. In addition, Howth Yacht Club prides itself as being a world-class international sailing event venue and hosts many National, European and World Championships as part of its busy annual sailing schedule.

Yes, Howth Yacht Club has an active junior section.

Yes, Howth Yacht Club hosts sailing and powerboat training for adults, juniors and corporate sailing under the Quest Howth brand.

Among its active keelboat and dinghy fleets, Howth Yacht Club is famous for being the home of the world’s oldest one-design racing keelboat class, the Howth Seventeen Footer. This still-thriving class of boat was designed by Walter Herbert Boyd in 1897 to be sailed in the local waters off Howth. The original five ‘gaff-rigged topsail’ boats that came to the harbour in the spring of 1898 are still raced hard from April until November every year along with the other 13 historical boats of this class.

Yes, Howth Yacht Club has a fleet of five J80 keelboats for charter by members for training, racing, organised events and day sailing.

The current modern clubhouse was the product of a design competition that was run in conjunction with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland in 1983. The winning design by architects Vincent Fitzgerald and Reg Chandler was built and completed in March 1987. Further extensions have since been made to the building, grounds and its own secure 250-berth marina.

Yes, the Howth Yacht Club clubhouse offers a full bar and lounge, snug bar and coffee bar as well as a 180-seat dining room. Currently, the bar is closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Catering remains available on weekends, take-home and delivery menus for Saturday night tapas and Sunday lunch.

The Howth Yacht Club office is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Contact the club for current restaurant opening hours at [email protected] or phone 01 832 0606.

Yes — when hosting sailing events, club racing, coaching and sailing courses, entertaining guests and running evening entertainment, tuition and talks, the club caters for all sorts of corporate, family and social occasions with a wide range of meeting, event and function rooms. For enquiries contact [email protected] or phone 01 832 2141.

Howth Yacht Club has various categories of membership, each affording the opportunity to avail of all the facilities at one of Ireland’s finest sailing clubs.

No — members can join active crews taking part in club keelboat and open sailing events, not to mention Pay & Sail J80 racing, charter sailing and more.

Fees range from €190 to €885 for ordinary members.
Memberships are renewed annually.

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