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Kinsale's Black Tom Trophy Race Adopts New Finish Format

20th July 2026
Rock Solid: Cruiser-racers round the Kinsale coast during club racing, with the Black Tom Trophy Race returning this weekend on a revised course.
Rock Solid: Cruiser-racers round the Kinsale coast during club racing, with the Black Tom Trophy Race returning this weekend on a revised course Credit: Bob Bateman

The Black Tom Trophy Race at Kinsale Yacht Club gets its name from the 'Black Tom' navigational buoy in Courtmacsherry Bay which is a rounding mark in the annual event.

The All-In ECHO handicap Spinnaker race is scheduled for this Saturday, with First Gun at 1125, with Black Tom to be taken to Port.

Participants have been advised by the Kinsale Club Committee: "We have to change the format of the race this weekend due to there being a festival in Courtmacsherry. We propose rounding Black Tom and self-time finish at Charlesfort."

Known as the Hooresrock, Black Tom Trophy Race, the self-timed finish will be at Bostoon Line, which is a transit between Bostoon and the lighthouse on Charles Fort.

Published in Kinsale
Tom MacSweeney

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Tom MacSweeney

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Tom MacSweeney writes a column for Afloat.ie. He is former RTE Marine Correspondent/Presenter of Seascapes and has a monthly Seascapes Podcast on the Community Radio Network and Podcast services

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Kinsale Yacht Club located in Kinsale, County Cork lies just 120 nautical miles from Wales, 240 from North West France and only 500 from the Galician Coast of North Spain.

Kinsale Yacht Club is only a few minutes walk from every shop, hotel, pub and restaurant in Ireland’s gourmet capital but most significantly it is only 30 km by road from Cork, Ireland’s second city, and between the two lies one the region’s main assets - Cork International Airport - with its daily links to many European capitals.

Club members, of which there are more than 600, race Cruisers, One Design Keelboats and Dinghies.

The club runs inshore and offshore races, has an active cruising scene, a powerboat section and most significantly for any real club, a strong and dynamic junior training programme.

Beyond the club’s own marina is the club house itself and the dinghy park. Within the clubhouse are changing rooms, bar and restaurant all with full wheelchair access. The club’s full-time secretariat, steward and marina manager are there to look after sailing visitors and members alike in a relaxed, informal and fun environment.

The club welcomes new members and has always got room on its members’ yachts for new comers to the sport.