The history of Monkstown Bay Sailing Club’s burgee goes back much further than the club's founding in June of 1970. As far back as 1872, members of the public who visit the club this Saturday, when it opens its doors as part of Heritage Week in the Cork Harbourside village, will be told.
Burgee Heritage — Monkstown Bay Sailing Club’s clubhouse at De Vesci Place and the club burgee, whose design traces its origins to the Munster Model Yacht Club founded in 1872
The Club burgee is that of the Munster Model Yacht Club, which was founded in August 1872 at a meeting in the then Imperial Hotel in the village. In 1886 it became the Munster Corinthian Yacht Club. In December 1891, it applied successfully to use the Royal prefix and, in 1892, became the Royal Munster Yacht Club.
History records harbour clubs in Crosshaven, Cobh and Monkstown, merging over subsequent years to become the Royal Cork Yacht Club at Crosshaven in 1966.
Monkstown Bay Sailing Club was founded on June 7, 1970 and, in later years, acquired a clubhouse at De Vesci Place, where its fascinating history will be open to visitors to peruse on Saturday. It focuses on dinghy sailing and has built a strong reputation for hosting major events. Sailing leagues are held twice weekly during the Summer months, with additional weekend events, and the club has a strong programme to encourage young sailors.
Harbour Action — Dinghy crews contest Monkstown Bay Sailing Club’s summer league on Cork Harbour, where the club runs twice-weekly racing during the season
Monkstown village community is battling Cork County Council to stop it removing the only green space in the village, known as ‘the island’. The Council wants to improve traffic flow as part of a development including a greenway. While there is no objection to the greenway, there is great concern about future road safety, and the Sailing Club has expressed concern about effects on its activities, which are based on the Sand Quay adjacent to the island. Sailing from there dates back to the Munster Model Yacht Club in 1872
Save Our Island — Campaign signs at Monkstown’s ‘island’, the village green space at the centre of local opposition to proposed road changes associated with a new greenway
Island Campaign — Monkstown children gather at the village’s green space known as ‘the island’ as the community campaigns against Cork County Council plans that would see it removed
“Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the club’s maritime heritage,” according to the village’s Heritage Committee, which is organising Saturday’s events: “We are celebrating Monkstown’s past and the strong sense of community that exists today. There will be a photographic exhibition of historical harbourside images and memories. St.John’s Church of Ireland will have a special ‘Open Doors’ event. There will be a guided walk by the Tidy Towns Committee of local landmarks, architecture and community history.” It all runs from 11 a.m.to 6 p.m.
The next major event being hosted by MBSC is the Fireball Munsters on September 5 and 6.
