National Yacht Club Closes a Banner Year with Global Wins, Youth Growth, and Rising Stars

23rd December 2025

Afloat.ie Team

The National Yacht Club clubhouse in Dún Laoghaire — a historic hub of Irish sailing and home to a thriving community of sailors and champions in 2025. This Christmas, the building shines brighter than ever thanks to newly designed lighting

As the 2025 sailing season draws to a close, the National Yacht Club (NYC) at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay reflects on an extraordinary year of achievements, growth, and camaraderie on and off the water.

“This past year has been filled with wonderful moments, both on and off the water,” said Commodore Peter Sherry. “We’ve shared a lively mix of events that brought together every corner of our sailing and social community.”

From March to September, NYC’s calendar was packed with elite competitions, including the University Match Racing Championship, the 29er and 49er Championships, and the iconic Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race. July featured a suite of top-tier events, including the 2.4m Nationals, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, and the ILCA Leinster Championship.

The season’s pinnacle came in August when NYC hosted the ILCA Under 21 World Championships, a milestone that underscored the club’s global standing. “The ILCA Under 21 Worlds was a true highlight,” said Sherry. “To see such high-level competition unfold in our own waters was a proud moment for all of us.”

September brought a fitting conclusion with the Flying Fifteen National Championships and the World Match Racing Tour, sealing NYC’s position as one of Ireland’s premier sailing institutions.

Finn Lynch secured bronze at both the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma and Kieler Woche in Germany.

Off the racecourse, NYC’s training and youth development programmes flourished. Senior Instructor Nicola Ferguson and Assistant Hugh O’Connor led vibrant summer courses, with young sailors building skills and confidence. “Our next generation is in good hands,” said Sherry. “The energy from our young instructors and coaches was truly inspiring.”

In October, five 29er sailors trained at Lake Garda under Head Coach Thomas Chaix — part of NYC’s growing international ambitions. Closer to home, the Friday Night Series continued to anchor the club’s “nippers” programme, strengthening foundational skills for junior sailors.

“Our Transition Year sailors are sharpening their navigation and powerboat skills,” added Sherry, noting that several will sail a tall ship in early 2026 — a unique learning adventure.

Brian Hall’s Something Else won the 2025 Scottish Series

On the cruising front, members explored the Irish coastline, from Greystones and Arklow to Kilmore Quay and Howth, with younger sailors joining the trips. “It’s heartening to see the next generation discover the joy of cruising,” Sherry reflected.

The Adult Sail Training Programme also saw strong uptake, with around 40 sailors completing courses aboard NYC’s J80s and the new Echo 90. “Thanks to our volunteer instructors, adult training continues to open doors for both members and newcomers,” Sherry said.

The club celebrated several notable individual achievements:

Finn Lynch secured bronze at both the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma and Kieler Woche in Germany.

Brian Hall’s Something Else won the 2025 Scottish Series.

Mark O’Connor became the youngest Irish sailor to race solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

“These sailors exemplify the spirit and ambition of our community,” Sherry noted. “Their success inspires us all.”

Mark O’Connor became the youngest Irish sailor to race solo across the Atlantic Ocean

Beyond sailing, the NYC hosted standout social events, including Women at the Helm, with Olympian Annalise Murphy and Joan Mulloy, and an Olympic debrief with Finn Lynch and Eve McMahon. “These evenings reminded us how interconnected and vibrant our sailing culture really is,” said Sherry.

As the year winds down, the Commodore expressed his appreciation: “Thank you all for your support, enthusiasm, and friendship throughout 2025. The vibrancy and success of our Club depend on your generosity of time and spirit.”

With a successful 2025 behind them and new generations stepping forward, the National Yacht Club heads into 2026 with momentum and optimism.

Published in National YC

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National Yacht Club

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National Yacht Club Facilities

Facilities include a slipway directly accessing Dun Laoghaire Harbour, over eighty club moorings, platform parking, pontoons, fuelling, watering and crane-lifting ensure that the NYC is excellently equipped to cater for all the needs of the contemporary sailor. Berths with diesel, water, power and overnight facilities are available to cruising yachtsmen with shopping facilities being a short walk away. The club is active throughout the year with full dining and bar facilities and winter activities include bridge, snooker, quiz nights, wine tasting and special events.

National Yacht Club History

Although there are references to an active “club” prior to 1870, history records that the present clubhouse was erected in 1870 at a cost of £4,000 to a design by William Sterling and the Kingstown Royal Harbour Boat Club was registered with Lloyds in the same year. By 1872 the name had been changed to the Kingston Harbour Boat Club and this change was registered at Lloyds.

In 1881. the premises were purchased by a Captain Peacocke and others who formed a proprietary club called the Kingstown Harbour Yacht Club again registered at Lloyds. Some six years later in 1877 the building again changed hands being bought by a Mr Charles Barrington. and between 1877 and 1901 the club was very active and operated for a while as the “Absolute Club” although this change of name was never registered.

In 1901, the lease was purchased by three trustees who registered it as the Edward Yacht Club. In 1930 at a time when the Edward Yacht Club was relatively inactive, a committee including The Earl of Granard approached the trustees with a proposition to form the National Yacht Club. The Earl of Granard had been Commodore of the North Shannon Y.C. and was a senator in the W.T.Cosgrave government. An agreement was reached, the National Yacht Club was registered at Lloyds. The club burgee was created, red cross of Saint George with blue and white quarters being sky cloud, sea and surf. The Earl of Granard became the first Commodore.

In July of 1950, a warrant was issued to the National Yacht Club by the Government under the Merchant Shipping Act authorising members to hoist a club ensign in lieu of the National Flag. The new ensign to include a representation of the harp. This privilege is unique and specific to members of the National Yacht Club. Sterling’s design for the exterior of the club was a hybrid French Chateau and eighteenth century Garden Pavilion and today as a Class A restricted building it continues to provide elegant dining and bar facilities.

An early drawing of the building shows viewing balconies on the roof and the waterfront façade. Subsequent additions of platforms and a new slip to the seaward side and most recently the construction of new changing rooms, offices and boathouse provide state of the art facilities, capable of coping with major international and world championship events. The club provides a wide range of sailing facilities, from Junior training to family cruising, dinghy sailing to offshore racing and caters for most major classes of dinghies, one design keelboats, sports boats and cruiser racers. It provides training facilities within the ISA Youth Sailing Scheme and National Power Boat Schemes.

Past Commodores

1931 – 42 Earl of Granard 1942 – 45 T.J. Hamilton 1945 – 47 P.M. Purcell 1947 – 50 J.J. O’Leary 1950 – 55 A.A. Murphy 1955 – 60 J.J. O’Leary 1960 – 64 F. Lemass 1964 – 69 J.C. McConnell 1969 – 72 P.J. Johnston 1972 – 74 L. Boyd 1974 – 76 F.C. Winkelmann 1976 – 79 P.A. Browne 1979 – 83 W.A. Maguire 1983 – 87 F.J. Cooney 1987 – 88 J.J. Byrne 1988 – 91 M.F. Muldoon 1991 – 94 B.D. Barry 1994 – 97 M.P.B. Horgan 1997 – 00 B. MacNeaney 2000 – 02 I.E. Kiernan 2002 – 05 C.N.I. Moore 2005 – 08 C.J. Murphy 2008 – 11 P.D. Ryan 2011 – P. Barrington 2011-2014 Larry Power 2014-2017 Ronan Beirne 2017 – 2019