A unique gathering at Royal Cork Yacht Club last night brought yacht designer Ron Holland's tour of south coast Irish yacht clubs to a close.
Midsummer night’s brought together old Crosshaven shipmates from way back but the star of the show was the first Irish-produced World Champion of them all - Silver Shamrock of 1976 Half Ton World Championship fame, now owned by the current Irish “Sailor of the Year” Conor Fogerty of Howth who was also in attendance in Crosshaven.
Master of Ceremonies John McWilliam saluted the Kiwi designer's role in Irish sailing success down the years and a packed RCYC clubhouse – that included an audience of sailors from the very young to the very old – heard the Kiwi designer speak about his life in boats.
Spotted among the crowd for Ron's talk were Cork Harbour locals Naomi James, the first woman to have sailed single-handed around the world via Cape Horn, Commodore's Cup-winning captain Anthony O'Leary, Neil Kenefick, Eddie English and former yacht broker Donal McClement.
The packed clubhouse at RCYC for John McWilliam's introduction Photo: Bob Bateman
Listen to a podcast with Afloat.ie's Tom MacSweeney here and read Afloat.ie's WM Nixon on the Ron Holland story here.
Photos by Bob Bateman of last night's gathering below
Ron Holland signs a photograph for Dick Gibson (right) Photo: Bob Bateman
Ron Holland speaking about his life in boats at Royal Cork Photo: Bob Bateman
Ron Holland with Master of Ceremonies John McWilliam (right) Photo: Bob Bateman
Hugh Gibson, Anthony O'Leary and Eddie English Photo: Bob Bateman
World beater – Ron Holland's 1976 Silver Shamrock alongside in Crosshaven
Georgina Campbell and Afloat's Willliam Nixon Photo: Bob Bateman
Neil Kenefick (left), Ron Holland (centre) and Stuart Brownlow Photo: Bob Bateman
John McWillian (left) with RCYC Vice Admiral Colin Morehead Photo: Bob Bateman
April English with RCYC CEO Gavin Deane Photo: Bob Bateman
