The Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Loaghaire, the 2013 winner of the Mitsubishi Club of the Year, hosted its principal annual event, the George's Day Dinner on Saturday, 27th April 2013. This year the celebration was all the more special for it marking the 175th year since the Club was founded.
To the delight of guests and Members, Honorary Member, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, of Clipper Ventures Plc was the guest speaker on the night. Sir Robin kept everyone utterly enthralled with his stories of adventure on the high seas.
Speaking at the Royal St. George, Sir Robin said, "It is an honour to be here, in this Club so immersed in a rich and vibrant history to celebrate with you the momentous achievement of a 175th birthday. While the successes of the past are undoubtedly important, what impresses me most is how you are looking to the future with a determined vision to ensure the next 175 years and beyond as a presence on the Dun Laoghaire waterfront – the Club's efforts with local schools to instill the love of sailing in children, the Special Needs and Access Sailing programmes are all to be applauded in broadening the reach of this fantastic sport."
As part of the evenings proceeding at the George's Day Dinner, Commodore Liam O'Rourke awarded the Jameson Trophy, the Club's premier trophy which is presented for outstanding contribution; this year's recipient was Ken Williams who started working for the Club as a contractor overseeing the Forecourt development in the late eighties and has been an integral part of the Club's fabric for nearly twenty five years, he is much loved by both Members and staff. To the best of their knowledge, it is the first time in its history that the trophy has been awarded to a non-Club Member.
Guests of Commodore O'Rourke included the British Ambassador to Ireland, H.E Dominick Chilcott, Cdr Aedh McGinn Commanding Officer of the LE EMER and Flag Officers representing many sister clubs.