As Mayo Sailing Club prepares to stage WIORA 2025 and the Ruffian 23 National Championships, Club Commodore Pat Aylward has compiled the following account of the history of the west coast club since it was founded 50 years ago.
During the summer of 1975, Jack Cahill of Castlebar drafted a letter and circulated it via the Westport Tourist Office, intending to form “The Mayo Sailing & Cruising Club”. The first meeting, attended by 35 people, was held at the Imperial Hotel in Castlebar. A committee was appointed, and the current Club name was adopted.
The first, and inaugural, AGM was held in late 1975. Very soon £2,000 was raised and with the aid of a Bord Failte grant, the current club site was purchased, even though at that stage the current ‘Golf Course’ road had yet to be constructed.
Just when the initial impetus of the club started to wane, Derek Jago took up the post of County Architect with Mayo County Council in 1977. Derek was a hugely experienced international sailor and was instrumental in establishing a large and enthusiastic Laser Dinghy fleet. Rosmoney Pier was developed in 1978, and with the subsequent opening of the Golf Course road, the siting of the new club in Rosmoney proved to be inspired. Derek then designed a modest clubhouse, which was officially opened in 1984.
The dinghy scene at Mayo Sailing Club
The history of Mayo Sailing Club would not be complete without a mention of Glenans Sailing Centre, which was established on Collanmore Island shortly afterwards and remained a vibrant part of the sailing infrastructure until its closure in 2013.
Gradually over the years, from the mid-80s, the club had an ever-expanding cruiser fleet, and the modest Clubhouse was soon found wanting. So, circa the Millennium, plans were made for a major expansion of the infrastructure of
the shore-based assets of the club. This culminated in the present clubhouse being officially opened in 2004.
The J24, Headcase, which became European Champion in 2023, had a Mayo Sailing Club crew onboard
The club has a vibrant youth section and has produced many excellent sailors over the years. A great example of this occurred in 2023, when two club members were part of the crew of J24 Headcase, which became European Champions and achieved 4th place in the World Championships. Well done to Marcus Ryan and Louis Mulloy. The youth section is a hive of activity in the summer months, with the weekly courses always over-subscribed.
The anemometer on Inislyre
The establishment of anemometers on Inislyre in the late noughties (Courtesy of the Gibbons Family) proved to be a hugely popular innovation, as the general population in the Clew Bay Area tuned into this facility to get a very local weather situation.
Another great innovation by the club was the construction 10 years ago of a substantial pontoon at the Western end of Rosmoney Pier. This allows Clew Bay Island residents as well as Mayo Sailing Club members to embark/disembark from their craft safely.
The pontoon at the Western end of Rosmoney Pier
Cruiser racing in the Mayo Sailing Club reached its height ten years ago when, each Thursday night, three vibrant Cruiser fleets were racing. Like all clubs in the country, the cruiser fleet has reduced somewhat from its height, but in Mayo, a new phenomenon occurred: The growth of a Ruffian Fleet.
The club now boasts 18 Ruffians with 12 racing regularly every Thursday night, so instead of a decreased membership, Mayo Sailing Club has increased its membership and is looking forward to the years ahead with great confidence.
The Mayo Sailing Club bar
Over the years, many national sailing events have been hosted by the club. WIORA last came to Mayo in 2014, and the club looks forward to hosting WIORA in 2025 and the Ruffian Nationals as part of our 50th year celebrations from 18th – 21st June 2025 as Afloat previews here
