The unique and Centenary-celebrating una-rigged 18ft Shannon One Designs and their Association were already recognised in their special achievement by being co-winners (with Lough Ree YC) of the MG Motor “Club of the Year” award for 2022.

But while it was all well and good to know that something very special in sailing was taking place down along the Shannon and its great lakes during 2022, it was something else altogether to keep a characterful class - whose administration has been compared to herding cats - on track through a special and lengthy programme.

In this, intensive Centenary Regattas in July at Lough Derg YC and then at Lough Ree YC were added to the traditional lake and river sailing programme - concluding in the Autumn - that long pre-dates the founding of the Shannon ODA in 1922.

But with longtime Shannon OD sailors Philip Mayne as Class Chairman and Naomi Algeo as Honorary Secretary, ably supported by many volunteers, the crowded programme was successfully put through from beginning to end, and the class already has plans for 2023 well-advanced.

Shannon ODA Honorary Secretary Naomi Algeo with her father Alan, one of the longtime Shannon OD sailors whose voluntary work contributed to the class’s successful Centenary organised by Naomi and Class Chairman Philip Mayne