J/24 world champions Cillian Dickson and the Headcase crew have been crowned Irish Sailors of the Year after a remarkable international campaign in 2025.
As Afloat's WM Nixon writes here, the team secured the prestigious “Afloat Sailor of the Year” honour following a season that delivered both European and World Championship titles in the J/24 class.
Dickson’s Headcase crew produced one of the standout Irish sailing performances of the year. Their campaign culminated with victory at the J/24 World Championship after already claiming European gold earlier in the season.
The team also won the Champions Cup and received a nomination for World Sailing’s Team of the Year award.
Drawn from several Irish sailing clubs, the Headcase crew has been widely recognised for its teamwork, preparation and disciplined campaign.
The top prize was the highlight of Irish Sailing's Awards night in Dun Laoghaire, where other awards were also presented.
The Headcase team also received the “Dubarry Team of the Year” award in recognition of its outstanding season.
Olympian Eve McMahon was awarded after a landmark year on the Olympic circuit towards LA 2028.
The Howth Yacht Club sailor won bronze at the ILCA World Championships in Qingdao, China, becoming the first Irish woman to medal at a senior world championship.
She later became the first Irish sailor to reach number one in the World Sailing rankings.
The Irish Sailing Foundation Youth Sailor of the Year award went to Sienna Wright of Howth Yacht Club following her silver medal at the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships and sixth place at the Youth Worlds.
Sheenagh McNamara of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club received the Women on the Water Award for her work encouraging participation as a junior organiser.
Irish Sailing CEO Tim Bourke said the awards highlighted a strong year for the sport.
“It has been another good year for Irish sailing,” he said. “Both at home and internationally our sailors continue to punch well above their weight.”
“Our awards recognise the people who achieve great things but also the volunteers, officials, parents and organisers who make the sport possible.”
Malahide Yacht Club was named Irish Sailing Club of the Year after hosting the Watersports Inclusion Games.
Norman Kean of the Irish Cruising Club received the Irish Sailing President’s Award for his contribution to cruising and maritime writing.
Michael Conway of the National Yacht Club was named Race Official of the Year.
Cormac MacDonncha of Galway Bay Sailing Club received the Cruiser of the Year award.
Maeve Robinson and Duncan Lyster of the Royal St George Yacht Club won the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Mayo Mayhem was named Event of the Year, with organiser Malcolm Scott accepting the prize for the Achill-based windsurfing competition.
Nicola Harris of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club received the Volunteer of the Year award, while Jane Hunter of Sutton Dinghy Club was named Instructor of the Year.
The Fireball Class was recognised as Class of the Year.
Schull Community College in West Cork won School of the Year, while Atlantic Marine Training in Greystones was named Irish Sailing Training Centre of the Year.
