Tom MacSweeney
Tom MacSweeney writes a weekly column for Afloat.ie. He also presents the maritime radio programme This Island Nation on community radio stations around Ireland.
The last competitor still at sea of the eighteen yachts which started the Golden Globe Race last July is not expected to finish back in France until the middle of May. Finnish sailor Tapio Lehtinen is in fifth place in…
Cork Port Company says that mooring and boating fees for use of the harbour will all be reinvested in the marine leisure sector. They are being increased for this year. The port has increased the charges for having a mooring…
Sailing and yacht clubs should start appointing Sustainability Officers and every club and boat should immediately “kick out” single-use plastics from every aspect of their sport – both aboard and ashore. That is the view of one of Ireland’s top…
Dragons To Race in the Sovereign's Cup For The First Time at Kinsale
27th February 2019 Tom MacSweeney
For the first time, Dragons will sail in the Sovereigns Cup at Kinsale this June, even though they have been part of the club for over 20 years. “Yes, it’s surprising that they haven’t been in it before, but they…
Is Your Boating Equipment Protected? Forcing a Change at Irish Water & The Battle on Dalkey Island
22nd February 2019 Tom MacSweeney
Thefts of outboard motors and break-ins to boats on moorings were prevalent a couple of years ago. My own boat suffered nearly €6,000 of damage and theft when it was broken into on the mooring at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour…
RNLI: A Centenary for Baltimore, New Lifeboats for Clogherhead & Wicklow & Crosshaven Needs Volunteers
14th February 2019 Tom MacSweeney
When Baltimore Lifeboat Station in West Cork was established the First World War was raging in Europe. That was back in 1915 when the original station was built, but due to the War no lifeboat arrived in Baltimore until 1919…
Yachts are marvels of engineering…. So I have been told – many times – at boat shows; by designers; builders; by sales staff; by sailors, amateur and professional; by proud owners….. Yachts are also nice to look at … I’ve…
I enjoyed watching world sailing history being made this week as 73-year-old Jean-Luc Van Den Heede became the oldest man ever to complete and win a solo non-stop round-the-world race. After 212 days alone at sea he won the Golden…
Dublin Port's Ringsend & Poolbeg on the River Liffey – Resonant of Seafaring
23rd January 2019 Tom MacSweeney
Two of my favourite waterside places along the Liffey are in Dublin Port – Ringsend and Poolbeg. The maritime history of Ringsend is part of the marine story of Ireland, an area resonant of seafaring history and Poolbeg Yacht and…
Joseph Conrad wrote many stories and novels with a nautical setting, based on his time in the British and French merchant marine and in the old sailing ships. They depict trials of the human spirit and one of his memorable…
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast …. Tom MacSweeney here …. Ireland’s State commitment to maritime safety has been strongly questioned. Safety must not be taken casually and, at the start of a New Year, when most leisure craft…
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast …. Tom MacSweeney here …. The Royal Cork Yacht Club at Crosshaven is launching a new initiative to bridge the gap between dinghy and keelboat racing following the success of its Under 25 Academy…
Round-the-World Sailing: 'You’ve Reached South Africa & You’re Nearly Home!'
28th December 2018 Tom MacSweeney
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast …. Tom MacSweeney here …. The Christmas and New Year festive period is a time for memories – or so it is traditionally said – and there are a few which were brought…
How High Does the Marine Leisure Sector Rate in Brexit Preparations?
20th December 2018 Tom MacSweeney
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast …. Tom MacSweeney here …. The reality of Ireland as an island nation is becoming more publicly apparent with each passing day as the possibility of a ‘no deal’ Brexit looms closer. Our…
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast …. Tom MacSweeney here …. The last race of the Winter League ended the sailing season in Cork Harbour ….. Around the country, December racing, for those still with the ability and determination…
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast …. Tom MacSweeney here …. “I intend to promote sailing in general and also to promote coastal offshore racing.” That was the declaration of Johanna Murphy from the Great Island Sailing Club in…
Lady Min Restoration: The Attraction of Boats in the Life of a Family
28th November 2018 Tom MacSweeney
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast …. Tom MacSweeney here …. There is a great lot to be said about the pride of a family in a boat and there is nothing wrong with being old when age is…
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast …. Tom MacSweeney here ….Getting more younger sailors into cruiser classes is vital to ensure the future of racing these yachts. From meeting with and talking to club officers around the country, it…
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast …. Tom MacSweeney here …. As Winter approaches and onshore activity at clubs begins to focus on annual meetings, conversation topics, I find, seem to focus on perennial issues about the state of…
Hello and welcome to my weekly Podcast ….Tom MacSweeney here…. The three Cork Harbour yacht clubs – the Royal Cork at Crosshaven, Monkstown Bay and Great Island Sailing Clubs – have decided that the format of a combined clubs racing…
