Tom MacSweeney
Tom MacSweeney writes a column for Afloat.ie. He is former RTE Marine Correspondent/Presenter of Seascapes and has a monthly Seascapes Podcast on the Community Radio Network and Podcast services
Shannon Foynes Port Company has secured a major regulatory approval for its proposed Foynes Island Deepwater Development Project. The decision clears an important milestone for one of Ireland's most significant planned port infrastructure schemes. The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA)…
While confirming a number of flood relief measures in Cork, as reported on Afloat.ie, Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has left Leeside business people less satisfied with his statement that a tidal barrier to protect Cork City from flooding…
The Marconi Cup, the premier junior team-racing regatta for sailors aged 18 and under will be sailed in Glandore Harbour, West Cork, next Sunday, July 26. Teams from Glandore Harbour Yacht Club, Baltimore, Bantry, Crookhaven and Schull will sail in…
The Bertolleti Trophy Race at Kinsale YC on Friday night, raced in memory of the legendary Club Steward, was won by Stephen Lysaght’s Elan 333 Reavra Too in a corrected time of 48 minutes and 59 seconds under ECHO handicap.…
The Black Tom Trophy Race at Kinsale Yacht Club gets its name from the 'Black Tom' navigational buoy in Courtmacsherry Bay which is a rounding mark in the annual event. The All-In ECHO handicap Spinnaker race is scheduled for this…
MV Matthew Leaves Cork Bound for Black Sea Grain Trade After Three-Year Stay
17th July 2026 Port of Cork
The MV Matthew, the cargo ship at the centre of Ireland's largest-ever drugs seizure, left Cork Harbour under tow on Friday evening, bound for Varna, Bulgaria, where it is expected to undergo refit before returning to commercial service carrying grain…
The refurbished Soviet-era Admiral Nakhimov could become the world's most heavily armed surface warship, serving as the flagship of Russia's Northern Fleet. The ship was first visible in satellite imagery in Kola Bay on June 25. Kola Bay, also called…
After sailing around the world single-handed Cork’s Polish/Irish sailor, Jakub Ziemkiewicz, has decided to change his mind from never racing alone again on such a voyage. He is starting a four-year campaign to enter the McIntyre Golden Globe Race, also…
The Rankin Dinghy 'Worlds' scheduled for this weekend in Cork Harbour have been postponed because forecast weather conditions were considered too severe for the fleet. Organisers said the decision followed discussions with the Officer of the Day. Although the forecast…
Today is the 'Day of the Seafarer,' observed internationally each year on June 25, providing an opportunity to recognise the essential role of seafarers in global trade and the risks they bear in sustaining it. This year, the International Maritime Agency…
The Rankin class returns to the spotlight this weekend when its annual 'World Championships' are staged in Cork Harbour. Hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, the two-day event will bring together one of Ireland's most distinctive traditional…
A new visitor attraction centred on the story of the Fastnet Lighthouse and the maritime heritage of Oileán Cléire is expected to open on Cape Clear Island in 2027. Known as Inis, the project will provide visitors with an introduction…
The number of seafarers abandoned by shipowners globally continues to increase according to two United Nations agencies - the International Maritime Organisation and the International Labour Organisation International Labour Organization (ILO), the latter being the specialised agency dedicated to improving…
Twenty-two boats are entered for this Friday’s Inishtearaght/Skelligs Race, organised by Kinsale Yacht Club and SCORA. The fleet includes defending champion Aurelia (J122), Cristina (NMD43), Blue Oyster (Oyster 37) and double-handed entries such as Katanca, Cinnamon Girl, Valfreya and Mach2.…
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The United Nations agency for the sea has adopted the first-ever international code of safety for the use of autonomous ships. The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee is meeting in London at its 111th session, which…
RMS Leinster Memorial To Be Unveiled in Dun Laoghaire This October
10th May 2026 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
There is finally going to be a permanent memorial to those who died in the sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster on 10th October 1918. It will be unveiled on Saturday, October 10, the RMS Memorial Committee has told its supporters…
Port of Cork has launched a new weekly service route to the United States with global shipping company CMA CGM. The service commenced with the container vessel MV CMA CGM LOUGA sailing from Ringaskiddy Depwater Port. Atlantic Gateway Simon Smith,…
The Chief Executive of Hibernia Line, which has announced a new year-round ferry service between Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour and Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, has said that Ireland has been over-reliant on East Coast ports to carry freight to Europe.…
There will be a hundred events across Cork City and the harbour towns during the Cork Harbour Festival from May 30 to June 8. Niamh Glavin and Izzy Prendergast promote Cork Harbour Festival 2026. Photo: Clare Keogh Details of those…
A five-year plan for the future of Cork Port, described as a a "clear strategy" by the company's Chief Executive; has been launched. The Corporate Strategy has four major points - People, Infrastructure, Business and 'Planet,' to "power future growth,…
