Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Carlingford Oyster Company Eyes European Market Growth After Brexit-Related Grant
2nd May 2024 Aquaculture
A Co Louth oyster company has invested €535,000 in an upgrade with the support of a €142,000 grant under the Brexit Sustainable Aquaculture Growth Scheme. The award-winning Carlingford Oyster Company, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is producing 2,500…
Ryan Publishes "Future Framework" for ORE, and Draft DMAP for South Coast Due Friday
2nd May 2024 Power From the Sea
The Government has published its “Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy” (ORE), which includes 29 key actions to develop the State’s plan-led approach to offshore wind. A draft designated maritime area plan (DMAP) for the Irish south coast is due…
A photograph taken by an Irish marine biologist will feature in a new set of stamps from the US Post Office celebrating sea turtles. As the Irish Independent reports, Rowan Byrne snapped his picture some 18 years ago while working…
Afloat.ie regrets to record the death of Don Street of Glandore in his 94th year. For many years a Caribbean enthusiast, writing a series of successful pioneering pilot books for the area, he was also a renowned authority on ocean…
On Wednesday evening, 22 boats turned out for the second Water Wag race of the AIB DBSC 2024 season at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Race Officer Tadgh Donnelly set a three round windward/leeward course in a six-knot ESE’ly breeze. The strong…
Royal Cork’s Admiral Annamarie Fegan & Nieulargo Crew are Sailors of the Month (Inshore) for April
1st May 2024 Sailor of the Month
The Royal Cork YC’s Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo is always a busy boat, and usually successful too. But things are in over-drive for 2024 and 2025, as co-owner-skipper Annamarie Fegan - aka Mrs Denis Murphy - is also the RCYC’s…
Most offshore sailors would be well pleased to have notched their season’s start with a win in April, but Howth’s Simon Knowles goes into May with two bullets already in the bag for the J/109 Indian in the first races…
Dun Laoghaire’s Clementine van Steenberge and Jessica Riordan are Sailors of the Month (Youth) For April
1st May 2024 Sailor of the Month
The nuclear fusion generated by the focus of elite 29er training in Dun Laoghaire – currently centred on the National YC with Thomas Chaix – meant that the class was one of those that elected to have a four-day series…
'Frustrated' Mid-Fleet Tom Dolan Seeks Strong Offshore Race Finish at the Solo Maître CoQ
1st May 2024 Tom Dolan
Irish offshore solo sailor Tom Dolan is currently sitting in 14th place (results downloadable below as a pdf) from 34 starters at the Solo Maître CoQ Figaro circuit event in France’s Vendée region. Dolan expressed his 'frustration' after the second…
Bronze Famine Shoes Set to Embark on Historic Journey to Canada Aboard the Marine Institute’s Research Vessel Celtic Explorer
1st May 2024 Marine Science
The Bronze Famine Shoes, an iconic representation of Ireland’s historic Famine Heritage Trail will soon be making their way across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada aboard the Marine Institute’s Research Vessel Celtic Explorer. The symbolic sculptures, crafted by artist Alannah…
Waverley Awarded ‘National Flagship of the Year’ Is Among NHS-UK 2024 Flagships of the Year
1st May 2024 Historic Boats
Four historic vessels from around the UK have been chosen as this year's Flagships of the Year by National Historic Ships UK, the official voice for historic vessels in the country. The annual Flagship Awards, which have been running since…
Irish Schools Team Racing Championships 2024: St. Andrew's One Crowned Leinster Champions
1st May 2024 Team Racing
On Sunday 21st April, the Royal Saint George Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire Harbour hosted the Irish Schools Team Racing Association (ISTRA) Leinster Championships. The event saw 16 teams from 12 schools around Leinster compete in a Team Racing event,…
Promoted
The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is a Division within the Irish Maritime Directorate of the Department of Transport. Its mission is to deliver a world-class search and rescue, maritime casualty, and pollution response service. The IRCG currently have six vacancies…
Former Lighthouse Tender in Scotland Named One of the Best Hotels in the World
1st May 2024 Historic Boats
Near the Scottish capital is berthed a historic former lighthouse tender which has been named one of the best hotels in the world at the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. Fingal, which is the name of the luxury floating hotel, is…
The Mirror dinghy season kicked off with a bang as 13 boats landed in Blessington Lake Sailing Club; a little apprehensive about how the weekend would unfold but certainly excited to get back afloat. There were some new faces and…
Kinvara Harbour Hosts Fleadh na gCuach This May Bank Holiday Weekend
1st May 2024 Maritime Festivals
Fleadh na gCuach or the Cuckoo Fleadh will transform the south Galway Harbour of Kinvara over this coming May bank holiday weekend. The traditional music and community-based art festival is known for its vibrant ambiance and exceptional talent, attracting musicians…
New Tourism Ireland Campaign Invites German Holidaymakers to Explore Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and the River Shannon
1st May 2024 Aquatic Tourism
Tourism Ireland in Germany is rolling out a new campaign to promote Ireland’s Hidden Hidden Heartlands and cruising holidays on the River Shannon. This year, 240 inland cruisers on the Shannon are switching to sustainable HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuel,…
As of today (1 May), Dennis Tetzlaff is Stena Line’s new Chief Operating Officer Fleet, and he joins the group management team. Dennis Tetzlaff enters his new role with a wealth of experience, having worked in various professions within the…
Coulter, Kingston and Cronin Lead The Way at 2024 ILCA Connaught Championships on Lough Ree
1st May 2024 Laser
Light winds in Lough Ree did not stop the ILCA fleet from completing two days of very tight racing in 5 to 10 knots. In stereotypical lake sailing weather, the light northerly breeze kept all three fleets with their heads…
Call for 2025 & 2026 Applications for Ship Time on Ireland’s Research Vessels Now Open
1st May 2024 Marine Science
Applications are currently being accepted for ship time on Ireland’s national marine science research vessels in 2025 and 2026. In addition to the RV Tom Crean and RV Celtic Explorer, time is also offered on the ROV Holland I as…