Irish-Built Golden Oldie’s Round Ireland Achievement

Irish-Built Golden Oldie’s Round Ireland Achievement – All Will Be Revealed!

5th March 2019

One of the most unusual achievements of 2018’s Irish sailing season was the veteran gaff-rigged ketch Maybird’s completion of the Volvo Round Ireland Race writes W M Nixon. Built by Tyrrell of Arklow in 1937, the 43ft Maybird was superbly restored by owner Darryl Hughes between 2009 and 2011, and since then she has made many successful voyages. But the 704-mile Round Ireland Race 2018 – with its notorious reputation for hundreds of miles of rugged windward work – presented an extra non-stop challenge.

"So why is it called “Slyne Head or Bust”? That we can reveal".

Yet they did it. They may have taken quite a bit of time to do it, but they did it. And you can learn all about it – and much more – at Poolbeg Y & BC in Ringsend in the heart of Dublin on Tuesday, March 12th at 8.0pm, courtesy of the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association, admission €5 and all takings going to the Lifeboats.

So why is it called “Slyne Head or Bust”? That we can reveal. Racing Round Ireland from Wicklow, once Slyne Head is astern, you’re on the home stretch. No matter how worn down you are, the handiest way back to Wicklow is to just keep on racing. Simple, really.

Published in Historic Boats

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Round Ireland Yacht Race

About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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