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Irish Sailing Association (ISA) Updates on the National Governing Body
Further Lifting of COVID Restrictions from 29th June
This evening An Taoiseach announced plans to “accelerate the reopening of our society and economy with most things in roadmap now being moved to Phase 3 on 29 June”. Although the statement included a commitment for all sporting activities including…
Irish Sailing’s Local Race Officer Course Goes Online
Irish Sailing president — and National Race Officer — David O’Brien will present an online Local Race Officer Course starting Monday evening 8 June. The course runs on two nights, Monday 8 and Monday 15 June from 6pm to 9pm,…
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced Phase 2 plans will go ahead on Monday
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced that plans to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions are being accelerated and the country will move to 'Phase 2 Plus' on Monday 8th June. Irish Sailing, as the national governing body for the sport, has issued its…
Harry Hermon Irish Sailing CEO
The Government have established an ‘Expert Group’ with representatives from the Department, Sport Ireland and Sporting Bodies to help with consistency in the approach for returning to sport. Irish Sailing is now working with this group for clarity around the…
Download the 'Return to Sailing' plan below
Harry Hermon, Irish Sailing Chief Executive, has published the "Return to Sailing” Scheme today (May 12 2020). The PDF document is downloadable below. The CEO says:  The Phase 1 Guidelines from the “Return to Sailing” Scheme are designed to support…
Irish Sailing chief executive Harry Hermon
Irish Sailing says it is “seeking clarification” from the Department of Sport as it drafts a plan ahead of the first phase of coronavirus restrictions easing from 18 May. Chief executive Harry Hermon says the governing body for boating in…
Covid-19 Fundraising Scam in Name of Irish Sailing
It has come to the attention of Irish Sailing that an email is circulating, seeking funds to support Covid-19 front line workers and is purporting to be from Irish Sailing’s President. Please be advised this has NOT come from 'Irish…
Book Now For Irish Sailing’s Umpire Webinar This Saturday
Umpiring is the subject of Irish Sailing’s latest webinar via Zoom, this Saturday 2 May. Delivered by international umpires Cxema Pico and Chris Lindsay, the three-hour course from 10am is for anyone interested in team racing and becoming an umpire…
Irish Sailing Submit 'Return to Sailing' Document to Government
Since the Covid-19 shutdown commenced, Irish Sailing has been communicating on behalf of our members with various government stakeholders to present a case for our sport to be viewed as a ‘low risk’ activity, so that we will be allowed…
Irish Sailing President David O'Brien
Yesterday marked my first month as President of Irish Sailing. My election as President came about in the most surreal of circumstances, at an AGM on 21st March attended only by Jack Roy as outgoing President and Harry Hermon as…
Irish Sailing Hosts Free Racing Results Webinar This Weekend
Irish Sailing is hosting a free racing results webinar this coming Saturday 25 April from 10am. Hosted by Ian Bowring and Dara Totterdell via the video conferencing platform Zoom, the three-hour webinar is designed to help you: become fully confident…
Covid-19 Update – Irish Sailing Drawing Up Proposals for a Return to Sailing When Restrictions are Lifted
Since the Taoiseach announced full restrictions and closure of clubs and activity centres last month, with the latest update being the continuance of full restrictions until at least May 5th, Irish Sailing has been looking ahead to the process by…
Irish eSailing National Championship is Launched
Irish Sailing has teamed up with World Sailing and Virtual Regatta, the leading digital sailing platform, to launch the Irish eSailing National Championship. “Virtual Regatta Inshore” is a free-to-play game available online or as an app, and at 10 am…
Galway Bay Sailing Club
Since the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) the situation has quickly evolved, and now we are realising the global perspective of the pandemic. Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of communication and information shared within the Irish…
Irish Sailing Virtual Meetings of Clubs Discuss COVID-19 Crisis
A total of 37 Category One Irish Sailing Clubs attended a series of virtual meetings hosted by Irish Sailing. The aim was to introduce David O’Brien – Irish Sailing’s new President, to communicate further updates and clarify existing matters arising…
Irish Sailing Office Closes Following Government Covid-19 Measures
Following the Government’s “Stay At Home” for two weeks announcement, the Irish Sailing office will be closed and some of the Irish Sailing services will be unavailable. Irish Sailing staff will all continue to work remotely and are available on…

Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.