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Irish Lights has welcomed the announcement of the approval by An Bord Pleánala for the construction of an enhanced visitor experience facilities at Loop Head Lighthouse in Co. Clare.

"We are delighted that approval has been granted for the enhancement of visitor facilities at Loop Head Lighthouse and we congratulate our Great Lighthouses of Ireland partner, Clare County Council," said Yvonne Shields O’ Connor, CEO of Irish Lights.

"This project aligns perfectly with our mission to promote the rich maritime and lighthouse heritage of Ireland, north and south, and provide unforgettable experiences for visitors in a sustainable way. Anyone familiar with Loop Head will know what a unique setting it is and it’s great to see this project get the required approval. "

The Great Lighthouses of Ireland partnership across 17 lighthouse sites delivers 23 unique tourism experiences. The partnership is led by Irish Lights, who founded it in 2015, and is made up of public, private and community sector partners. It delivers an estimated €16.8m in economic benefit annually and supports over 400 direct and indirect jobs in coastal communities. It offers visitors the opportunity to stay at or visit a lighthouse and to enjoy experiences and tours based around the vicinity of the lighthouse.

The project's approval comes after extensive consultation and planning, with a focus on sustainability and conservation. To book your Great Lighthouses of Ireland adventure go to www.greatlighthouses.com

Published in Lighthouses

The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium. 

At A Glance – Half Ton Classics Cup Winners

  • 2017 – Kinsale – Swuzzlebubble – Phil Plumtree – Farr 1977
  • 2016 – Falmouth – Swuzzlebubble – Greg Peck – Farr 1977
  • 2015 – Nieuwport – Checkmate XV – David Cullen – Humphreys 1985
  • 2014 – St Quay Portrieux – Swuzzlebubble – Peter Morton – Farr 1977
  • 2013 – Boulogne – Checkmate XV – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1985
  • 2011 – Cowes – Chimp – Michael Kershaw – Berret 1978
  • 2009 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978
  • 2007 – Dun Laoghaire – Henri-Lloyd Harmony – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1980~
  • 2005 – Dinard – Gingko – Patrick Lobrichon – Mauric 1968
  • 2003 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978

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