Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Sailing in West Cork for the past couple of weeks and more seems to have been elevated onto a new plane of meaning and enjoyment, with events around the traditional Baltimore Regatta on the Bank Holiday weekend (July 31st-August 2nd)…
An eight-person Irish squad departs next week for the 2026 Team Racing World Championship in Stockholm, where teams from 12 nations will compete on supplied J/80 keelboats in one of sailing's fastest-paced disciplines. Representing Irish Sailing, the team combines international…
Although there is not a specifically Irish boat in the 30-plus fleet starting on Sunday August 9th from Cowes in the Golden Jubilee of the 1800-mile RORC quadrennial circuit of Britain and Ireland, there are Irish crews to be found…
Clogherhead RNLI came to the aid of a fishing trawler that was taking on water just half a nautical mile east of the station's boathouse on Wednesday afternoon. The Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Michael O'Brien launched at 3.15 pm with…
At a reception onboard THV Patricia on 2 August to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Cowes Week, HRH The Princess Royal announced the names of Trinity House’s new vessels of the ‘Future Afloat’ fleet renewal programme contract awarded on 22…
Creme de la Creme emerged as the standout performer as Kinsale Yacht Club's Denis & Mary Ryan Car Sales TGIF Series Two concluded after five races of close cruiser racing. Sunshine and competitive sailing marked the series, with trophies decided…
Female duo Judy Moynihan and Therese Loesberg sailing their Laser II won Monkstown Bay Sailing Club’s July League in Cork Harbour. With three wins of the eight races in the series, they took the top prize in Class 1 for…
A mother and her two sons from Arranmore Island are preparing to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to raise funds for the RNLI. Team Trasna na dTonnta, made up of Sharon and her sons Evan and Glenn, will…
Wallenius SOL Acquires Two Ships from Wagenborg & Signs Contract with Smurfit Westrock
7th August 2026 Ports & Shipping
Swedish-based Wallenius SOL acquired two ro-ro ships from Royal Wagenborg, together with a long-term Contract of Affreightment (CoA) with Smurfit Westrock, Europe's largest kraftliner mill, located in Piteå in the Nordic nation. The agreement marks a significant step in Wallenius SOL's…
Sheep wool is key to making seaweed farming plastic-free, according to engineers from Queen’s University Belfast. The experts have been working on an innovative project for the last two years in a bid to drive forward sustainability in the industry.…
RORC Race Heavyweights Set for 50th Anniversary Round Britain and Ireland Race
7th August 2026 Rd Britain & Ireland
The leading contenders for line honours and class victories have been revealed ahead of Sunday's start of the 50th RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race. A fleet of 33 boats will set off from Cowes on 9 August to tackle…
Gaff rig enthusiasts will find their reward this weekend on two coastlines, along Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard at Kinvara on Galway Bay, and along the East Coast at Howth. Kinvara in the southeast corner of Galway Bay will see the traditional…
The battle for honours at Quintas Capital Calves Week 2026 will go down to Friday's final race after another closely contested day on the waters of Roaringwater Bay left several championships delicately poised. Thursday's lighter westerly breeze provided a marked…
Thursday evening (August 6th) belonged to the tide rather than the breeze as the AIB Dublin Bay Sailing Club cruiser fleets battled increasingly difficult conditions. Light and highly variable winds of less than five knots, combined with a strengthening ebb…
Royal Irish Yacht Club sailor Saskia Tidey has moved into the overall lead of the 49erFX fleet at the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta in California, the official test venue for the sailing competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic…
MS Ireland and Oceans of Hope are seeking participants for a “try sailing” day off South Connemara on August 21st.As Afloat has reported, the Irish branch of Oceans of Hope was initiated by Kerryman Stephen Fitzpatrick, who has sailed in…
Plans to redevelop Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough into a major watersports centre have entered the formal planning process. The application, LA06/2026/0450/F, has been lodged with Ards and North Down Borough Council following the project’s public unveiling in October…
Ferry operator Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSPCo) says it’s ‘continuing to explore options’ to charter in vessels to provide support over the summer period. The move comes after the 24,000-ton flagship Manxman was taken off service until the…
The ARC Baltic rally has returned after a six-year absence, with a fleet of cruising yachts completing a 1,000-nautical-mile voyage through some of northern Europe's best-known cruising grounds. Organised by the World Cruising Club, the rally began in Kiel, Germany,…
The Aran Islands RNLI has celebrated a major milestone after its Severn class lifeboat David Kirkaldy completed its 1,000th launch. The volunteer crew was tasked on Tuesday evening (4th of August) to carry out a medical evacuation from Inis Mór.…
