Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Golden Globe Race leader Damien Guillou has emerged from a severe South Atlantic storm, still leading the solo round-the-world race after diverting north to avoid the most dangerous conditions. The French skipper, sailing the Rustler 36 Solarem, encountered winds of around 40…
A sustainability business forum in Dún Laoghaire on Friday, 30 October, will explore opportunities in the blue economy, including offshore energy, coastal enterprise, and all-island collaboration. The Sustainable Business Exchange – Enterprise, Innovation & Blue Economy Dialogue, organised by Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown…
The legendary 100-foot maxi Comanche is returning to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race under a new name, Tribeca LOYAL, with Australian skipper Anthony Bell targeting line honours and potentially another race record. Bell's campaign brings together experienced offshore sailors, including Olympic gold medallist and…
East Antrim Boat Club will celebrate Mel Morris and Ger Owens’ GP14 World Championship victory at its Champions Night in Larne on Saturday, 14 November. The club has extended an invitation to members of the GP14 class to join the…
A 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 29.2 sailing cruiser, owned from new and never raced, has come onto the market in Howth, Co. Dublin, with an asking price of €24,500. The 8.8-metre (29ft) yacht lies in Howth Marina and its owner…
Thirteen skippers will set off from Saint-Malo on November 1st in the Vintage Multi class of the 2026 Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, bringing together historic multihulls that have shaped offshore racing over nearly five decades. The fleet recalls a…
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Capital Opens: A Chance for Irish Sailing Clubs to Renew Their Training Fleets
27th October 2026 INSS
With the new Community Sport Facilities Fund now open, Irish RS distributor MarineServices.ie is urging sailing clubs to look at fleet renewal, safety boat repowering and the move to electric power. The Government's Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), the successor…
The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) has issued a partial grant of maritime area consent to Donegal County Council for a proposed tidal swimming pool and elevated coastal walkway at Buncrana Harbour on Lough Swilly, adding to plans for the…
Owners of Stena Line Signs Agreement to Acquire Scandinavian Operator Color Line
27th October 2026 Stena Line
The industrial Group Stena AB, of Sweden, and the ferry owner of Stena Line have entered into an agreement to acquire the Norwegian shipping company Color Line, subject to regulatory approval. The transaction will bring together two companies with complementary…
PredictWind has launched a new artificial intelligence marine technology feature designed to help offshore sailors choose the best departure window and prepare for conditions at sea. The new AI Weather Router, launched on Monday, 26 October, turns complex weather routing…
DLR Confirms Green Kite Funding for West Pier Eco Pontoon
27th October 2026 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has confirmed that a proposed floating ecological pontoon inside the West Pier at Dún Laoghaire Harbour is an initiative involving Irish non-profit Amazon Aquaponics, Dún Laoghaire Sea Scouts and the council's Harbour Section. The council has…
Route du Rhum 2026: 49 Class40 Skippers Ready to Race Including Ireland's Pamela Lee
26th October 2026 La Route du Rhum Race
Wicklow offshore sailor Pamela Lee faces a formidable challenge in the Class40 fleet at the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, with 49 solo skippers preparing to start off Saint-Malo on Sunday, 1st November. Lee, sailing EmpowHer, is preparing to become the first…
The 2026 World Sailing Awards will return to the international stage in Qingdao, China, next month, a year after Dún Laoghaire hosted the ceremony at which the late French offshore racing star Charlie Dalin was named Rolex World Sailor of…
The IRC Congress has approved a series of rule changes for 2027 and outlined a six-year strategy for the international yacht rating system, including plans for improved digital services and a new technical assurance framework for high-performance racing. The annual…
Former Scottish Lighthouse Tender Now Floating Hotel Named 'Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel'
26th October 2026 Lighthouses
A former Northern Lighthouse Board tender now a luxury floating hotel in Leith, Edinburgh, has been crowned Europe's leading boutique hotel at this year’s World Travel Awards. The NLV Fingal was built in the 1960s and was the last ship…
Dublin City Council is seeking public feedback on its Sandymount Flood Alleviation Scheme, with a second public participation day on Thursday, October 29th. The proposals concern coastal flood risks in Dublin Bay. The event marks the start of a four-week…
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Opens €1.8m Tender for St Michael's Pier Repairs
26th October 2026 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has opened a €1.8 million works tender for repairs to the supporting piles at St Michael's Pier in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The tender, published on 22 October 2026, seeks a contractor to undertake remedial repairs to…
The US visitor who nearly lost his life after a wave swept him off the middle ledge at Poll na bPéist, Inis Mór, last month has described the details of his rescue. As he recounts in an interview with RTÉ…
Major Milestone in Visitor Engagement for Portrush Coastal Zone
26th October 2026 Northern Ireland Waters
A record-breaking number of visitors came through the doors of the Portrush Coastal Zone in 2026 to learn about Northern Ireland’s marine environment, new figures have revealed. A total of 61,315 visitors visited the centre, which features interactive exhibits about…
The Department of Transport has been advised that Gas Networks Ireland will conduct remotely operated vehicle (ROV) survey operations in the northwest Irish Sea along the pipelines of the Irish Sea Gas Interconnector. These will be followed by maintenance interventions…
