Betty Armstrong
Betty Armstrong is Afloat and Yachting Life's Northern Ireland Correspondent. Betty grew up racing dinghies but now sails a more sedate Dehler 36 around County Down
Humboldt Penguins Arrive at Exploris Aquarium on Strangford Lough
23rd March 2021 Northern Ireland Waters
Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry on Strangford Lough has welcomed new residents. Fourteen Humboldt Penguins from the Curraghs Wildlife Park in the Isle of Man are settling well in their new home. Exploris illustrates and exhibits the large variety of animals…
Lough Erne Yacht Club historian, Michael Clarke reported yesterday via social media the death of Robin Eagleson who passed away on board his motor yacht, October Dream. It was only a few months ago that he suffered the sad loss…
Only a few days after Carrybridge RNLI which operates on Upper Lough Erne, received a generous donation from the Enniskillen Royal Boat Club, its Atlantic 85 Inshore lifeboat answered a shout yesterday (7th) to help a vessel with two people onboard…
Enniskillen Royal Boat Club Rowers Donate to Carrybridge RNLI on Lough Erne
7th March 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
It’s 580 km from Malin Head to Mizen Head and this was the distance covered by members of the Enniskillen Royal Boat Club in a fund-raising virtual row in aid of the Carrybridge RNLI on Lough Erne and Action Mental…
Artemis Unveils 'World's Most Advanced' Marine Simulator Unveiled on Belfast Lough
4th March 2021 Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough based Artemis Technologies, which is leading a programme to develop a new class of zero-emission high-speed vessels, has unveiled the world's most advanced marine simulator in Northern Ireland. The simulator represents a multi-million-pound investment over the past decade…
As well as the connection forged through the presentation of the Sir Thomas Lipton Memorial Cup by Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Belfast Lough to the 36th America's Cup challenging team's yacht club, the Circolo Della Vela Sicilia Yacht Club,…
Coastguard Teams in Mud & Water Rescue Training in Strangford Lough
1st March 2021 Northern Ireland Waters
Portaferry Coastguard Rescue team was joined by the Bangor team for joint mud and water rescue training in Strangford Lough on Sunday, 28th February. The Dorn at Ardkeen was the location for the mud training. The word Dorn, from the…
Royal Ulster's John Taylor Presents the Sir Thomas Lipton Memorial Cup in Auckland
25th February 2021 America's Cup
Since 1970 it has been the tradition that Royal Ulster Yacht Club in Bangor on Belfast Lough, presents the Sir Thomas Lipton Memorial Cup to the America's Cup Challenger's Yacht Club. When the first Challenger series was run in that…
RNLI are Recruiting Lifeguards for the Causeways Coast & County Down Beaches
25th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
RNLI Portrush has posted that RNLI Lifeguards are recruiting and applications are open for 2021. If you have a National Vocational Beach Lifeguard qualification and are interested in joining a dynamic, well-trained team responsible for keeping beach users safe around…
Bloodlands is a new crime thriller following DCI Tom Brannick, played by Co Antrim born actor James Nesbitt and filmed in Northern Ireland, principally in Strangford Lough. It's a classic Jed Mercurio executive produced thriller written by Chris Brandon who…
Donaghadee Harbour Recreation Area Proposals Receive Mixed Response
21st February 2021 Irish Harbours
The opinion is divided in Donaghadee about the Ards and North Down Borough Council plans to create within the harbour a 'recreational area' outside of the inner portion but still within harbour limits. The recreational area would be a safe…
June's Bangor Town Sailing Regatta on Belfast Lough is Cancelled
19th February 2021 Bangor Town Regatta
Northern Ireland's biggest sailing event, Bangor Town Regatta, scheduled for June has been cancelled due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. The Belfast Lough biennial event has sadly joined the queue of cancelled sailing events this year. Chairman of the BTR Organising…
Newcastle Lifeboat's First Shout of 2021 as Teenage Girls Cut Off by the Tide on Murlough Beach
17th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
The first shout of 2021 for the Newcastle RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was a call out from Belfast Coastguard just before 3 pm today to reports of two teenage girls cut off by the tide on Murlough Beach.The beach is a…
RRS Sir David Attenborough off the North Coast of Ireland Today
15th February 2021 Northern Ireland Waters
If you're on the North Coast of Ireland today keep an eye out for the RRS Sir David Attenborough says RSPB Rathlin Island Reserve. This ship is the UK's brand new polar research vessel, and it will be off the…
As part of the Northern Ireland Science Festival this year, the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) is offering two Virtual Dives which will take you on an underwater journey above the seabed in Strangford Lough. The dates are…
Belfast Coastguard Rescue Team responded yesterday (8th February) to reports of a car which had left the road near Newtownards Sailing Club, just a few miles outside the town on the loughshore road to Portaferry There were three people inside.…
After Clyde Cruising Club decided to move the Scottish Series to the Clyde for 2021, the CCC team is working on the race programme. And in a recent communication to those boat owners having registered interest, a 'location survey' asks…
Easterly Storm Damage at Annalong Harbour, Ulster's Last Schooner Port
7th February 2021 Irish Harbours
Annalong Harbour lies on the South Down coast with the Mourne Mountains' stunning backdrop and was famous as a centre of the herring industry. As reported by BBC News, it was also an export point for the famous Mourne Granite…
Plans are afoot to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the building of the present harbour at Donaghadee, a small port on the north coast of County Down, but unearthing the Time Capsule, buried 24 feet below the pier during construction,…
Ongoing Restrictions Means Clyde Cruising Club to Discuss May's 2021 Scottish Series Regatta - 95 Boats Already Entered
27th January 2021 Scottish Series
Following the earliest ever opening of registration for the Clyde Cruising Club's Scottish Series 2021, ninety-five boats had entered by Monday last for the event scheduled for 28th till 31st May at Tarbert on Loch Fyne in South West Argyll,…