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Betty Armstrong

Betty Armstrong

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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

Fourteen Humboldt Penguins from the Curraghs Wildlife Park in the Isle of Man are settling well in their new home in Strangford Lough
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…
Robin Eagleson, J24 sailor from Lough Erne
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…
Carrybridge Atlantic 85 and the RNLI Rescue Water Craft
 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…
Tim Murphy (right) and Shannon Clawson (left)  handed over cheques to Rosie Maguire, Action Mental Health and Stephen Scott (second left) from the RNLI
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 Technologies has unveiled the world's most advanced marine simulator at its base in Northern Ireland. Pictured, from left, Philip Crain, Real-Time Simulation Manager and Dr Iain Percy OBE, CEO
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…
Shannon Falcone is Trimmer/Grinder on Luna Rossa and has Irish roots
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,…
Portaferry and Bangor Coastguard Rescue Teams during Strangford Lough Mud and Water rescue training
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…
The Sir Thomas Lipton Memorial 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 Lifeguards are recruiting
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…
BBC1's Bloodlands stars James Nesbitt and was filmed on Srangford Lough
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…
North Down Borough Council plans to create within the harbour a 'recreational area' (in blue) outside of the inner portion but still within harbour limits
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…
Racing at a previous edition of 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…
Murlough Beach Co Down
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…
The 15,000-ton RRS Sir David Attenborough
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…
Diving in Strangford Lough
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…
The car on the beach at Strangford Lough
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.…
Scottish Series Organisers Survey Sailors Ahead of May's Regatta
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…
Annalong Harbour's North Pier - the Grade 2 listed structure is in need of restoration
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…
Donaghadee Harbour on thre County Down coast
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,…
Racing at the 2019 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,…
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