Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

The Red Bull Flugtag celebrates its 100th event in Dun Laoghaire next Sunday, and organisers have posted details for spectators planning to spend the day cheering on those magnificent flying machines! http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/dun-laoghaire-news/item/15214-dublin-to-host-100th-red-bull-flugtag/ http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/dun-laoghaire-news/ The site for the free event will…

Irish sailing bosses are determined to "stand on the podium" at the 2012 Olympic Games. http://www.afloat.ie/sail/ http://www.afloat.ie/sail/events/olympics-2012/ That was the message from last week's briefing by Ireland's four Olympic 'water sports' of canoeing, rowing, swimming and sailing, covered in The…

The Irish Underwater Council (ICU) says injuries in sports diving are increasing, the Irish Examiner reports. http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/diving/ Some 12 of a total of 61 registered incidents last year caused injury to divers. Other incidents included near-misses between boats, divers going…

RTÉ News reported recently on the shocking sight of a stag with a lifebuoy caught in its antlers near Glendalough, Co Wicklow. http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0504/glendalough.html Images captured by startled onlookers near the Poulanass Waterfall show the stag with the lifebuoy and line…

laine 'Shooter' Alexander has already passed Dublin in her challenge to circumnavigate Ireland by kayak. http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/canoeing/item/15418-shooter-gets-ready-to-kayak-round-ireland/ Just 10 days into her solo voyage and Elaine has already reached Greystones in Co Wicklow. But she still has a long way to…

This week's edition of Seascapes on RTÉ Radio 1 features accounts of two very different voyages across the Atlantic. Presenter Marcus Connaughton hears from Pat Hanafin who is currently crossing the pond on board the US Coast Guard clipper Eagle,…

Ten lucky participants in the UK's National Fishing Month events will have a chance to win a day's fishing with Commonwealth gold medalist Dean Macey. "‘I am more than happy to give up my time to encourage newcomers into this…

Ballyvergan marsh is under threat after the discovery of an illegal pipe being used to drain the wetlands area, claims Coastwatch. The Irish Times reports that the environmental group has called for immediate action over the draining of the marsh…

The US Coast Guard cutter Eagle has set sail on its 75th anniversary voyage to Europe - with Ireland being its first port of call. Captain Eric C Jones, who pilots the US Coast Guard's training vessel and goodwill ambassador,…

A Donegal businessman is fronting a new campaign that seeks a more positive and direct approach to supporting harbour businesses. John Shine - who spearheads the 'Fishing for Jobs' campaign - has accused the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food…

Inland Fisheries Ireland has implemented 'no dip no draw' policy to prevent the spread of invasive species in Ireland's inland waters. The policy, developed by the Irish Angling Development Alliance and endorsed by all affiliated clubs, aims to prevent Irish…

Entries are now open for young canoeists to take part on the 2011 Junior Liffey Descent. The race kicks off at 1pm on Saturday 28 May on the River Liffey running from Salmon Leap Canoe Club in Leixlip to the…

Britain's shadow transport secretary has branded a "shambles" plans to reform the UK coastguard service that could see the closure of Northern Ireland's only dedicated search and rescue base. The Belfast Telegraph reports that Labour's Maria Eagle questioned Secretary of…

Kinsale Yacht Club (KYC) held an information meeting last Tuesday to discuss the situation of its aging clubhouse ahead of a planned EGM later this month. Structural problems were previously discussed at a club meeting last November, at which a…

Developing marinas on the Cork coastline is a top priority for county manager Martin Riordan. Speaking to the Evening Echo recently, Riordan outlined plans to exploit tourism for job creation, focusing on Cork Harbour and the county's 680 miles of…

In The Irish Times on Thursday, Tim Sweetman from Islandbridge writes that steam trains could add a touch of old-fashioned glamour to the Tall Ships Races in Waterford this summer. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2011/0505/1224296146080.html "Perhaps Irish Rail and the Railway Preservation Society might…

A marina on the banks of the Shannon in Co Offaly could be yours for €1.5 million. Shamrock Marina, just downstream from Banagher, offers mooring space for around 100 boats during the summer months, but has the potential and space…

Ever dreamt of owning your own coastguard station? Now you have the chance! The Old Coastguard Station in Dromard, Co Sligo is an historic five-bedroom property on seven acres with 1,000ft of sea frontage and stunning views across Sligo Bay,…

Currach teams from around Ireland came together in Galway Bay last weekend for the revival of the An Tóstal Fesival, the Irish Times reports. Up to 10,000 spectators are believed to have watched the nine Galway hookers brave the winds…

The body of the Irish student backpacker who drowned while scuba diving in Australia recently was returned to her family yesterday. As previously reported on Afloat.ie 23-year-old Elaine Morrow from Ballintra, Co Donegal, had been on a beginner's diving course…