Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Coastwatch has claimed that a ministerial order for the protection of sand dunes in Co Wexford is being breached, The Irish Times reports. The order was made in January by former environment minister John Gormley to protect the Tinnaberna dunes…

The union representing coastguard staff in the UK has expressed its fears over the loss of air rescue services when a number of helicopters are transferred to Ireland next year. Under CHC's €500m contract to provide search and rescue services…

Ireland's free provision of air-sea rescue services to Northern Ireland could be in jeopardy if the Bangor coastguard centre is closed, a DUP MP has warned. In today's Belfast Telegraph, Strangford's Jim Shannon said that loss of the cross-border relationship…

Ireland's first ever biodiversity audit has revealed that our mountains, woodlands and waterways are home to more than 31,000 different species of plants and animals. For all the latest news on Irish marine animals click here. Ireland's waters boast more…

The Department of Transport's latest marine notice adds two more classes of liferaft to those deemed acceptable for use on small fishing vessels that do not require SOLAS/MED approval. The list of accepted four-person inflatable liferafts (all with SOLAS Pack)…

Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney will have the remit for air and sea search and rescue services, it has emerged. The Irish Times reports that the move is part of a promised consolidation of maritime functions under the new…

The Red Bull Flugtag will celebrate its 100th event when it comes back to Dublin this summer. Twenty years on from the first flugtag in Austria, this year's contest promises an "Irish twist" on the formula, whereby homemade flying machines…

Local surfers have expressed their dismay over the decision by Clare County Council to approve the new pier development at Doolin Point. The Irish Surfing Association (ISA) maintains that even the revised plan - accepted by the council's 32 members…

Cargill Ocean Transportation has signed on with an innovative new company to launch the world's largest ever kite-propelled vessel. The Hamburg-based company SkySails claims its technology can generate enough propulsion to reduce fuel consumption by up to 35% in ideal…

The Angling Council of Ireland (ACI) elected its first president at an event in Dublin recently. The Irish Times reports that Hugh O'Rourke, who has served as ACI secretary since its inception in 2002, was elected unanimously as head of…

A lifejacket was key to saving a youg boy's life when he was thrown from his boat in Lough Ramor on Sunday afternoon. The 14-year-old was the sole occupant of a RIB on the Co Cavan lough, and had failed…

Writing in the Irish Examiner yesterday, Donal Hickey points Ireland's tourism authorities towards our abundant marine wildlife as a draw for potential visitors. Hickey makes note of the "multi-million euro industry" built up around Fungie the dolphin in Dingle and…

The controversial €6 million deveopment of Doolin Point has been backed unanimously by Clare councillors. Clare county manager Tom Coughlan had recommended giving approval for the revised plan, which was submitted after surfers expressed concerns over the impact of the…

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is now recruiting beach lifeguards for the summer season. Applicants must be 17 years old on 1 April 2011, and hold a valid Beach Lifesaving Award/Qualification from the Irish Water Safety Authority, Royal Lifesaving Society…

Feeding harbour seals could land Howth visitors with a fine for thousands of euro, according to a recent letter in The Irish Times. Milo Kane writes of a new notice placed near the west pier by harbour officials which "threatens…

The BBC News website has video of a new Olympic-style slalom course on the River Lagan for canoeists to test their skills. The professional facility was constructed at Shaws Bridge by local enthusiasts who have been training on the Lagan…

The Irish Canoe Union will host a sprint head-to-head regatta in Kildare next weekend. All canoeists in classes K1 200m and 500m are welcome to take part in the event, on the Grand Canal in Prosperous on Saturday 26 March…

Negotiations to land €11 million in sponsorship for the finals of the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway next summer are at a 'delicate stage', the Galway City Tribune reports. Six teams have so far been confirmed for the world's biggest…

UK Shipping Minister Mike Penning's praise of staff at Northern Ireland's only coastguard station has been described as 'hollow' by a DUP MLA. Penning had described his meeting with staff at the Bangor coastguard centre, which is threatened with closure…

Scotland's west coast will be home to the world's largest tidal power facility, it has been announced. The £40 million (€45.9 million) 10MW tidal array, to be developed by ScottishPower Renewables in the Sound of Islay, will generate power for…