Displaying items by tag: IRC3

8th July 2023

Southworth Going North In IRC3 at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

The arrival of more normal sailing conditions saw noted Hamble River visitor Ian Southworth with his Quarter Tonner Protis right in the groove, taking wins all the way on Saturday in IRC3 of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta on Dublin Bay.

And it is now Classic Quarter Tonners all the way too in filling the frame, with Courtown's Martin Mahon second overall in Snoopy and Cove Sailing Club's Kieran Dorgan carrying the honours for Cork Harbour with third OA for Illegal, a Ceccareli creation originally from Italy.

Courtown's Snoopy, sailed by Martin Mahon is second overall in the IRC 3 division of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Michael Chester

In fact, in some ways, IRC3 is the most visitor-laden class of all - the top-placed Dublin Bay boat is Michal Matulka's Trapper 300 Eleint at tenth.

Michal Matulka's Trapper 300 Eleint from Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

The 2023 regatta, the ninth edition of Ireland's largest sailing event, concludes on Sunday with two final races for most classes and a great festival of sailing across the waterfront and Dun Laoghaire town as four sailing clubs come together for the biennial event; Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club and National Yacht Club.

Published in DL Regatta: Cr 3

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.