What is the Naval Service?

The Naval Service is the Irish State's principal seagoing agency with "a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements". It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

Where is the Naval Service based?

The Naval Service is based in Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour, with headquarters in the Defence Forces headquarters in Dublin.

What does the Naval Service do?

The Naval Service provides the maritime component of the Irish State's defence capabilities and is the State's principal seagoing agency. It "protects Ireland's interests at and from the sea, including lines of communication, fisheries and offshore resources" within the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Naval Service operates jointly with the Army and Air Corps as part of the Irish defence forces.

When was the Naval Service formed?

The Naval Service was established in 1946, replacing the Marine and Coastwatching Service set up in 1939. It had replaced the Coastal and Marine Service, the State's first marine service after independence, which was disbanded after a year. Its only ship was the Muirchú, formerly the British armed steam yacht Helga, which had been used by the Royal Navy to shell Dublin during the 1916 Rising. In 1938, Britain handed over the three "treaty" ports of Cork harbour, Bere haven and Lough Swilly.

How many ships are in the Naval Service?

The Naval Service has nine ships - one Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV), three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), two Large Patrol Vessel (LPV) and two Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV). Each vessel is equipped with State of the art machinery, weapons, communications and navigation systems.

What are the Irish Navy ship's names?

The ships' names are prefaced with the title of Irish ship or "long Éireannach" (LE). The older ships bear Irish female names - LÉ Eithne, LÉ Orla, LÉ Ciara, LÉ Roisín, and LÉ Niamh. The newer ships, named after male Irish literary figures, are LÉ Samuel Beckett, LÉ James Joyce, LÉ William Butler Yeats and LÉ George Bernard Shaw.

Are Irish Naval Service ships armed?

Yes. The 76mm Oto Melara medium calibre naval armament is the most powerful weapon in the Naval Services arsenal. The 76mm is "capable of engaging naval targets at a range of up to 17km with a high level of precision, ensuring that the Naval Service can maintain a range advantage over all close-range naval armaments and man-portable weapon systems", according to the Defence Forces.

How is the fleet managed and maintained?

The Fleet Operational Readiness Standards and Training (FORST) unit is responsible for the coordination of the fleet needs. Ships are maintained at the Mechanical Engineering and Naval Dockyard Unit at Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour.

Who is the head of the Irish Naval Service?

The Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service (FOCNS) is Commodore Michael Malone. The head of the Defence Forces is a former Naval Service flag officer, now Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett – appointed in 2015 and the first Naval Service flag officer to hold this senior position. The Flag Officer oversees Naval Operations Command, which is tasked with the conduct of all operations afloat and ashore by the Naval Service including the operations of Naval Service ships. The Naval Operations Command is split into different sections, including Operations HQ and Intelligence and Fishery Section.

What is the Intelligence and Fishery Section of the Irish Naval Service?

The Intelligence and Fishery Section is responsible for Naval Intelligence, the Specialist Navigation centre, the Fishery Protection supervisory and information centre, and the Naval Computer Centre. The Naval Intelligence Cell is responsible for the collection, collation and dissemination of naval intelligence. The Navigation Cell is the naval centre for navigational expertise.

What is the Fishery Monitoring Centre?

The Fishery Monitoring Centre provides for fishery data collection, collation, analysis and dissemination to the Naval Service and client agencies, including the State's Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. The centre also supervises fishery efforts in the Irish EEZ and provides data for the enhanced effectiveness of fishery protection operations, as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The Naval Computer Centre provides information technology (IT) support service to the Naval Service ashore and afloat.

How are shore operations managed?

This headquarters includes specific responsibility for the Executive/Operations Branch duties. The Naval Service Operations Room is a coordination centre for all NS current Operations. The Naval Service Reserve Staff Officer is responsible for the supervision, regulation and training of the reserve. The Diving section is responsible for all aspects of Naval diving and the provision of a diving service to the Naval Service and client agencies. The Ops Security Section is responsible for the coordination of base security and the coordination of all shore-based security parties operating away from the Naval base. The Naval Base Comcen is responsible for the running of a communications service. Boat transport is under the control of Harbour Master Naval Base, who is responsible for the supervision of berthage at the Naval Base and the provision of a boat service, including the civilian manned ferry service from Haulbowline.

Does the Naval Service undertake overseas missions?

Naval Service ships have undertaken trade and supply missions abroad, and personnel have served as peacekeepers with the United Nations. In 2015, Naval Service ships were sent on rotation to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean as part of a bi-lateral arrangement with Italy, known as Operation Pontus. Naval Service and Army medical staff rescued some 18,000 migrants, either pulling people from the sea or taking them off small boats, which were often close to capsizing having been towed into open water and abandoned by smugglers. Irish ships then became deployed as part of EU operations in the Mediterranean, but this ended in March 2019 amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the EU.

How can I join the Irish Naval Service?

Essentially, you have to be Irish, young (less than 32), in good physical and mental health and with normal vision. You must be above 5'2″, and your weight should be in keeping with your age.

Are there women in the Naval Service?

Yes, women have been recruited since 1995. One of the first two female cadets, Roberta O'Brien from the Glen of Aherlow in Co Tipperary, became its first female commander in September 2020. Sub Lieutenant Tahlia Britton from Donegal also became the first female diver in the navy's history in the summer of 2020.

What is a Naval Service Officer cadet?

A naval cadet enlists for a cadetship to become an officer in the Defence Forces. After successfully completing training at the Naval Service College, a cadet is commissioned into the officer ranks of the Naval Service as a Ensign or Sub Lieutenant.

What training is involved in becoming a Naval Service officer cadet?

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign.

What qualifications are required to become a cadet?

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign. The Defence Forces say it is looking for people who have "the ability to plan, prioritise and organise", to "carefully analyse problems, in order to generate appropriate solutions, who have "clear, concise and effective communication skills", and the ability to "motivate others and work with a team". More information is on the 2020 Qualifications Information Leaflet.

When can I apply to become a Naval Service cadet?

When you are 18 years of age or over and under 26 years of age on the date mentioned in the notice for the current competition, the officer cadet competition is held annually and is the only way for potential candidates to join the Defence Forces to become a Naval Service officer. Candidates undergo psychometric and fitness testing, an interview and a medical exam.

Where is the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI)?

The NMCI was built beside the Naval Service base at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, and was the first third-level college in Ireland to be built under the Government's Public-Private Partnership scheme. The public partners are the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the private partner is Focus Education.

What is a Naval Service recruit?

A Naval Service recruit enlists for general service in the "Other Ranks" of the Defence Forces. After successfully completing the initial recruit training course, a recruit passes out as an Ordinary Seaman and will then go onto their branch training course before becoming qualified as an Able Body sailor in the Naval Service.

What qualifications are required to become a Naval Service recruit?

No formal education qualifications are required to join the Defence Forces as a recruit. You need to satisfy the interview board and the recruiting officer that you possess a sufficient standard of education for service in the Defence Forces.

What training is involved in becoming a Naval Service recruit?

Recruit training is 18 weeks in duration and is designed to "develop a physically fit, disciplined and motivated person using basic military and naval skills" to "prepare them for further training in the service. Recruits are instilled with the Naval Service ethos and the values of "courage, respect, integrity and loyalty".

What is a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) career training?

On the progression up through the various ranks, an Able Rate will have to complete a number of career courses to provide them with training to develop their skills in a number of areas, such as leadership and management, administration and naval/military skills. The first of these courses is the Naval Service Potential NCO course, followed by the Naval Service Standard NCO course and the Naval Service senior NCO course. This course qualifies successful candidates of Petty officer (or Senior Petty Officer) rank to fill the rank of Chief Petty Officer upwards. The successful candidate may also complete and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, Management and Naval Studies in partnership with Cork Institute of Technology.

What is pay like in the Naval Service?

Pay has long been an issue for just the Naval Service, at just over 1,000 personnel. Cadets and recruits are required to join the single public service pension scheme, which is a defined benefit scheme, based on career-average earnings. For current rates of pay, see the Department of Defence website

Displaying items by tag: Autumn League

30th October 2023

Royal Cork Yacht Club Autumn League Prizewinners Awarded in Crosshaven

Five weeks of racing produced comprehensive winners in all four IRC divisions of Royal Cork Yacht Club's 2023 Autumn League sponsored by AIB, but points were tight for the rest of the podium, with second and third places in both IRC One and Two spinnaker divisions decided by tie breaks.

Downwind in Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League 2023 Photo: Bob Bateman

In an unusual edition, the traditionally breezy Cork Harbour series offered five weeks of only light winds to the extent that there was no final day's racing on October 29th due to a lack of breeze.

With five wins from six races, David Dwyer's Farr Half Tonner, Swuzzlebubble, won the IRC One Spinnaker Division by nine clear points in the nine-boat fleet. Annamarie and Denis Murphy's Grand Soliel 40 Nieulargo took second, and Brian Jones' J122 Jelly Baby was third, finishing on an equal 14 points.

Dave Dwyer's Half tonner Swuzzlebubble (leading the fleet to the green buoy) won the Spinnaker One Fleet of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League. Pictured (below) left to right are Pat Horgan of sponsors AIB, James Dwyer, Brian Heneghan, Dave Dwyer, Conor Horgan and (front row) Johnny McCann and Oisin MacSweeney and Vice Admiral of RCYC Annamarie Fegan Photos: Bob Bateman Dave Dwyer's Half tonner Swuzzlebubble (leading the fleet to the green buoy) won the Spinnaker One Fleet of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League. Pictured left to right are Pat Horgan of sponsors AIB, James Dwyer, Brian Heneghan, Dave Dwyer, Conor Horgan and (front row) Johnny McCann and Oisin Macsweeney and Vice Admiral of RCYC Annamarie Fegan Photo: Bob Bateman

With four wins from six races, Conor Phelan's Quarter-Tonner Anchor Challenge, in an eight-boat IRC Two Spinnaker division, had a ten-point win margin. Fiona Young's Albin Express North Star, who, despite counting two 'DNCs' for the first two races of the league, took second overall ahead of Stephen Lysaght's Elan 333 Reavra Too in third, both on 16 points.

The "Anchor Challenge " Quarter Ton crew (above and below) winners of IRC Spinnaker Two Division of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League Photo: Bob Bateman

In White Sails One IRC Dan Murphy's X-99 Anteex won by two points from Kieran O'Brien's MG335 Magnet on ten points. Third place was taken by Ronan Twomey's First 40.7, Rosmarina

Dan Murphy's X-99 Anteex was the White Sails One IRC winner of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League Photo: Bob Bateman

In White Sails Two IRC, Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache won by six points from Sean Hanley's HB 31 Luas on 11 points. The Impala Fast Buck was third.

Alan Mulcahy, skipper of Apache and crew, with Pat Horgan AIB and Vice Admiral Annamarie Fegan, won the IRC Two White Sails Fleet of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League Photo: Bob Bateman

In a five-boat 1720 sportsboat fleet, national champion David Kenefick took four wins to win overall from Young Offenders (Walsh / Brownlow). Third was Padraig Byrne's Zing.

Full results in all classes below.

David Kenefick's full Irish was the winner of the 1720s at Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League Photo: Bob Bateman

Royal Cork Yacht Club's 2023 Autumn League Prizegiving Photo Gallery

Royal Cork Yacht Club Prizewinners 2023

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2nd October 2023

Phelan's Quarter Tonner Leads Royal Cork Yacht Club Autumn League 2023

Anchor Challenge, Conor Phelan's Quarter-Tonner, won the first two races of the Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League 2023 in the 17-boat IRC Spinnaker division on Sunday.

The vintage yacht beat Michael McCann's Etchells 22 Don't Dilly Dally, which secured second overall with a four and a two, while David Dwyer's Farr Half Tonner, Swuzzlebubble, is lying third.

Despite the previous week's bad weather, favourable 'summer' weather prevailed on October 1st for an auspicious start to the 2023 league off Cork Harbour.

Two wins from two is a good start to the Royal Cork Yacht Club Autumn League 2023 for Conor Phelan's Quarter-Tonner, Anchor Challenge Photo: Bob Bateman

David Dwyer's Farr Half Tonner, Swuzzlebubble (closest to camera) and Michael McCann's Etchells 22 Don't Dilly Dally go downwind off Roches Point in the first day of racing of Royal Cork Yacht Club Autumn League 2023 Photo: Bob Bateman

Race Officers, Anthony and Sally O'Leary, managed the race course well to make the best of the variable light winds and an ebb tide that meant the first race was shortened to one round with a mark laid off the Dutchman Rocks off Fennells Bay.

Royal Cork Yacht Club Autumn League Race Officers, Anthony and Sally O'Leary Photo: Bob Bateman

The compact size of the 2023 fleet still has some notable visitors, including the J109, Tighey Boy skippered by Tony O'Brien from Schull in West Cork and Dunmore East regular, David Marchant in his Sigma 33, Flyover.

The courses for the first race of Royal Cork Yacht Club Autumn League 2023 Photo: Bob Bateman

A startline of the first races of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League 2023 off Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

The second race saw the weather mark positioned more to the east, with about 10 knots of wind.

The only setback for the 33-boat fleet was waiting for lower-rated whitesail boats to finish to get the second race underway for the spinnaker fleet.

(Above and below) Despite the light winds there was a good swell at the mouth of Cork Harbour for the first races of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League 2023 Photo: Bob Bateman

Alan Mulcahy from Kinsale Yacht Club leads the 16-boat IRC White Sail division with two wins in the Albin Express Apache, while Kieran O'Brien's MG335 Magnet is in second place, and Aidan Heffernan's Dufour 36, Indulgence, is in third place.

Alan Mulcahy from Kinsale Yacht Club leads the 16-boat IRC White Sail division with two wins in the Albin Express Apache in the first races of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League 2023 Photo: Bob Bateman

Kieran O'Brien's MG335 Magnet is in second place in the IRC White Sail division of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League 2023 Photo: Bob Bateman

Aidan Heffernan's Dufour 36, Indulgence, is in third place in the IRC White Sail division of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League 2023 Photo: Bob Bateman

Results in all divisions below

Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League 2023 Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

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30th September 2023

Rough Start to Howth’s Autumn League With Second Cancellation in Three Weeks — But Week Two’s Racing Shows Why It’s Worth Braving the Conditions

Howth Yacht Club’s staple Autumn League series has been off to a rough start this year, with two of the first three race days — half of the six-week schedule — cancelled due to poor weather.

But week two was a chance for many of the 82 entrants to battle it out as Principal Race Officer David Lovegrove maximised everyone’s time on the water.

Southerly winds between 20 and 16 knots greeted Class 1, whose race was won in convincing style by Checkmate (Dave Cullen and Nigel Bigg). Class 2 saw a similarly confident performance by Mojo (Pat O’Neill).

A stronger breeze kept some of Class 3 from taking to the start, with only eight boats making start line, and it was a tighter contest for first with Insider (Stephen Mullaney) followed closely by Alliance II (Vincent Gaffney) and Gecko (Kevin Darmody).

The HYC website has much more on last Saturday’s racing from open events chair Jill Sommerville HERE.

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5th September 2023

Royal Cork Yacht Club's Autumn League Sets October 1 as First Race Date

The Royal Cork's Autumn League will start on Sunday, October 1 and continue for four further Sundays to the end of the month.

Eight races are planned over the five Sundays, varying between one and two on different days.

The Notice of Race has been published.

It is an Open event for all RCYC and visiting keelboats. An Entry form must be completed online before the first race through the club's website.

Division of Classes will be decided by the Race committee. Results will be in IRC and or ECHO.

The racing schedule is:

Sunday, 1st October: two races with the first gun planned for 1125.
8th October: One race FG 1125
15th October: Two races 1125 FG
22nd October: One race 1125 FG
Sunday 29th October: Two races 1125 FG

This schedule may change during the series.

A low-point scoring system will apply. One discard to apply if four or more races are completed.

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2nd September 2023

Double Header Weekend for Howth With Start of Autumn League and Rescheduled Gibney Classic

With the forecast showing the makings of an Indian summer, Howth Yacht Club is looking forward to decent weather for the start of its Autumn League in just two weeks’ time on Saturday 16 September.

While Howth’s keelboats are understandably focusing their attention on next week’s ICRA Nationals, the club is encouraging boats to join Checkmate XX — recently the overall winner in the offshore fleet at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta — and others in the Autumn League as soon as possible so the class bands can be sorted ahead of the first race.

Keelboat crews can read the Notice of Race and sign up on the HYC website HERE.

This year’s Autumn League runs over six Saturdays from 16 September to 21 October: six individual race days with first gun at 1400 (except for the final race on 21 October with first gun at 1300).

With the rugby on most Saturdays, there will be a lively après-sail scene at the clubhouse where the bar will have weekly drink specials.

And the opening weekend will be a something of a double header, with the rescheduled Gibney Classic, previously set for early August, confirmed for Sunday 17 September. Online registration, the Notice of Race and entry list are on the HYC website.

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31st October 2022

Last Race Win for J122 Jelly Baby Delivers Royal Cork Autumn League Victory at Crosshaven (Photo Galleries Here!)

A final race win in Sunday's last races of the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club produced an overall IRC One Spinnaker division win for the Jones family in their J122 Jelly Baby.

In the end, the Brian Jones-led crew beat one-time league leader Eric and Wan Waterman's X37 Saxon Senator by a single point, with the Jones's concluding the seven-race, one discard series on 13 points.

It was a much happier conclusion to the league for the Jones family in their new J122 compared to the unfortunate end of the 2021 league.

The Jones family J122 Jelly Baby crew in winning form in the final race of the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Third, on 18.5 points, was Annamarie and Denis Murphy's Grand Soliel 40 Nieulargo in the nine-boat fleet.

The Jones family J122 Jelly Baby crew are presented with the Rose Trophy by Eoin Dunne of sponsors AIB Bank for their overall IRC One Spinnaker win in the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Yesterday's final two races on Cork Harbour had everything from thunderstorms, showers, rainbows, a medical emergency and several protests.

The RCYC Race officer team headed up Barry Rose (left) for the final day's racing of the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman The 1720 RCYC Race officer team headed up Barry Rose (left) for the final day's racing of the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Yet again, a determined Race Officer could get two races off in a southwesterly breeze against a four-metre tide. This was done by bringing the start closer to the no. 14 buoy and laying a mark on the eastern bank.

A Cork Harbour rainbow embraces the fleet in the final day's racing of the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Class Two win for Etchell's Don't Dilly Dally

Michael McCann's Etchells 22 Don't Dilly Dally races downwind to an overall win in IRC Two Spinnaker division in the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

In Class Two IRC Spinnaker division, Michael McCann's Etchells 22 Don't Dilly Dally continued to move closer to overall leader Dave and James Dwyer Swuzzelbubble and overtook the Half Tonner with a 1,2 on the final day and clinch the vintage Half Ton Cup 1976 Trophy for Class two honours by three points. Third in IRC Two was Kieran Collins's Olson 30 Coracle IV in a seven-boat fleet.

Michael McCann (right), skipper of the Etchells 22 Don't Dilly Dally with the vintage Half Ton Cup 1976 Trophy for his win IRC Two Spinnaker win in the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Quarter Tonner Anchor Challenge takes Class Three

Conor Phelan's Quarter Tonner Anchor Challenge in the final day of racing at the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

On 24 nett points, Conor Phelan's Quarter Tonner Anchor Challenge won the IRC Three Spinnaker division by four points from Fiona Young's Albin Express, North Star. The Garvey/Kelleher partnership's Quarter Tonner Diamond on 30 points, was in third place.

Skipper Conor Phelan (holding trophy) and the victorious Quarter Tonner Anchor Challenge crew with the Kermese Cup for their overall IRC Three Spinnaker division win in the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Indulgence Overhauls Magnet in White Sails One

Aidan Heffernan's Dufour 36 Indulgence was the White Sails One IRC Division winner in the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Series leader Kieran O'Brien's MG335 Magnet was deposed on the final day of racing in White Sails One IRC Division by Aidan Heffernan's Dufour 36 Indulgence. Heffernan took the O'Donovan Trophy by two points, winning both of the final day's races. RCYC clubmates Frank Caul and John Molloy's Grand Soliel 37B Prince of Tides were third.

Big Mc Makes her move in White Sails Two

McGrath Family's Dehler 34 Big Mc in the final day of racing at the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

There was a change too, in the White Sails Two division when the McGrath Family's Dehler 34 Big Mc overtook Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache from Kinsale to win overall by a single point. Pat Vaughan's Contessa 33 Aramis was third. Ten competed.

The McGrath Family were presented with the Corn Ui Miathhuna Cup for their White Sails Two IRC division win in the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

T-Bone Takes 1720 Class win

1720 sportsboats race downwind in the final day of racing in the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

On 22 points, Tom Durcan/Clive O'Shea were the winners of the eight-boat 1720 fleet in T-Bone by four points. The second was Gary Rhodes in Heroes & Villans on 26. The third was Padraig Byrne in Zing on 28.

Alex Barry (left) and Clive O'Shea (right), winners of the 1720 sportsboat division in the AIB Autumn League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Full results in all classes are below along with photo galleries from the RCYC race course and prizegiving

RCYC Autumn League 2022 Final Day Racing Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman

RCYC Autumn League 2022 Prizegiving Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman

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Autumn League

24th October 2022

Overall Leaders Emerge After Five Races Sailed at Royal Cork Yacht Club's AIB Autumn League

Wind against the tide for the first part of Sunday's Royal Cork Yacht Club AIB Autumn League meant that when combined with the lumpy sea conditions left over from Saturday's gale, there was difficult light to medium conditions for the RCYC fleets in Cork Harbour over yesterday's two races with at least one well-known local boat going aground.

After five league races now sailed and one discard applied, there is a new leader in IRC Spinnaker Division One according to the results that are still provisional, given reports of a number of boats are to be disqualified for premature starting.

The wind dropped in Cork Harbour to the extent there was difficulty in trying to get the second race going at Royal Cork Yacht Club 2022 Autumn League Photo: Bob Bateman

Watermans take Class IRC One lead

Eric and Wan Waterman's X37 Saxon Senator took a win in the fourth race of the Royal Cork Yacht Club 2022 Autumn League in Cork Harbour to become overall leaders Photo: Bob Bateman

Scoring a 1,4, Eric and Wan Waterman's X37 Saxon Senator of the host club have overhauled one-time leader Kinsale visitor Finbarr O'Regan in his J/109 Artful Dodger to top Class One. The Waterman brothers are on eight points, with the Jones Family J122 JellyBaby now in second on ten. O'Regan has dropped to third on 11.5 points in the nine-boat fleet.

The Jones Family J122 JellyBaby is now second overall at the Royal Cork Yacht Club 2022 Autumn League in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

Tony O'Brien's J109 Tighey Boy from Schull Harbour Sailing Club took a third in the fourth race of the Royal Cork Yacht Club 2022 Autumn League in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

Half-Tonner Swuzzelbubble Top in Class Two

Quarter Tonner Illegal (Dorgan Losty Marshall from Cove Sailing Club and Michael McCann's Etchells 22 Don't Dilly Dally negotiate a mark in race four of the Royal Cork Yacht Club 2022 Autumn League in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

Although Swuzzelbubble (Dave and James Dwyer) continues to lead overall in IRC Spinnaker Two division. The Half Tonner scored fourth in the opening race, which means Michael McCann's Etchells 22 Don't Dilly Dally is moving closer to Swuzzelbubble overall. The Dwyers count six points so far, with McCann on seven in second, enough to overtake Conor Phelan's Quarter Tonner Anchor Challenge in third on ten in the 12-boat fleet.

Magnet in Front of IRC WS 1 Division

Kieran O'Brien's MG335 Magnet continues to lead IRC WS 1 Division at Royal Cork Yacht Club 2022 Autumn League in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

There is no change at the top of IRC One White Sails division, Kieran O'Brien's MG335 Magnet scored a one and a two to be on five points, to lead Aidan Heffernan's Dufour 36 Indulgence on seven. RCYC clubmates Frank Caul and John Molloy's Grand Soliel 37B Prince of Tides are now third on nine points.

Albin Express Apache is IRC WS 2 Division Leader

Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache from Kinsale leads IRC WS 2 of the Royal Cork Yacht Club 2022 Autumn League in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache from Kinsale leads on six points in IRC WS 2 Division from the McGrath Family's Dehler 34 Big Mc. Pat Vaughan's Contessa 33 Aramis is third. Ten are competing.

Scroll down for (provisional) overall results.

Racing continues next Sunday.

Bob Bateman's Photo Gallery of the third race of the AIB Royal Cork Yacht Club Autumn League in Cork Harbour

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26th September 2022

Royal Cork Autumn League Will be Mix of Windward/Leeward and Coastal Races By Skippers' Request

The Autumn League will start at the Royal Cork Yacht Club on Sunday, continuing until the month's end.

Racing is for Spinnaker, WhiteSail and 1720 classes in Cork Harbour. The event is sponsored by AIB this year.

The club says, "following Skipper requests, the racing will mix windward/leeward laid courses with some longer coastal races.”

This will mean two races on three Sundays, October 2,16 and 30, with one scheduled on October 9 and 23.

First Gun on all days at 11.25 a.m. It is an open event.

1720 classes in Cork Harbour Autumn League racing mode Photo: Bob Bateman 1720 sportsboats in Cork Harbour Autumn League racing mode Photo: Bob Bateman

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25th October 2021

Dave Lane's J/24 'Ya Gotta Wanna' is Royal Cork Autumn League Overall Winner (Prizegiving Photos Here)

After a dramatic conclusion to the final day of Royal Cork's AIB Autumn League where racing in all classes was abandoned and one yacht went aground in Cork Harbour, prizes were presented at the Crosshaven clubhouse based on overall results after six races sailed.

In the three boat IRC SPIN 0 Division, Conor Phelan's, Ker 37 Jump Juice won overall but shared the same seven points as Annamarie and Denis Murphy's Grand Soliel 40 Nieulargo.

Jump Juice were winners in both IRC and Club Echo Class 0. The prize is collected by long time Jump crewman John Sisk. Barry Rose (left) presents the Rose Trophy for the best IRC performance Photo: Bob Bateman

Molly Murphy collects the prize for Nieulargo (Denis Murphy and Annamarie Fegan) IRC spin 0 winner and second in Club Echo Photo: Bob Bateman

In the seven boat IRC SPIN 1 division, Kieran Collins Olson 30 Coracle IV emerged with a one-point margin after six races sailed over the Jones Family J.109 Jelly Baby that went aground and was successfully recovered. Third was the Kinsale sistership Artful Dodjer skippered by Finbarr O'Regan.

Kieran Collins sailing Coracle, was first in IRC Spi 1 and third in Echo Spi 1 Photo: Bob Bateman

Artful Dodjer was third in IRC spin 1 and second in Club Echo. The prize was received by Nieulargo skipper Denis Murphy for Finbarr O'Regan Photo: Bob Bateman

Dave Lane's J24 YaGottaWanna won overall on ten points in the nine boat SPIN 2 IRC division from Fiona Young's Albin Express North Star on 13 points. The Tony Donworth Quarter Tonner SuperNova is third on 14 points. Lane's performance gave him the overall win of the AIB Series.

J/24 Ya Gotta Wanna (Dave Lane) was the overall winner of the AIB Autumn Series and won both IRC Spin 2 and Club Echo divisions Photo: Bob Bateman

Tony Donworth's Supernova was second in IRC Two and Echo Two Photo: Bob Bateman

Ritchie Leonard was third in IRC Spin 2 division Photo: Bob Bateman

Chris Bateman (centre) pictured the J/24 Under 25 team Photo: Bob Bateman

Michael McCann's Etchells 22 Don't Dilly Dally of the Sportsboats class Photo: Bob Bateman

Frank Caul and John Molloy sailing Prince of Tides were Echo WS1 division winners Photo: Bob Bateman

Roy Hanan, Pat Barrett sailing Plumbat were Echo WS2 division winners Photo: Bob Bateman

Kieran O'Brien's Magnet was the IRC WS2 winner Photo: Bob Bateman

Published in Royal Cork YC

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10th October 2021

Sunshine in Cork For Coastal Races at RCYC AIB Autumn Series

Competitors in today's AIB Autumn Series in the Royal Cork Yacht Club enjoyed light northerly breezes and summer-like conditions.

All fleets sailed coastal courses off Cork Harbour under the watchful eye of race officer Ross Deasy.

Kieran Collins Coracle IV of the host club continues to lead the IRC Spinnaker 1 Division.

Class 0, 1 and Sports boats headed all the way south to Cork Buoy for their first mark, followed by Harp, Ringabella and beat to finish off White Bay.

Race officer Ross Deasy

The Olson 30 made the most of the light winds to stay ahead of Brian Jones' J/109 Jelly Baby after four races sailed.

Third in the seven boat fleet overall is Kinsale visitor, Finbarr O'Regan's J109 Artful Dodjer.

Conor Phelan's Ker 37 Jump Juice

In a three boat IRC Zero division, the Grand Soleil 40, Nieulargo (Denis and Annamarie Murphy) leads on five points from Conor Phelan's Ker 37 Jump Juice on seven. Eric & Wan Waterman's X37 Saxon Senator is third.

Class 2, 3 and non-spinnaker started their coastal race at Cage and sailed to Harp, Ringabella, No.14 off the refinery, back to Roches Point, and finished at White Bay.

Dave Lane's J/24 YaGottaWanna

There's only a point between the top three in nine boat IRC 2 Spinnaker division. Dave Lane's J/24 YaGottaWanna leads on six points from today's race winner Fiona Young's Albin Express North Star on seven. Tony Donworth's Quarter Tonner SuperNova is third on eight points.

In the dayboat IRC division, the race winning 1720 Heroes & Villans leads from Michael McCann's Etchell Don't Dilly Dally but the pair are drawn on four points each. Third is Billy Campion's 1720 Wight Hare.

Michael McCann's Etchell Don't Dilly Dally

In the biggest division of the league, the White Sails ECHO Division 2, with 12 entries, Conor Hanlon's Sun Odyssey Lapwing leads from John O'Connor's Impala Fast Buck. Third is Mike Rider's Dehler 37 Freya.

The RCYC Autumn League White Sails division