Dublin Bay has been the home of the Mermaid class since 1932 when they were designed by J B Kearney.

They race regularly in Dun Laoghaire, Clontarf, Rush, Skerries, Wexford, Foynes, Dungarvan and Sligo. And for the first time ever in early May, the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on the south shore of Belfast Lough will welcome Mermaid visitors to the Simon Brien-sponsored Ulster Championships. It is said that this is the first time that they will have travelled North.

The Dublin Bay Mermaid is a one-design, wooden sailing dinghy originally designed for sailing in Dublin Bay. It is a 17-foot, half-decked, centreboard boat rigged as a Bermuda sloop. The boats have a helm and two crew with a main sail, jib and spinnaker.

Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on the south shore of Belfast Lough

The idea for the event came to fruition at the Irish Sailing Champions Cup in Foynes, Co Limerick, last year when Ross Nolan, the Event Director, met officers from the Mermaid Association.

Darach Dinneen, President of the Class, said, “The first-ever visit of the Dublin Bay Mermaids to RNIYC marks an important milestone, blending tradition with the thrill of discovering new waters. As these iconic vessels arrive at the club for the first time, they bring a sense of heritage and friendship, bridging the gap between past and present. It will be a weekend where experienced sailors gather to witness history in the making. The timeless beauty of the Mermaids has found a new home in the warm welcome of the RNIYC's shores. This joining of sailing cultures not only honours the legacy of the Mermaids but also symbolises the spirit of adventure and inclusivity that defines the sailing community. The bond between Dublin Bay Mermaids and RNIYC promises a future filled with shared experiences and fond memories in Cultra Bay”.

Nolan has been told the ones to watch are Paddy Dillon in Wild Wind (131), Jim Carthy in Vee (123), Paul Smith in Sailing Jill (134) and Terry Rowan in Red Seal (121), who has a wild card.

Launching for the event is available on Friday, 3rd May, and full information can be found here