Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: West Highland Week

For many years, Northern Ireland has had several entries in West Highland Week, and hopefully, that will be the case this year. But so far (though the event isn’t till the end of July), of the fifteen listed entries, there is only one from N Ireland, Temptress of Down owned by Kevin and Susie Harris from Royal Ulster, Ballyholme YC and Donaghadee Sailing Club on Belfast Lough

For their Sun Odyssey 47, the trip to Gigha for the Feeder Race will be a short affair in contrast to the worldwide cruising Temptress has already done. Kevin and Susie say that “WHYW is unfinished business from 2013, and we even have the same crew as 2013”.

Scottish Series 2023

John Minnis's Archambault A35 Final Call II Photo: AfloatJohn Minnis's Archambault A35 Final Call II Photo: Afloat

Likewise, the Scottish Series running from 26th – 29th May, usually attracts several entries from N Ireland, and so far, the word is that at least two will make the trip to Tarbert at the end of May. But only one Sigma 33 will take on the Scottish fleet as it seems that only Paul (Sigma 33 Northern class Captain) and Emma Prentice will compete in Squawk. He initially thought that about five Sigma 33s from Belfast Lough would enter. And after he gets Kip Regatta under his belt, John Minnis in the Archambault A35 Final Call II will include the Scottish Series as part of his 2023 campaign.

Published in Scottish Series

Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.