The Howth 17s, on their Quasquicentennial (125th Anniversary) Cruise-in-Company in West Cork, are on target with their arrival this afternoon (Tuesday) from Schull at their furthest west port of Crookhaven. There, it was discovered that Billy O'Sullivan, second generation host of O'Sullivan's the cruising enthusiasts' favourite pub in the picturesque port, is no stranger to the historic class. Years ago, he was in Irish Lights, and served for eighteen months at the Baily Lighthouse at the steep seaward end of the Howth Peninsula.
Meanwhile, the restored 56ft trading ketch Ilen, built in 1926 in Baltimore to the designs of Conor O'Brien, is due tomorrow (Wednesday) in Porto Santo close north of Madeira, after a good passage south from Dun Laoghaire, which she departed on June 17th after a commemorative lunch in the Royal Irish Yacht Club.
DATES WITH DESTINY
This leaves all craft nicely on track for their dates with destiny. Tomorrow (Wednesday) the Howth 17s plan to sail out to the Fastnet Rock, and then head on into North Harbour on Cape Clear for the night. And next Monday (July 3rd) is the precise Centenary of Conor O'Brien's arrival with the Baltimore-built 42ft Saoirse at Funchal in Madeira, after what had been in effect the trial cruise of the newly-built boat - a passage of 1,300 miles - in preparation for his pioneering global circumnavigation south of the Great Capes.
By Monday, July 3rd at the Club Navale in Funchal on the main island of Madeira, Ilen will be joined by 38 boats of the Irish Cruising Club, the Royal Cruising Club and the Ocean Cruising Club to mark a major Centenary for Irish voyaging and boat-building.