#national18 – The History of the National 18' Dinghy written by Brian Wolfe will be published shortly.
Although the class once enjoyed pockets of enthusiasm in Ireland at Skerries, Portrush, Strangford Lough and Dunmore East, these have faded away and so the class only remains in Cork Harbour where it has always maintained a very strong presence since introduced there in 1939. The painting on the front cover, by local Cork artist Tadhg O' Scanaill is of legendary helmsman Somers Payne and Melody (206). Somers also represented Ireland in two Olympic Games.
The book covers the history of the class, which celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, on both sides of the Irish Sea and also includes a boat register. The development of the new 18' design at Crosshaven is also featured. The 2013 National (British and Irish) Championships were raced at Hayling Island on the south coast of England when Corkman Tom Dwyer won for the fourth occasion. The author's father Alan Wolfe, as a member of the Crosshaven club, was twice a National Champion in the 1960's.
