There was good news from Kinsale this week as a yacht club member, Stephen McCarthy and his construction company Astra Construction have become the Gold sponsor to back the yacht clubs' hosting of the Dragon Gold Cup in 2024.
After the disappointment of having to cancel the 2020 event, Kinsale has been rewarded with the hosting of the 2024 edition, an exceptionally prestigious event that has in the past attracted royalty and Olympic winners.
Speaking of the sponsorship Stephen McCarthy, himself a keen sailor and father to offshore supremo Cian McCarthy, wanted to support Kinsale Yacht Club, and the Gold Cup was the perfect match for him.
Stephen commented, "Astra Construction are delighted to be on board for the 2024 Dragon Gold Cup. Although we are the title sponsor, our primary aim is to promote our wonderful Yacht Club and have the event called the Kinsale Yacht Club Gold Cup 2024. I am excited to be involved so early in the cycle and look forward to working with the organisers to ensure a truly memorable and successful event."
Michael Walsh Commodore of Kinsale Yacht Club welcomed the announcement by adding, "Stephen has been incredibly generous, not only by becoming the Gold sponsor of the event but also offering his time and energy to help in any way with the other volunteers in running the event to the exacting detail required of the Gold Cup Deed of Gift. Kinsale Yacht Club's success is based around its volunteers, and Stephen has absolutely defined what the Yacht Club is all about by not only sponsoring the event but also volunteering to help out."
Daniel Murphy of the 2024 organising committee and current Dragon class captain commented that "Work has already begun here in Kinsale for 2024. We are delighted to welcome Stephen and thank him for his support and faith in us to run a world-class event. The Dragon class in Kinsale is certainly enjoying a rejuvenation at present, with a growing fleet of active and competitive boats and more on the horizon. The attraction to the fleet in Kinsale is the fun and camaraderie within the group and being able to sail in a beautiful venue like Kinsale."
It is fair to say that all in Kinsale Yacht Club already have their eye firmly on running a spectacular event in 2024, the yacht clubs' third time welcoming the Gold Cup to Kinsale.
