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Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Irish Sailing and Yacht Club News. Regattas, Race Reports & Results
P.S. Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, has been announced with the prestigious status of ‘National Flagship of the Year’ by National Historic Ships UK. AFLOAT adds as part of Waverley Excursions extensive season, the historic vessel is to return to Warrenpoint Port, Co. Down, following its inaugural season last year, with an evening cruise on May 28th, sailing down Carlingford Lough and out to Kilkeel Bay. A second cruise linked to the Newry Maritime Association will take place on May 29th, involving an extended cruise down Carlingford Lough and along the coast to Dundrum Bay, giving views of St. John’s Point.
Four historic vessels from around the UK have been chosen as this year's Flagships of the Year by National Historic Ships UK, the official voice for historic vessels in the country. The annual Flagship Awards, which have been running since…
A Team Racing event is quite different from a fleet racing event. Competitors do not need to bring their own boats, but instead swap out of different boats throughout the day
On Sunday 21st April, the Royal Saint George Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire Harbour hosted the Irish Schools Team Racing Association (ISTRA) Leinster Championships. The event saw 16 teams from 12 schools around Leinster compete in a Team Racing event,…
The late Don Street on his beloved 1905-built yawl Iolaire in the Caribbean
Afloat.ie regrets to record the death of Don Street of Glandore in his 94th year. For many years a Caribbean enthusiast, writing a series of successful pioneering pilot books for the area, he was also a renowned authority on ocean…
The Pearl of Louth!: Kian Louët Feisser and his wife Mary who have just completed a €530,000 investment, with support from BIM, at their company Carlingford Oyster in Co Louth
A Co Louth oyster company has invested €535,000 in an upgrade with the support of a €142,000 grant under the Brexit Sustainable Aquaculture Growth Scheme. The award-winning Carlingford Oyster Company, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is producing 2,500…
The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is a Division within the Irish Maritime Directorate of the Department of Transport. Its mission is to deliver a world-class search and rescue, maritime casualty, and pollution response service. The IRCG currently have six vacancies…
Stena Line has appointed Dennis Tetzlaff as the new Chief Operating Officer Fleet
As of today (1 May), Dennis Tetzlaff is Stena Line’s new Chief Operating Officer Fleet, and he joins the group management team. Dennis Tetzlaff enters his new role with a wealth of experience, having worked in various professions within the…
Three kites - Ger and Robyn Owens (pink), overall winners of the 2024 Mirror Eastern Championship at Blessington Sailing Club with Juliet Ryan and Ella Rock (yellow) and Aurele Dion and Ben Chaix (Blue)
The Mirror dinghy season kicked off with a bang as 13 boats landed in Blessington Lake Sailing Club; a little apprehensive about how the weekend would unfold but certainly excited to get back afloat. There were some new faces and…
The ILCA 6 Connaught Championships start line at Lough Ree Yacht Club. Fortune favours the brave
Light winds in Lough Ree did not stop the ILCA fleet from completing two days of very tight racing in 5 to 10 knots. In stereotypical lake sailing weather, the light northerly breeze kept all three fleets with their heads…
A highlight of the event is its poster, always a testament to local artistry and available for purchase in local shops. This year’s poster, crafted by Ryan Lavin, pays homage to the esteemed artist Joe Boske, known for his past iconic Fleadh na gCuach designs
Fleadh na gCuach or the Cuckoo Fleadh will transform the south Galway Harbour of Kinvara over this coming May bank holiday weekend. The traditional music and community-based art festival is known for its vibrant ambiance and exceptional talent, attracting musicians…
May 1st 2024 - May Day greetings for sailors And shore folk everywhere
May Day used to be such a focus of seasonal celebration that it's almost unfortunate it has been collared for use as the international maritime distress call-sign. But for now, with this very recently taken photo, we'll revert to celebration…
An example of an ad on social media promoting cruising holidays on the River Shannon. In total, the campaign will create over 14 million impressions or opportunities to see what a boating holiday on the Shannon has to offer
Tourism Ireland in Germany is rolling out a new campaign to promote Ireland’s Hidden Hidden Heartlands and cruising holidays on the River Shannon. This year, 240 inland cruisers on the Shannon are switching to sustainable HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuel,…
MCIB logo
The Department of Transport has issued a reminder to fishing vessel owners, skippers and crew of the safety requirements for the use of cranes and other lifting equipment on deck. In comes after a recent Marine Casualty Invesigation Board (MCIB)…
Hugh Meagher and Oisin Alexander were third overall at the 29er East Coast Championships held at the National Yacht Club
The National Yacht Club hosted the first combined 29er and 49er events, and it proved to be a great success. There was a palpable buzz on the club platform before and after sailing and great racing. As it was reported…
File image of the RV Tom Crean
Applications are currently being accepted for ship time on Ireland’s national marine science research vessels in 2025 and 2026. In addition to the RV Tom Crean and RV Celtic Explorer, time is also offered on the ROV Holland I as…
Norwegian Star in Lough Foyle on 19th October 2023. Her sister ship Norwegian Dawn is due to call on 19th August 2024
Derry-Londonderry's Foyle Port is gearing up for a busy cruise season, with nine cruise liners expected to visit the port between May and September, including six inaugural calls. The Port is celebrating its 170th anniversary this year and is set…
Fingal, a former Northern Lighthouse Board lighthouse/buoy tender built in 1963, is now a double-award-winning floating 5-star luxury hotel! Tripadvisor announced it is the No. 1 luxury hotel and No. 1 small and boutique hotel in the UK. AFLOAT highlights the vessel, while assisting duties in the Irish Sea 30 years ago, made a once-off call to Dun Laoghaire Harbour, the homeport and depot of Irish Lights.
Near the Scottish capital is berthed a historic former lighthouse tender which has been named one of the best hotels in the world at the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. Fingal, which is the name of the luxury floating hotel, is…
Explorers Report 2023 - With the objective of creating marine leaders and ocean champions, 28 schools participated in the ‘Healthy Ocean Projects & Ocean Champion Awards’ in 2023
The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme has been recognised for promoting ocean literacy and driving marine education at the primary school level. The programme's annual Ocean Literacy, Engagement & Impact Report highlights a range of activities available to schools, supporting…
During the European Sea Ports Organisation annual Conference in Paris, the organisation launched their ESPO Port Investment Study 2024 results, which is offering a comprehensive analysis of European ports' investment pipeline and challenges.
In the framework of its annual conference held in Paris last week, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) launched the results of the ESPO Port Investment Study 2024 (find here). This study offers an extensive analysis of the investment pipeline…
New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne: One month to go until the final race before the Vendée Globe. The event will begin with a show of all the IMOCA boats on May 24
On May 29, 31 skippers from around the world will set sail from New York towards the Vendée, for the final qualifying and selection race to qualify for the Vendée Globe: the most challenging sailing race around the world. The…
Jérémie Beyou, the skipper of Charal in the Transat CIC is returning to Lorient after his J2 forestay was damaged
Jérémie Beyou, one of the top hopes for the Transat CIC solo race from Lorient to New York, is returning to Lorient after his J2 forestay was damaged. The skipper of Charal made the decision to turn around after discussions…