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Tom MacSweeney

Tom MacSweeney

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Tom MacSweeney writes a column for Afloat.ie. He is former RTE Marine Correspondent/Presenter of Seascapes and now has a monthly Podcast on the Community Radio Network and Podcast services

The Northabout crew, under the banner “Grandfathers for Human Rights and friends of Russian Political prisoner Yuri Dmitriev,” will hold the silent vigil
The crew of Jarlath Cunnane’s expedition yacht Northabout which sailed expeditions to the Northwest and Northeast Passages is to protest outside the Russian Embassy in Dublin on Wednesday at 2 pm for one hour to highlight the plight of a…
World Sailing set ‘Strategic Priorities’ in 2020 to support the growth of Para Sailing by 2023, in order to reverse the Paralympics exclusion
The International Paralympic Committee has outlined the terms and timeline for sports seeking inclusion in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, USA World Sailing CEO, David Graham, says the international federation for the sport is putting “the reinstatement of…
Royal Cork's Under 25 crew flying downwind in the club J/24
I’m encouraged by the opening of the Under 25 support programme for the season ahead. It is a further positive step towards bridging the gap through which young sailors were lost to the sport. That was when they wanted to…
What will be the effect of Marine Protected Areas on sailing?
Where will marine protected areas and marine conservation zones be located in Irish coastal waters and what effects will they have on sailing, watersports generally, angling, commercial fishing, shipping? The Marine Environment Section in the Water Division of the Department…
The annual report of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) for last year came a bit late this year to make as much impact as it could. It arrived in my email at the start of the month, a time…
Arranmore lifeboat off the coast of Donegal
Many of my memories from fifty years of journalism in all sectors of the media, from local weekly newspapers, to national dailies, radio and television, involve lifeboat stations. In tragedy and celebration that has been the focus of coastal communities,…
Dinghy sailing at Monkstown Bay Sailing Club in Cork Harbour
There is no doubt that youth involvement is key to the future of sailing. So it is wise for clubs to devote attention to developing youth sailing leading, hopefully, to onward transition into adult boats and classes and cruiser racing.…
John O’Mahony, Chairman of the Coast Guard Volunteers  representative association
John O’Mahony, Chairman of the first representative association for Coast Guard volunteers, says that “Personnel issues are the worst failing in the Coast Guard. It’s like a blind spot.” He was Deputy Officer-in-Charge of the Toe Head Unit, originally the…
Monkstown Bay Sailing Club's dinghy racing ended for the season on Saturday, with the conclusion of the October League in Cork Harbour which had extended into November to finish a series of eight races. Laser sailor Ronan Kenneally was the…
Former Kinsale Yacht Club Club Commodore Dave Sullivan is leading the club's Under 25 keelboat project
More clubs around the country are developing cruiser racing opportunities for young sailors. It is, increasingly, being seen as vital to ensure that clubs themselves have a future. The biggest loss to sailing has been when young sailors leave dinghies…
Disappointed in Teneriffe - Peter Lawless is making repairs to Waxwing in the Canary Islands
Disappointment is always hard to take, but Peter Lawless is determined, even though he has, this time, failed in his ambition to become the first Irishman to sail around the world non-stop. The Kerry solo sailor left Kilrush Marina in…
Monkstown Bay Sailing Club Commodore, Sandy Rimmington
Monkstown Bay Sailing Club is based in the inner part of Cork Harbour and is buzzing with the start of its October League and, says Club Commodore, Sandy Rimmington, a revival of the 5O5 fleet and a plan to expand…
Dingle, the most westerly harbour in Europe was proposed as an America's Cup venue in 2003
It was discussed in the Seanad on Wednesday the fifth of March in 2003….. Senator Joe O'Toole, a teacher by profession was an Independent Senator, served as General Secretary of the National Teachers Organisation and President of the Congress of…
The Waterman brothers' Saxon Senator will compete in RCYC's AIB Autumn League
"We have a lot of quick boats entered, and it's going to be a very competitive and hotly-contested league," predicts the Royal Cork's Rear Admiral for Keelboats, Daragh Connolly, as he assembles fleet arrangements for the Autumn League, which begins…
The O'Brien family on Excelsior are competing in Schull Sailing Club's final Autumn League this Saturday
Close racing is expected at Schull Harbour Sailing Club in West Cork on Saturday when the final league racing of the season takes place. Sean Norris, Commodore at Schull Sailing Club, says: "We are wrapping up our season here this…
Restoring the gleoiteog Loveen, the second last Claddagh hooker still in existence
Ciarán Oliver's family history goes back over a hundred years to what was then known as the fishing village of the Claddagh in Galway. His great-great-uncle, Máirtín, was the last 'King of the Claddagh'. The 'Loveen' doesn't go back quite…
Lambs Week 2021 - 45 boats entered, 3 Destinations to be visited, a 'King of the Bay Pursuit Challenge' around the islands for both competitive and non-competitive boats
I just love the approach of Galway sailors in mixing serious racing and enjoyment. If British sailors can have Cowes Week and West Cork has Calves Week, in Galway, they have Lamb's Week which has "gentlemanly racing," plenty of "craic,"…
This month (August 2021) Peter Lawless plans to sail solo, non-stop, unassisted around the world from Ireland back to Ireland via the five great capes. He will be using a sextant and paper charts as primary navigation tools. If successful, he will be the first Irish person to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the world
Peter Lawless hasn't time for anxiety as he makes final preparations for his solo sail around the world. He has set Saturday, August 21, for his departure from Kilrush Marina in the Shannon Estuary. Amongst those giving support to Peter…
Topper dinghies from Galway City Sailing Club sailing on Galway Bay
Galway Bay has a ring of sailing clubs dotted around the shoreline, says one of the founders of the Galway City Sailing Club, which is marking its 10th year in existence. It is an impressive grouping of maritime enthusiasts and…
Lahardane village memorial of local people going to board Titanic
Deep down, four miles beneath the surface of the North Atlantic, the wreck of Titanic is dying as Nature "takes it back to itself." So says Irish diver Rory Golden who is taking part in the current expedition to the…
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