Fellow Sailors
The 2025 Sailing seasons is now well underway and while we are all enjoying the beautiful weather it has affected racing with four races completed out of the eight scheduled so far. Tuesday’s evenings have been most affected with winds dying off before start time leading to cancellations. That said on Tuesday last all four boats still took to the water and enjoyed a period afloat and even got in some training which is always worthwhile.
Sailing Roster
The crew roster up to the end of June is now available for via the website so please log in and update your availability accordingly. You will receive an email confirming your choices immediately after submission so that you have a personal record also. If anyone require assistance on this system, please contact Elaine Gillian or John, who will be happy to assist -
There are a few of events of note occurring up to the end of June which we would draw your attention to as follows
Saturday 24 May – we are invited to participate in the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association (DBOGA) Regatta which is hosted courtesy of Poolbeg YC. The single regatta race will start c12 noon form the vicinity of Poolbeg lighthouse and a course will be laid using the DBDSC marks. This requires an earlier start so assembly at NYC for say 10.00 is required. While it is technically possible that following the DBOGA we could also participate in the DBSC Saturday race this is likely to be a bit much to take on so an earlier and earlier finish is more probable. There is après sail festivities in Poolbeg YC and the DBOGA are awarding a historic Silver Salver for the Twentyones so it would be good to attend there for prizegiving.
Saturday 31 May is the Howth Lambay Race. First staged in 1904 the Twentyone fleet have been regular competitors in the past and weather permitting we intend to re-establish their presence this year. The course is simply to sail from Howth around Lambay Island and back with some way point marks along the route. To help with logistics it is planned to sail the fleet to Howth on Friday 30th and on Sunday 1st June enjoy a leisurely cruise home. All weather permitting of course.
Sunday 15 June being the day before Bloomsday the Fleet will honour another 1904 icon by sailing down past the Forty-foot Martello tower, where James Joyce lived for a very brief period but his experience there left an enduring impression recorded in his opus Ulysses. Period dress is welcome but not compulsory.
The following Friday 20th June marks the centenary of the return of Conor O’Brien on Saoirse two years to the day after the set off to circumnavigate the world. The first Irishman and an early pioneer of this journey. To mark the occasion, The Ilen, another Conor O’Brien boat which he had built and delivered to the Falkland Islands, will lead a flotilla of boats from Killiney Bay back to the Harbour to a reception hosted by RIYC where O’Brien was a member. It is noteworthy that the Twentyones and Water Wags would have been familiar to Conor O’Brien, and it is fitting that the Twentyones are there to partake in the homecoming commemorations.
Lots to focus on and still only June. There are other events planned later which we will advise details of later.
Fleet Update
Naneen re-joined the fleet 2 weeks ago and is looking very resplendent following a full strip back and re application of her varnishing to match Garavogue. This will require recoating annually -more about this anon.
Oola is en-route to Dun Laoghaire as this is being written and after 39 years will re-join her sisters later this afternoon. She will be launched in the Coal harbour off the original Dun Laoghaire Pier built in 1760 and still in use today, before making her way, hopefully under sail if winds permit, to the NYC where a glass may be raised in her honour. Members of the Boyd Family who owned her for many years will be on hand to welcome Oola back and all are welcome to join in the small celebration around teatime.
Finally, Innisfallen has departed from Ned Kelly's yard near Arklow and is now in Kilrush to begin her revival journey - a very momentous occasion particular for Fionán who carried the torch for this project over many years.
A more detailed update with photos this will follow separately