Tom MacSweeney
Coincidence is amazing, even if it's hard to believe. This week I'm inclined to credibility after Foreign Affairs, and Defence Minister Simon Coveney espoused the importance of the Naval Reserve when announcing the Government decision to establish a Commission "to…
Monkstown Bay Sailing Club's Resurgence in Cork Harbour: Podcast with Commodore Sandy Rimmington
9th December 2020 Monkstown Bay Sailing Club
Despite the impact of the pandemic Monkstown Bay Sailing Club in Cork Harbour has had a resurgence of numbers in dinghy league racing. So outgoing Commodore Ciaran McSweeney told club members as he completed his two-year term in office. New…
The Beacon at Baltimore can be a miserable place. It's nice to see on a good Summer's day sailing by and bound for the harbour entrance, but it's different in nasty weather. That's what I had remembered this past week…
The pandemic could provide an opportunity for sailing. That is an interesting view and comes from Irish Sailing's Regional Development Officer, Gail MacAllister. "There is such a massive interest in being outdoors because of the imposition of the Covid restrictions,…
The photomontage published in Afloat a week ago of 60 'supersize' wind turbines planned for Dublin Bay should raise substantial debate about the impact of offshore wind farms on Irish waters and the activities in them – sailing, leisure marine,…
Progress on Restoring the Vintage Cork Harbour Yacht 'Lady Min' in Ballydehob
10th November 2020 Tom MacSweeney
"The Lady Min is pretty special, and she performs really well…." The world was a great place to be when the Lady Min was an idea, and there was a 'can do' attitude in West Cork. Simon O'Keeffe is carrying…
One of the most difficult, controversial and upsetting marine environment stories I have reported in my time as a marine correspondent concerns seals. I've seen them rehabilitated by a sanctuary and marvelled at the work put into healing injured, sick…
Living With No Sailing Needs Encouragement: Listen to Anthony Keane of Glenstal Abbey & Liam Hegarty of Oldcourt
29th October 2020 Tom MacSweeney
As boatyards fill up, with more boats being hauled for their Winter hibernation, talking to owners I've heard disappointment, doubt about the future, mixed with hope and a need for encouragement. Disappointment amongst the racing sector, with the October League…
There are choices in how to respond to maritime difficulties. With skies darkening, wind and sea rising, the mind focuses on the immediate response to ensure that your yacht can manage what is going to hit it. I've raced in…
Things Are Not All Bad - More People Have Come into Sailing in Cork Harbour
14th October 2020 Tom MacSweeney
Despite a year of "cancellations and disappointments" there have been more people sailing this Summer in Cork Harbour, with families racing together, more young sailors taking to cruisers and a growth of interest in dinghy sailing. That is the positive,…
A farmer from County Meath representing Ireland in sailing at the Olympics. That is what Tom Dolan would like to do, in France in 2024, when sailing at the Games is based in Marseille. The Olympic classes then are intended…
"The Killala Coast Guard Unit is operational and available in the event of a call-out, but is 'off-the-board' for boat search-and-rescue." That statement was made by the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, whose Department is responsible for the Coast Guard,…
George Radley Junior & Getting Young Sailors into Cruiser Racing – Buying an Old Boat
21st September 2020 Tom MacSweeney
The Commodore of the South Coast Offshore Racing Association believes there are yachts "out there waiting for budding enthusiasts to give them a second or third chance" and which could be used to encourage the next generation of young sailors…
Five local Councils, in cities and counties around the country, are now considering banning what has been termed as the "killer inflatable toys" from local beaches. This follows the call by the Chief Executive of Water Safety Ireland on Afloat.ie…
It has been called "the summer of inflatables" by rescue service personnel – the number of emergency calls to adults and children using what have been described as "killer" or "dangerous toy boats." Now, in an interview with Afloat, the…
Sailing in Cork took a hammering in the past week, from Storm Ellen and COVID 19, the combined effects of which destroyed a lot of work by four of the major clubs on the South Coast. Disheartening for the sport…
