A ‘Town’ Regatta at Bangor on Belfast Lough was first held over a century ago and saw a reincarnation in 2018. The 2020 event fell foul of Covid 19, but Bangor Town Regatta did run in 2022 and the Royal Ulster Yacht Club has just announced the return of the rebranded Bangor Regatta in June 2024.
So, if your boat has a keel, you are invited to take part in the four-day event running from 27th to 30th June hosted by the Royal Ulster Yacht Club.
The 2022 event had 60 yachts of various sizes spread across IRC, NHC as well as Sigma 33s and RS Elites. The overall winner was Pat Kelly’s family sailed the J109 Storm from Rush and Howth Yacht Club.
Pat Kelly’s J109 Storm from Rush and Howth Yacht Club Photo: Afloat
The organising committee has intimated that, whilst not finalised, the entry fee will include berthing in Bangor Marina for the event. There will be windward/leeward and coastal courses in the expansive, virtually non-tidal waters of Belfast Lough as well as après sailing entertainment with food and live music.
John Minnis
John Minnis, who was the sole Belfast Lough competitor in IRC 1 at Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2023 and took first prize, is looking forward to competing in this year’s Bangor Regatta. “We wouldn’t miss this regatta. Racing in Belfast Lough has been gathering pace and has seen a resurgence of competitive yachts with several new boats, including Brian and Ryan Wilson’s very slick Mat 10.10 cruiser racer from Carrickfergus. We hope to see visitors from all over Ireland and from Scotland”. Ryan Wilson said that before Bangor Regatta the new Elixir will be squeezing in the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race starting from Wicklow on 22nd June and then making the trip to Belfast Lough arriving early on Friday 28th for the last three days of Bangor Regatta.
Entries should open in early January.
