Tom MacSweeney
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
Frank Godsell's Unequalled Sponsorship Commitment for 42 Years at Kinsale Yacht Club
7th March 2024 Kinsale
The 42nd annual Frank Godsell League kicks off this Sunday at Kinsale Yacht Club, located on the South Cork coastline. The cruiser league will run for three weeks, with two more races to follow after Sunday's opening. The next race…
A preliminary list of cruiser racing events on the Cork coastline lists the Kinsale YC Spring Series set for an Easter Monday start, April 1. At the RCYC in Crosshaven, evening racing is set for a start on Thursday, May…
There is a very strong interest from the owners of Whitetail yachts for this year’s Volvo Cork Week, according to the Royal Cork YC organisers. Keelboats Rear Admiral Rob Foster says the “level of interest in Non-Spinnaker/White Sail classes is…
Brittany Ferries has introduced pet-friendly cabins for the first time on its ferry Armorique, which has restarted the twice-weekly Cork Harbour-Roscoff service. There are 18 ‘pet-friendly’ cabins which, the company says, have been introduced to “significantly enhance capacity for passengers…
What Will Be The Effects on Watersports of Government Plans for Marine Protection?
14th February 2024 Tom MacSweeney
“It is not good enough to designate parts of the marine environment as conservation areas without talking to the people, groups and businesses which use and depend on an area for their livelihoods and recreation.” That comment from the Campaign…
Oireachtas Committee Discussing River Barriers to Fish Migration
13th February 2024 Inland Waterways
The 14-member Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment and Climate Action is meeting at 11 this morning (Tuesday) to discuss barriers to fish migration in Ireland. Representatives from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Atlantic Salmon Trust and the Rivers Trust…
Captains Cook and Bligh and Their Place in Valentine's Day Maritime History
14th February 2024 Historic Boats
February the 14th is mostly known as Valentine’s Day, but it has a significance in maritime history far removed from romantic exploits – other, of course, than the romanticism of sailing the seas…..! In 1813, it was the day when…
The Chief Executive of Cork Port is leaving after four years in the post. Eoin McGettigan announced his intention to step down from his role in May today. “This is not a decision I’ve taken lightly as it has been…
The controversial toxic waste incinerator proposal for Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour has been re-opened by the decision of Bord Pleanala to look again at the project proposed by the Indaver company. The latest situation has developed from a High Court…
The Port of Cork Company has issued a warning to all mooring holders in Cork Harbour that it is going to remove all unauthorised, unpaid or poorly marked moorings in Cork Harbour. “It is the responsibility of the mooring holder…
Kinsale Yacht Club intends to “re-establish and grow” its Cruising Fleet this season. The County Cork club will “reinvigorate the cruising section of the club,” according to Vice Commodore Anthony O’Neill. Niall McCann will undertake co-ordination of the Cruiser Fleet.…
Involvement of Young Sailors Noted at SCORA AGM (Photo Gallery and Podcast Here)
21st January 2024 SCORA
The Commodore of the South Coast Offshore Racing Association (SCORA) has a clear, direct aim for this year’s season – get more boats sailing. “That is it, that is what we will be aiming to do, encourage boats from the…
Achieving His Passion: Donegal Teenager is Congratulated by the Marine Minister
14th January 2024 BIM
The Minister for the Marine has congratulated a Donegal teenager with Down Syndrome, described as having “sea blood running through his veins,” for following his dream to work in the marine sector. Sixteen-year-old Seán Boyle has passed his three-day Bord…
Growth of Interest in Dinghy Sailing Noted in Royal Cork Yacht Club Report
10th January 2024 Royal Cork YC
The growth of interest in dinghy sailing through the development of a Mixed Dinghy fleet, part of the club’s programme to encourage more people into sailing, is noted as particularly successful in the annual report of the Royal Cork Yacht…
It’s time to ask serious questions about the EU’s attitude to Ireland and the Irish fishing industry, according to the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation, which suspects that the European Union may be engaged in “closed doors” discussions with Iceland to…
While Naval Service operational patrols have been restricted to two ships due to on-going personnel problems, the Irish Navy has got Observer status in an €87m. plan to develop a new European Patrol Corvette, involving five countries, strongly supported by…
The outcome of the annual EU Fisheries Council quota negotiations has been described as “acceptable” but with “much more left to do”. This is the view of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Association after the announcement by Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue of…
The 81st-anniversary memorial ceremony remembering the Cork Harbour Irish Shipping tragedy of December was held in Cobh, County Cork this morning. It commemorates the December 1942 tragedy when five members of the then Marine Service, William Duggan, Frank Lloyd, Frank…
Fishing Organisations Guaranteed Consultation in Offshore Wind Energy Development
7th December 2023 Marine Planning
Co-operation, mutual understanding and respect amongst all involved in offshore wind energy development is the best way forward for this island nation. It is a welcome and important step in this process and the protection of traditional fishing grounds that…
A senior executive from the State fisheries development board has been appointed the new Chief Executive of Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation in Donegal, one of the biggest fishing industry representative groups in the country. Dominic Rihan, Director of Economic and Strategic…
