WM Nixon
William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.
The emergence of super-sailor ex-Pat Gordon Maguire in the key role of tactician aboard Fastnet Race 2023 overall winner Caro (Max Klink, Switzerland) has shifted positions on the betting board in the currentRolex Middle Sea Race, which got going from…
As solo star Tom Dolan said when he arrived this week in Greystones to position himself on stand-by for his waiting-game round Ireland record challenge from the Kish Lighthouse, the current increasingly Autumnal weather pattern is much more encouragingly dynamic…
As the 1250-mile Sydney-Auckland Race progressed from the start on Saturday, October 7th, it was clear that Mike Martin's veteran TP52 Frantic - originally Eamonn Conneelly's first Patches, and known with her crew lineup as "The Irish Boat" - was…
You never really know when you’re experiencing history in the making. It was early in March 1973 when we were invited to Portaferry, along the east side of the Narrows going into Strangford Lough, on a Saturday morning. The idea…
In the 1250-mile Trans-Tasman Sydney-Auckland Race, which started last Saturday, the "Irish boat", Mike Martin's TP 52 Frantic (ex-Eamonn Conneelly's Patches, with Clontarf's Trevor Smyth on the strength) is looking good. Four of the five competitors elected to go to…
The Late Liam Shanahan Snr Exemplified Modern Ireland’s Success Ashore And Afloat
11th October 2023 National YC
Liam Shanahan Senr was widely known in the sailing community as a determined offshore racing and cruising owner-skipper and a pillar of the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, both as a longtime Club Trustee and a racing and sea-going…
Belfast Lough Harbour Town Of Donaghadee Secedes To Viking Faroe Islands
7th October 2023 Belfast Lough
When the Vikings first swept into Belfast Lough around 800 AD, the lack of harbours was no problem, as the gently shelving beach at the wide expanse of Ballyholme Bay was ideal for hauling their longships ashore. Thus Ballyholme –…
Dun Laoghaire Set for Three Major Keelboat Events in September 2024 As Global Sailing Is Back In Endless Summer Mode
7th October 2023 W M Nixon
It seems the sailing world has “recovered from recovering from the pandemic lockdowns”, as the world’s year-round programme of major events – particularly high-profile offshore challenges – swings back into top gear. Not that some of these events didn’t somehow…
The sailing and boating scene in Ireland has lost one of its most versatile and interesting participants with the death of Tom Hudson of Dun Laoghaire and Royal St George Yacht Club at the age of 90. Most recently, he…
Can Ger Owens Make It Three-In-A-Row Defending National Overall Helm Title In Mermaids At Foynes This Weekend?
4th October 2023 All Irelands
It’s not the first time that the organisers of the National Championships of Champions have found themselves playing footsie with volatile Autumn weather. Ten days ago, the National Junior Championship at Schull was cancelled due to southerly gales. And last…
The life story of Sean Flood, who has died at the age of 91, is in many ways the story of modern Ireland as seen through a sailing and business lens. From a family of traditionally and strongly patriotic outlook,…
He brought new life afloat and ashore. And there was and is so much in the story of the late Mick Hunt “of Howth and Connacht” that thousands of words could be written about him. Yet we can get a…
The sailing scene in Ireland has lost three significant figures this past week with the deaths of Liam Shanahan of Dun Laoghaire, Mick Hunt of Howth, and Sean Flood of The Baily overlooking Dublin Bay. They were very much distinctive…
We regret to announce the death at the age of 91 of Sean Flood of Howth, originally of Clontarf. In a long and active life, he played a leading and popular role in business in Dublin, and in many areas…
The Boyne Yacht Club at Mornington towards the entrance to Drogheda Port on the history-laden River Boyne came into being in 1954, when sailing was beginning its expansion thanks in part to the increasing availability of “Build-Her-Yourself” designs such as…
Afloat.ie regret to record the death at the age of 83 of Mick Hunt of Howth and Connacht, who was best known for his restorations and sailing of traditional craft, but was equally adept at bringing new life to old…
New Life For Ireland’s Ancient Local Classes As Top Sailors Learn to Value Neighbourhood Sport
16th September 2023 W M Nixon
They’ve been part of our sailing furniture for so long that you could be forgiven for thinking Ireland’s historic local classes might just quietly fade away through being barely noticed. But you’d be very much mistaken. 2023 has been a…
Outrajeous Provides Popular Overall Winner as Monday.com ICRA Nats 2023 Reach a Conclusion At Howth
10th September 2023 ICRA
"Schizoid" or "Schizophrenic" are not words you'll find to describe weather conditions in any meteorological textbooks. But how else are we to convey the flavour of the racing situations which ran through the gamut of experiences in the three-day Monday.com…
The 39ft Danish-built ketch Teddy is a familiar sight in the heart of the Connacht coast, snugly berthed along the tidal quayside at Clifden in Connemara. And when she’s not there, we can usually be sure that owner-skipper Nick Kats…
ICRA Class I is billed as John Minnis's A35 Final Call II from Belfast Lough being in with more than a shout against the "monstrous regiment" of J/109s. But in the end today, she had to be content with reaching…
