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Editor: Martin McCarthy, [email protected]

Newsletter of the National Yacht Club

www.nyc.ie

Issue No. 90, April, 2023

While most of us are now preparing our boats and planning our season, many of our sailors have been sailing all winter. In the last few weeks there is great activity each weekend with Optimist, Topper, Feva, Laser and team racing training. Indeed, ten of our Optimist sailors have already competed in their first international event – the “OptiOrange” in Valencia (a fourday regatta with an entry of over 450 sailors). Another group off to an early start are the Flying Fifteen sailors – John Lavery, Alan Green, and Nicki, Niall and Hugh Meagher – who will soon be off to Fremantle for the FF Worlds. For the remainder of us, as the season is set to start in earnest over the coming weeks, I hope there are some events of interest in our 2023 calendar. The centre piece of the summer is the return of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, Ireland’s biggest sailing event and one which is only possible with the support of all the waterfront clubs’ resources and volunteers. This event, last held in 2019, will coincide with a new week-long festival, Coastival supported by DLRCC, celebrating

Dun Laoghaire’s Maritime heritage. We will have a full programme of racing and off-water events, with much planned in the Club as it is our turn to host the closing ceremony and prizegiving. Susan Spain, Sailing Secretary, and her committee, have worked hard to plan a sailing events calendar focussing on classes that are well supported by our members, including Nationals for Aeros and Ruffians, as well as East Coast championships for J109s and Flying Fifteens. There is a great buzz around the Club when we host such events. It’s always an opportunity to demonstrate what makes our Club so special, which for me is our collaborative and inclusive spirit and warm welcome we give to visiting crews. I would encourage members to share in the excitement of these events and support your fellow members, by participating or by volunteering on and off the water. This year’s sailing also includes our premiere offshore race, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race (“D2D”) which forms part of ISORA’s and RORC’s programmes. Organised by Adam Winkelmann

who leads a strong team of dedicated volunteers, entries for this challenging event are already building (including two entries from the New York Yacht Club!) and are certain to reach its maximum capacity of 50 boats. Over the winter the Junior Committee, led by Rebecca Hall, has been busy delivering training for all junior fleets, as well as investing much effort into newer initiatives such as the winter programme for Fevas, the Easter sailing camps and a focus on growing team racing. In addition, the team has been working hard to plan our summer courses and appoint the instructors needed to ensure we can offer a safe and fun programme for our youngest members. The range of youth sailing provided by the Club is impressive and critical to the future of the Club, because today’s juniors are tomorrow’s adult members. The contribution of the

Junior Section to the long-term success of our Club, and it is the inclusive and innovative nature that really stands out to me. This summer we will also build on another great success of 2022: the regular sight of three DB21s racing on Tuesdays and on Saturdays. We were delighted with the level of interest of members in these boats, with over 100 sailors experiencing this unique aspect of Dun Laoghaire’s one-design heritage. Hal and Fionán’s project continues with a fourth DB21 expected in 2023 and we will endeavour to give opportunities to a wide crosssection of our membership to enjoy these wonderful boats. There’s much to look forward to in 2023! As the days get longer and many of us return to the waterfront, I hope to see many of you in the Club in the near future.

Commodore Conor O’Regan presents NYC O’Leary Cup to Olympian Finn Lynch whose campaign for Paris 2024 is in full flight.

MAIN PHOTO: AOIFE HALL

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arlier this month we closed out 2022 by acknowledging the success and achievements of our members at the Club’s Sailing Awards. As always, it is impressive to see the breadth and scale of activities that are undertaken by our membership. We look forward to the 2023 season with excitement about the possibility it holds.

INSET PHOTO: MICHAEL CHESTER

SUPER SUMMER OF SAILING BECKONS

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PART I: Summer Course 2022 Achievement Awards Most Improved Taste of Sailing – Aveline Gaffney, Elodie Chapman Most Improved Start Sailing – Albane Rouillon, Freddy Hofler Most Improved Basic Skills – Michael O’Brien, Aodh J Carty, Charles Collenette, Isabelle Byrne Most Improved Improving Skills – Louis Trickett, Lara Fitzpatrick Most Improved Advanced Boat Handling – Jamie Kirrane, Mark O’Meara Most Improved Racing – Daniel McDaid, Ethan Verling Most Improved Adventure – Siofra O’Donnell, Clarissa Byrnes Most Improved J80s – Peadar Doyle, Oisin Alexander, Minnie Mansfield Most Improved Feva Helms and Crews – Leonardo Errico, Zara Whelan, Finn Collins, Clodagh Denn, Caoilfhionn Denn Most Improved Toppers – Hugo Farrington, Ben Doherty, Rory Brennan Hobbs

PART II: Trophy Ceremony Junior Optimist Fleet 1st Prize, Cullen Cup – Jonathan Dempsey (1st Ranked NYC sailor); 2nd Prize – Basile Dion; 3rd Prize – James Gorman

Senior Optimist Fleet 1st Prize, Ferguson Cup – Felix Dion – Highest ranked NYC sailor; 2nd Prize – Louise Hanley; 3rd Prize – Hannah Walsh;

Regatta fleet Optimist sailors that we should keep an eye on next year: Aurele Dion; Jacob Brown; Michael Hanley; Louis Trickett; Felicia De Vreeze

Feva Fleet 1st Prize, Double Hander Trophy (Feva)(Plaque) – Theo Madigan & Cathal O’Regan (6th Gold Fleet in Nationals) 2nd Prize – Lizzie Hall & James Hall (1st Silver Fleet Nationals) 3rd Prize – Peadar Doyle & Senan Corry (3rd Silver Fleet in Nationals)

TOPPER FLEET 1st Place, Cooney Cup (Topper Trophy) – Ella Fitzgerald; 2nd Place – James Hall; 3rd Place – Lizzie Hall

LASER 4.7 Trophy (Donal Loghlan O’Sullivan Cup) Dylan De Vreeze

ALL PHOTOS: THOMAS CHAIX, MICHAEL CHESTER

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Rickard Cup for Bravery LASER RADIAL Fleet 29 FLEET van Steenberge Cup (29er Trophy) – Ben O’Shaughnessy & Ethan Spain Recognition awards for their achievements this season in 29er Fleet for Lauren O’Callaghan & Clementine van Steenberge

Cathy McAleavey Trophy This award is given to the sailor that has achieved the most in 2022: Clementine van Steenberge (29er).

PART III: AWARDS to sailors who went above and beyond in 2022 Shanahan Cup For the most helpful assistant and TY sailor 2022: Conor Staunton

McDonald Trophy For the most helpful Junior during the summer courses: James Walsh

PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHER

1st Place, Lynch Cup (Laser Radial Trophy) – Sam Ledoux; 2nd Place – Benjamin Reeser; 3rd Place – Zoe Hall

Hal Fitzgerald and John Duffy with the Commodore A stand-alone award this year was the Rickard Cup which was awarded to two instructors in recognition of their selfless act of bravery in reacting to an incident over the summer. The qualities the two sailors demonstrated are ones that we would all hope to have and live by. We are so proud to have these sailors on our NYC team of instructors; their actions were truly heroic: Hal Fitzgerald & John Duffy Special recognition also to Jack Hall & Nicola Ferguson These were a group of instructors whose actions demonstrated maturity beyond their years.

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Concord Plate Winner

Boyne Regatta Cup Winner

John Byrne Trophy Winner

Winkleman Trophy Winner

The Muglins Cup Winners

Township Cup Winners

O’Leary Cup Winner & Eline Flotoft Elnan

Paul Murphy Cup

Commendation Award Winners

Commendation Award Winner

The Winkelmann Trophy – for Cadet of the year

Concorde Plate Winner: Andrew Irvin; Nominated by: Olivier Prouveur. For his participation in the SSE Airtricity Round Ireland Race 2022 on-board the Figaro 3 Luzern eComm U25

The Boyne Regatta Cup – for best performance in offshore racing of the year Winner: Gavin Doyle; Nominated by: Sarah Doyle, Caroline Doyle, Paul Carey. 1st RORC Channel Race, 3rd RORC Cherbourg Race and 5th in RORC Season Points Championship racing both double handed and with a crew of three.

The O’Leary Cup – for best performance of the year in one designs Winner: Finn Lynch; Nominated by: Susan Spain. For a fabulous year filled with success campaigning in the ILCA 7 Class which saw him ranked 2nd in the World during 2022.

The Edward Yacht Club Trophy – for best performance of the year in dinghies, mermaids or Flying 15s Winners: Clementine & Nathan, Van Steenberge; Nominated by: Thomas Chaix. For being the most successful Irish skiff crew in years on international circuit (29er season with sister Clementine): Bronze at 49er U23 Europeans; Silver at 29er Eurocup ranking (crowns a season achievements) – 1st mixed team; Silver at 29er Eurocup finals in Italy (Gold Mixed) Bronze at 29er Hungarian Eurocup (Gold Mixed); 9th at 29er French Eurocup (Gold mixed); 17th at 29er Europeans (Silver in mixed); 22nd at 29er Worlds (Bronze in mixed)

John Byrne Memorial Trophy – for the greatest contribution to sailing in the NYC during the year Winner: Michael Chester; Nominated by Rhona O’Connor For giving his photographic skills for many many years to the Club. He never says no when asked to come and photograph an event. He is a great ambassador for the Club.

Winner: Ethan Spain; Nominated by Thomas Chaix Most successful skiff crew at home: 29er national champion (helm Ben O’Shaugnessy); 29er silver at Irish youth nationals (helm Johnny Flynn); Winner of the skiff west event; Winner of Double Ree (Helm Lauren O’Callaghan); Internationally: 8th at the 29er Eurocup finals; 37th at the 29er worlds; 15th at 29er Kiel week

The Greystones 1892 Regatta Cup – for the team who represented the Club with distinction Winner: Team Mabajo – Ann Kirwan & Crew (Bandit), Helen Cooney & Crew (Joy Ride) & Cathy MacAleavy & Crew (Mariposa); Nominated by Olivier Prouveur The Team Representing the NYC at the SIA Partners, Irish Sailing Women at the Helm Regatta 2022

The Paul Murphy Cup – for the sailing management volunteer of the year Winner: Richard Staveley; Nominated by Olivier Prouveur For providing Luna Lady, his wonderful Bavaria 43 cruising yacht, for countless events as Committee boat, as well as his time and good company.

The Township Cup – for best cruise of the year Winners: Liam & Ruth Shanahan; Nominated by Helen Cooney For their adventure crossing the Atlantic in ARC 2021 and continuing on to the Oyster Round the World Rally. Always representing the best of NYC by helping fellow sailors when needed.

The Muglins Cup – for the most interesting family cruise Winners: Simon & Carolyn Thornton; Nominated by Mark Bourne For their Greek family cruise during the Summer of 2022 around the Halkidiki Region in Northeastern Greece on their Hanse 34.

Martin Crotty Trophy Award – for a younger member who shows sailing endeavour Winner: Tadgh Donnelly; Nominated by Susan Spain For helming his SB20 Leviathan to 11th overall and 3rd best Irish boat in the SB20 Worlds 2022, including scoring a 1st, a 2nd and a 3rd in the 12 races constituting the Championships

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Club treasures created by Frank Burgess

Totterdell Trophy Winner

Greystones 1892 Regatta Cup Winners

Sue McDonald Trophy Winner

Commodore’s Cup Winner

The Wild Geese Trophy – for the overseas member who achieves the best performance in racing or distinguishes himself / herself in sailing Winner: Mark O'Connor; Nominated by Saoirse Reynolds For his extremely successful first season in a Mini 6.50 on the notoriously competitive French circuit The Sue McDonnell Trophy – for the female Club member who has contributed most to the advancement of women in sailing Winner: Ann Kirwan; Nominated by Caitriona O’Brien For many years Ann has furthered diversity and inclusion in not only the Club but in the wider sailing community for women in sailing as Commodore of DBSC and in her support of the SIA Partners, Irish Sailing Women at the Helm Regatta.

The Totterdell Trophy – for the member who has contributed most to promoting and developing the Laser class in the Club Winner: Rodney Regan; Nominated by Rosemary Cadogan Rodney has always turned up in great humor for Laser sailing, training and racing no matter what. Though he has been hugely committed to his own sailing, he is always ready to help and support other sailors whenever he can. Rodney has over the last many weeks, written a detailed and humorous post training blog/debrief that is enjoyed by all the Laser and Aero sailors! Commodore’s Cup Winners: Fionán DeBarra & Hal Sisk; Nominated by Sean Doyle Fionán kept the dream alive to restore the Dublin Bay 21 Fleet despite the many setbacks and hurdles over 37 years. The key collaboration with Hal Sisk unlocked the fleet revival and Fionán’s passion, perseverance, loyalty and ultimate custodianship of this unique class finally paid off with the relaunching of Naneen, Garavogue and Estelle and the great first year of resumed racing in 2022. Work continues on the remaining four boats with Geraldine nearing completion, Oola commenced and the frames of the final two boats in place ready for assembly.

Wild Geese Trophy Winner

Edward Yacht Club Trophy Winner

Commendations Tim Bourke; Nominated by Damian Quinn Running the Adult Sail Training program 2022. This proved extremely successful with existing members and added huge value to their membership. It has also attracted significant interest from prospective new members. Eamonn Hargadon & Valerie Mulvin; Nominated by Larry Power For their outstanding work and commitment as members of the House Committee in successfully managing the House projects which included the replacement of the front railings, the landscaping of the Club frontage and the design and installation of the new Trophy Cabinet. Rachel Lawlor; Nominated by Olivier Prouveur For her participation in the Wayfarer Worlds in Florida where she finished 13th overall (Gold Fleet) in a fleet of 43 boats crewing for Irish National Champion, Ms. Monica Schaefer. Chris Moore; Nominated by Susan Spain For his long standing services in DBSC in various positions and ultimately as HonSec, from which he stepped down in 2022. Hal Fitzgerald, John Duffy & Nicola Ferguson; Nominated by Olivier Prouveur For their outstanding display of courage and their selfless act of bravery in reacting to an incident over the summer. The qualities the three sailors demonstrated are ones that we would all hope to have and live by. We are so proud to have these sailors on our NYC team of instructors; their actions were truly heroic. Tim Sykes; Nominated by Francis Burgess For leading the upgrading of the Club website, making it more user friendly and future proofing the Club’s #1 means of communication.

ALL PHOTOS: MICHAEL CHESTER

Martin Crotty Trophy Winner

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Mainsheet, the Newsletter of the National Yacht Club The end of the junior sailing season 2022 was marked with the annual Junior Sailing Achievment Awards Ceremony, which took place at the NYC on Saturday, November 26. The Club was packed with enthusiastic junior sailors. The list of recipients can be found on pages 2 and 3; the future of sailing at the NYC is safe. The awards night is the evening when our juniors traditionally take over the Club. This is when the achievements of our juniors in summer courses and in national and international events are acknowledged marking the end of the junior sailing season. In addition, the evening is an opportunity to thank all our instructors and assistant instructors for their great work over the summer and to acknowledge the huge effort they make in ensuring that our young sailors have a fun summer course whilst nurturing a life long love of sailing in a safe environment. It is also an event when parents can get together. Last Saturday the JB room was buzzing with relaxed parents whilst upstairs the dining room was filled with our juniors.

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ollowing an action packed summer in September the JS organised the DBSC Junior September Series with the support of the DBSC and there was great participation from all waterfront clubs – thanks to Henrietta Senkowsky for organising.

PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHER

The JS ran the Feva Easterns in September many thanks to Aileen Dempsey for organising the event which was hugely successful and enjoyed by all participants. The Final Topper Traveller took place in Wicklow at the end of September with NYC’s Ella Fitzgerald finishing 4th overall and 1st girl.

PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHER

Dream team instructors

Ella Fitzgerald 4th Overall and 1st girls in final Topper Traveller in Wicklow September 2022 Autumn coaching was provided for all dinghy Fleets from October until the beginning of December. The Transition Year program for teenage sailors of all abilities was jointly run by the three waterfront clubs and supported by Sarah Spain, Nicki Mathews and Verena Keane from the NYC. TY sailors took part in rib, navigation, first aid, safeguarding and activity courses, J80 sailing, team racing and a trip to Sherkin Island. In 2022 several junior sailors travelled to international events and performed very well. We are very proud of our junior sailors who have represented the NYC both at home and abroad. A final highlight of the year was the appointment of our head coach Thomas Chaix to oversee sailing development in the NYC. This is hugely welcomed by the Junior Section. Since he has joined, there has been a huge range of talks, additional clinics and courses to maximise the diversity of the Junior Section and to reach out to all abilities of junior sailors. Team NYC is looking forward to 2023 with his support. As we move into early 2023 the Junior Committee is working hard to prepare for a busy season. Already in the calendar is another trip to Valencia for the Team NYC Optimists following the successful inaugural Opti Orange event in 2022 (Optimists in Valencia Spain ) organised by Flor Dion.

The evening started for the juniors with spot prizes followed by dinner for both juniors and parents. After the meal, our instructors organised a table quiz with prizes to let the relaxation last a bit longer for the parents. And to finish, there was a selection box for ‘everyone in the audience’ to start the Christmas festivities. Thanks to all the staff of the NYC, especially John and Cormac, for their support with hosting over 100 juniors upstairs and 60 parents downstairs. It was a seamless production. The awards ceremony then began with a total of 137 recipients receiving prizes. We celebrated our juniors’ performances in summer courses to Optimist, Topper, ILCA (formerly Laser), Feva and 29er Fleets in national and international events. In addition, we awarded special individual awards. We also recognised our SI Nicola Ferguson and Assistant SI Clare Gorman for their huge efforts this summer together with all our NYC instructors and assistants. The final part of the ceremony was the trophy ceremony to present special awards to sailors across the Junior Section. The evening wrapped up with a raffle in aid of the RNLI and PIETA House, with which we raised €1000. Thank you to Aoife Hofler for organising the raffle and super prizes from our sponsors: RTE, Viking Marine, Mediacentral, Spotify, The Irish Times, Keogh’s. Thanks to our head coach Thomas Chaix for the organisation and support he has contributed to our Junior Section since his appointment and for stepping in as main photographer at the award ceremony. Thanks also to the whole Junior Committee for ensuring our young sailors had a great 2022.

WOMEN ON THE WATER PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHER

I NYC packed by our Juniors It is hoped that Team NYC will be attending the Topper Winter Clinic in Lough Derg ahead of the Topper Worlds in RCYC in Crosshaven in July 2023. Team NYC will also hope to travel to the Feva UK Nationals in Wales with their eye on the Feva Worlds in Italy amongst other international events across our many Junior Fleets.

nspired by a successful participation, two WOW J80 crews participated in the 2022 DBSC Turkey Shoot in our first uncoached winter sailing, with plenty of learning and great fun. Planning is underway for a series of ‘refresher’ training sessions during April to help both new and existing J80 sailors prepare for what promises to be a very busy summer season. We’re particularly looking forward to putting new skills acquired over the winter into practice and encouraging J80 sailors to progress in a variety of roles on the water.

The Adult Laser group continues with a combination of Laser and Aero sailors under the guidance of Thomas Chaix and coaches Conor Gorman and Hugh O’Connor. With the good weather, some sailors

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Mainsheet, the Newsletter of the National Yacht Club are also getting involved in the Frostbites on Sunday afternoons. There is much interest in the Laser and Aero adult training on Saturday mornings and intend to run two groups over the Spring and Summer months for all abilities.

7 celebrating Dun Laoghaire’s Maritime heritage. This promises to be the best VDLR yet with serious fun on and off the water. But sailing at NYC is not just about racing. At kitchen tables all over south Dublin charts and being unfurled and tide tables opened up as voyages are plotted in Europe and beyond. We look forward to reading the logs.

PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHER

At NYC we are privileged to host the beautiful classic Dublin Bay 21s. A small team at NYC keep them sailing and racing throughout the summer. To experience the elegance of sailing as it was 100 years ago and the beautiful sound of the hull gliding through the water join the team racing and sailing on the Bay full details on the website.

As always we enjoy the social side of sailing! In addition to our regular WoW Friday evening get-together, Lasers, Aero’s and Sportsboat sailors are having an informal gathering on 31st March in the dining room and all are welcome. Keep an eye on the Club website and Whatsapp Groups for news and updates. As ever, WOW welcomes new members and anyone interested in getting involved can get in touch with Aisling Murphy (Lasers/Dinghies) or Elaine Doherty (J80’s) through Louise at [email protected].

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inter 2022 saw a particular focus on reviewing and updating sailing and boating skills with a series of talks and courses for all Club members and guests organised by our Rear Commodore Rosemary Cadogan: v

ISA International Certificate of Competence course delivered by John Leahy of the CAI in early January, practical exam to follow; v Core-building Pilates classes held during Jan/Feb; v Sailing Rules and How to Lodge a Protest delivered by Ann Kirwan and Jill Fleming held on January 26; v Safety Powerboat Course in early February; v Safe Navigation in Dublin Bay presentation delivered by Dublin Port Operations Team on February 23; v Racing Rules and Tactics, Protest room, Part 2, March 9 with Thomas Chaix; v Crew to Win! – Presented by Noel Butler, Nathan Van Steenberge and Thomas Chaix – March 23 v Prepare, Prepare, Prepare For the Sailing Season, presented by Alan Green and Chris Doorly – March 30. All Talks and Expressions of Interest in other courses are advertised on the Club website and around the Club in the coming months including IS Powerboat Cert, VHF Course, Mark-laying and Race Officials. If would like to join us or be included in our Onshore or Offshore activities, please contact Louise at [email protected].

PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHER

he weather this winter season has been kind and facilitated a full programme of DBSC racing on the bay with six weeks of Turkey Shoot to complete the 2022 season and a further six weeks of Spring Chicken, to blow out the cobwebs in 2023, finishing just as Mainsheet goes to press.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

As I write, DBSC is fitting out for a full season in 2023 with a schedule of more than 800 races on the card yielding 1,300 sets of results facilitated by upwards of 100 volunteers. These numbers remind us of the privilege we have with the largest programme of racing in Europe in our home waters. The baton as Commodore was passed in December from NYC’s Ann Kirwan to NYC’s Eddie Totterdell. DBSC initiatives in 2023 to further improve the extent of sailing in Dublin Bay include U30’s reduced keelboat price entry, a new Women on the Water series as part of the Tuesday Evening series and for the dinghies in addition to the Tuesday evening racing, Saturday racing will be held during the first and last few weeks of the season. Our new head Coach Thomas Chaix has been leading a broad range of performance coaching activities and programmes for junior and senior sailors on and off the water. Of special interest are his racing rules and tactics talks being held in the JB room during March. Check our new website for full details. Of particular interest this season are the NYC/RORC Dun Laoghaire to Dingle, D2D race starting Wednesday 7th June from NYC, which is a qualifying race for the Fasnet race later this summer, and the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta,VDLR from Thursday 6th July for 4 days. This year the VDLR coincides with Coastival, a new week-long festival

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his year, we hope, will be an exciting year for the NYC Golf Society with new courses added to the list of “home” courses.

We kick off with the visit to Rosslare on March 9 and 10 where the club eagerly awaits us. They have a team assembled with spades to repair the divots post our departure! Billy Kelly and his team at Kelly’s Hotel will have the red carpet out awaiting our arrival and are ready to help us eat, drink, sleep and take advantage of the wonderful facilities on offer. This year, in order to determine the future “dress” code of, especially, male members who frequent the podium at prizegivings, everybody must enter their GUI number into the system before playing and, after playing, enter their scores while holding on to their card to be collected later for prize giving. Finally, we welcome new members with high or low handicaps or even no handicap. You are guaranteed only that your golf won’t improve but you will have a bit of fun. Scheduled outings for the year: March 9/10: Rosslare; April 14: St. Annes; May 12: Coolatin; June 30: Courtown; September 1: Clontarf (match against Howth YC); September 15: Portarlington; October 27: Dun Laoghaire GC; December 1: Killiney GC.

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he start of the new sailing season is nearly upon us and we are all preparing for what is going to be an exciting summer of sailing. We look forward to firing up the BBQ for Apres Sail and hope the sun shines favourably for long evenings of racing followed by enjoyment and fun back in the clubhouse.

Roshan and I are always on hand to arrange any catering requirements you might have, be it family gatherings, communion, confirmations or that catch up with old friends. We look forward to all the sailing events this summer with the highlight being the Volvo

APRIL Sat Sun Wed Fri Sun Wed

1 2 5 7 9 12

Club Dining Sunday Lunch Quiz Supper Good Friday Easter Sunday Lunch Wine Supper

Dun Laoghaire Regatta, where we will have a vibrant entertainments programme which will be published shortly. I would also like to welcome the many new members who joined in the past few months and I am always available for a showaround or to answer any queries that you might have.

APRIL Fri 14 Sat 15 Fri 21 Sat 22 Sun 23 Sun 30

CONTD.

Wedding Reception Lift In

Highlights March

12

Leinster Schools Team Racing

April

1-2

Students Match Racing

April

15

Lift In

May

20-21 Optimist Leinsters

June

7

June

10-11 J109 East Coast Championships

June

16-18 Aero Nationals

July

6-9

July

28-30 Ruffian Nationals

D2D starts

Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

Private Event

September 7

NYC End of Season Race

Preston Ball

September 8-10

ICRA Nationals HYC

Sunday Lunch

September 16-17 F15 East Coast Championships

Sunday Lunch

October 14

Lift Out

Booking required for ALL Dining Room services with the Catering Team on (01) 280 1198 or (01) 280 5725 The current project in progress is to extend the balcony with the addition of a further section in line with the changing rooms. This would give some further outdoor dining space with the added feature of being in direct sunlight. This project is at the planning and design stages of work and it is hoped to have the work completed for the start of the sailing season in April 23. The House Committee also work closely with John O’Grady in preparing our Club social program – and look for new ideas and initiatives to make our events attractive to our members.

Report February 23

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he House Committee is responsible for the maintenance of the Club premises which requires continuous attention and an ongoing maintenance programme.

Due to the age of the building and the restrictions imposed by the listed building status of the Club, the ongoing maintenance can be a difficult and challenging operation. Frank Burgess has dedicated many years of his time and energy, and continues to do so, in preparing and manging the Club maintenance programme. Frank works closely with our Club Manager, John O’Grady and our staff member Pavlo, in delivering and managing this high quality maintenance work.

Capital Projects

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ince our last update we have completed the iconic Preston Ball competition in the unusual autumn time period. In a great final Gary Haughton was victorious over David Gorman!

Our House Committee have taken on the task of implementing major capital investment projects over the last few months. We are very grateful to our member, Eamonn Hargadon, for taking on this time consuming task and for his professional expertise in initiating and managing the various projects. We were very pleased to see that Eamonn’s work was acknowledged in the Sailing Awards ceremony this month.

In 2022 we completed the Elgan (John Corcoran winner), O’Donovan and McWilliams (Chris Johnston winner) competitions. Well done to all.

We developed and landscaped the Club front entrance which further enhances the appearance of the Club.

It was very sad to hear of the passing of Hubie Kearns at the end of 2022. A Club legend, Hubie was an instrumental leader in the NYC snooker community for years. I had the pleasure of meeting him as we got the billiards competition back up and running. A great, friendly, helpful man; he will be sorely missed.

The new Trophy Cabinet has now been installed in the main hall which is a superb item of work and gives the Club the opportunity to properly display our beautiful array or trophies. The Trophy Cabinet is dedicated to the memory of Jack Roy, for his outstanding contribution to Irish Sailing.

The 2022/2023 Johnston Memorial Doubles and Preston Ball Competitions are in progress.

As ever we welcome everyone – including recent/new members to the green baize in NYC!