Official Launch – Spirit Of Shackleton 

Dun Laoghaire Plaza

We are delighted to welcome President of Ireland Catherine Connolly to the RSGYC on Friday 15th May for the official launch of the Spirit of Shackleton — an inspiring new youth development yacht designed to empower the next generation through adventure, teamwork, and maritime learning.

The President will arrive at the Plaza outside the Club, where she will be welcomed by the Army Band, before making her way to the Club pontoon where the Spirit of Shackleton will be berthed. She will take part in the official naming and blessing ceremony, after which a Reception hosted by the Atlantic Global Foundation will take place in the Maritime Museum.

This special event offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the vessel up close, discover its mission, and be part of an exciting new chapter in Ireland’s seafaring story. If you are in Dún Laoghaire on Friday, please do come down to the Club to observe the occasion.

Volunteer Stewards Needed If you would like to be more involved, we are looking for members to act as Stewards — welcoming and directing guests on the day. If you are interested, please reply to this edition of the Journal and we will be in touch.

Main Gate Access Restrictions — Friday 16:00–17:30

Please note that due to the launch event, there will be no car access to the deck between 16:00 and 17:30 on Friday. Pedestrian access will continue as normal via the pedestrian gate and the front door throughout this time.

The Shackleton Foundation has extended an open invitation to all George members to attend their Maritime Gala Ball at the Royal Marine Hotel on Saturday 16th May. Click here: for full details. 

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Royal St George Yacht Club sailors delivered an outstanding performance at the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships, held last weekend in Ballyholme, with strong results across multiple classes in what proved to be a challenging and demanding regatta.

Competitors faced a testing mix of fluky breezes, very gusty and at times near‑gale conditions, combined with an unexpectedly sharp wind chill for the time of year. Nevertheless, the commitment, resilience, and benefits of a full winter training programme were evident throughout the event, as RSGYC sailors represented their club with pride, determination, and excellent spirit.

ILCA 6

RSGYC enjoyed a superb showing in the highly competitive ILCA 6 fleet, with club sailors claiming the top two podium positions.

• Conor Cronin sailed a consistent regatta to secure 1st place,
• followed closely by Marcus Shelly in 2nd place.

They were pushed hard throughout the series by fellow RSGYC sailors Max O’Hare, Rory Brennan‑Hobbs, and Jack Ives, all of whom delivered impressive performances in extremely testing conditions. Zita Tempany was the first RSGYC girl in the fleet, rounding out a particularly strong club presence. With challenging squalls and a deep, competitive fleet, the class provided tough days of racing — well done to all involved.

ILCA 4

In the ILCA 4 fleet, RSGYC once again featured prominently on the podium.

• Kate Spain produced a near‑faultless regatta to claim 1st place overall,
• while Tom Darcy finished an excellent 5th in a hotly contested fleet.

With four of the five races completed in a single demanding day, it was an exhausting but rewarding championship for the sailors, who certainly earned their rest afterwards.

29er

Under the guidance of coach Ellie Cunnane, the RSGYC 29er squad also enjoyed a very successful championship.

• Juliet Ryan and Ella Rock delivered a standout performance, finishing 1st all‑girls crew and 3rd overall in the fleet.

The club was further represented by Dan Moran and Cian O’Flannagain, who competed confidently at their first away event in the class, gaining valuable experience in challenging conditions.

RSGYC members also featured prominently on the overall podium, with

• Caolinn Gearty McDonnell and Eoin Byrne (NYC) finishing 1st, and
• Louise Hanley and Sebastian Wright (NYC) taking 2nd place in a very competitive fleet.

Topper 5.3

In the Topper 5.3 class, Cian Farrell was the sole RSGYC representative in one of the largest fleets at the championships. Against stiff competition, Cian sailed exceptionally well to finish a brilliant 5th place, only a handful of points from the leaders — an impressive result in a demanding fleet.

Optimist

RSGYC had a particularly strong presence in the Optimist class, with 20 sailors making up nearly half of the 44‑boat fleet. The club dominated the podium, achieving a clean sweep:

Congratulations to Emily Donagh, who was crowned 2026 Irish Sailing Youth National Champion (Optimist) at the Irish Sailing Youth Nationals, her twin sister Maeve finished 2nd overall, having won the same title in 2025. Following the event, Emily and Maeve have both secured places on the Irish Worlds Team and will represent Ireland at the 2026 Optimist World Championship in Tangier, Morocco (18th–28th June).

• Gold: Emily Donagh
• Silver: Maeve Donagh
• Bronze: Philippa Arthurs

Further excellent results followed, with Holly Cantwell, Ruairí Slattery, Felix Crinion, and Arthur Fegan finishing 5th, 6th, 8th, and 10th respectively.

Congratulations also go to all RSGYC Optimist sailors who represented Team George with distinction: Jess Walsh, Ollie Ryan, Ava Molloy, Louis Trickett, Kai Lawton, Kate Kovtun, Éabha Brennan‑Hobbs, Andrew Arthurs, Leo Smyth, Ben Smyth, Zoe O’Hare, Rian Foy Joyce, and Lucille Mullett.

In total, RSGYC sailors made up 45% of the Optimist fleet yet secured an impressive 58% of the available Irish team selection places, highlighting the depth, quality, and strength of the club’s youth programme.

Congratulations to all sailors, coaches, and supporters on a tremendous weekend of racing.
Royal St George Yacht Club can be immensely proud of this outstanding team performance at national level.

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Darkness Into Light

The RSGYC is delighted to be participating in our fifth annual

Darkness Into Light Sail on Saturday 9th May!

If you would like to be involved please contact us by emailing here and we
can send you a link to the Google Sheets file that is forming the plan for the sail, adding helps us

plan.

Everyone is welcome – dinghy or keelboat sailor, rib driver, or a passenger on RIB or keelboat.

Sign up!
Volunteer!
Donate!
Pick a lighting scheme!
Welcome to RSGYC DIL2026 Team
Thanks to all the sailors, safety team, and donors!!

Click Here For Fundraising Link

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The Royal St. George Yacht Club is delighted to invite you to the St. George’s Day Gala Dinner

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Mitchells Wines Present An Evening of Wine Tasting, Spot Prizes and A Trivia Challenge 

All Tables will seat 10.

If you are booking for less than 10 we will allocate you to a Club Table.

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Date: Saturday 25th April 2026

Location: The Royal St. George Yacht Club, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin,

A96 AY77

Start Time: 19:30

Dress Code: Smart or Reefer

To Book Please Click here

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Save the Date!

16th of May 2026

at 18.30

Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire

Dress Code – Black Tie/Maritime Elegance

RSVP – Naomh@atlanticshackelton.org

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On 18 April, the club will host a rowing challenge for members and invited neighbouring clubs, with teams choosing between an on-the-water race or a rowing machine event. The coastal course to the Muglins—subject to weather—will see coxed quad crews take on a demanding row, while the indoor challenge, sponsored by Crew Class, invites teams of four to compete over a one-hour effort. With strong interest already from members and guests, the day promises great competition and atmosphere, finishing with a buffet meal and drinks in the clubhouse. Come down to support the crews and enjoy the occasion.

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Across the weekend, there’ll be exciting demonstrations, plenty of chances to get hands-on, and time to chat with the Foil & Sail crew about what makes these boats so special. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just curious about foiling, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience something new in a friendly, relaxed setting.

The Foil & Sail team will be on hand both onshore and afloat to answer questions and make sure everyone feels confident and safe while trying out the BirdyFish. And on Saturday, we’ll be joined by the CEO of BirdyFish himself — here to share his experience, insights, and passion for the foiling world that’s redefining sailing today.

Discover the future of sailing — and feel the lift.

To secure your spot, visit foilandsail.ie

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The Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships delivered a thrilling day on the water, with a record 19 teams competing in one of the most exciting editions yet.

After more than 70 high‑intensity races, St Andrews College claimed Gold in a dramatic sudden‑death finale against The Institute, with Gonzaga securing Bronze. From standout performances to fantastic volunteer support, it was a superb showcase of school’s team racing at its best.

Click here for a full report via Afloat.ie 

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Submit your Nominations Here

Commodore’s Cup (Best Offshore Performance)

Do you know someone who went above and beyond offshore? Whether it was an incredible race, an unforgettable offshore series, a daring adventure, or an act of helping a vessel or person in distress—we want to hear about it! This is your chance to celebrate the remarkable offshore achievements of sailors who have demonstrated skill, courage, and determination. Submit your nomination and help us recognise those who make offshore sailing truly exceptional!

Vice Commodore’s Cup (Significant Dinghy Performance)

With over 250 dinghies at the Club—and many more beyond—we know our members are making waves! Whether it’s an impressive regatta result, or a remarkable personal achievement, we want to celebrate the skill and dedication of our dinghy sailors. Help us recognise their hard work and passion—send in your nominations and let’s honour the best in dinghy sailing at the RSGYC!

O’Hanlon Cup (Best Cruise)

Our Club members have ventured near and far this year—exploring Dublin Bay, the Irish Sea, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Southern Ocean, and beyond! Now, it’s time to celebrate those unforgettable journeys. Whether it was an epic adventure, a beautifully planned voyage, or a cruise full of challenges and triumphs, we want to hear about it! Help us honour the incredible cruising achievements of 2025 by submitting your nomination. Share your nominations today and let’s celebrate the spirit of adventure!

Enriquetta Cup (Significant Keelboat Performance)

Our Club’s keelboats—of all shapes and sizes—have made their mark on waters around the world, from local regattas to international competitions. Now, it’s time to celebrate the standout performances of 2025! Whether it was a thrilling race victory, an impressive series, or an extraordinary sailing achievement, we want to hear about it. Help us recognise the skill, dedication, and success of our keelboat sailors by submitting your nomination. Send in your nominations today and let’s honour the significant RSGYC keelboat performances of 2025!

Causeway Trophy (For Sportsmanship) 

The Sportsmanship Trophy is a true honour, awarded each year to celebrate the countless acts of kindness, respect, and integrity shown by our members. From the competitive to the collaborative, sportsmanship takes many forms—and we want to recognise those moments that inspire us all. If you’ve witnessed or experienced a remarkable display of sportsmanship, now’s the time to nominate! Let’s celebrate the spirit of fair play and camaraderie that makes our Club truly special. Submit your nominations today and help us honour these inspiring moments!

Youth Trophy (Significant contribution to the Club by a Youth Sailor)

Our Club is proud to be built on the passion and dedication of our youth sailors, and now it’s time to celebrate their incredible contributions to the sport in 2025! Whether they’ve shown leadership, skill, or made a lasting impact, we want to honour the young sailors who are shaping the future of sailing. If you know a youth sailor who’s made a significant contribution this year, nominate them today and let’s shine a light on their achievements! Help us recognise and celebrate their impact on sailing!

The Kingstown Boat Club Cup (Significant International Performance)

Competing on the international stage takes immense dedication, hard work, and commitment, and we are proud to recognise the sailors who represent the RSGYC around the world. These sailors embody the spirit of excellence, and their performances deserve to be celebrated! If you know a sailor who has competed internationally and made us proud, now’s the time to nominate them for this prestigious award. Let’s honour their incredible achievements and the hard work they’ve put into representing our Club on the global stage. Submit your nominations today and help us celebrate our international sailors!

The Waterfront Award (Significant contribution to the sport of Sailing) is a prestigious honour recognising an RSGYC member who has made an outstanding impact on the sport of sailing within the Club. It celebrates dedication, passion, and leadership—whether through volunteer work, mentorship, innovation, or community engagement. This award highlights those who go above and beyond to support and enhance the Club’s vibrant sailing culture, ensuring sailing remains accessible, enjoyable, and inspiring for all.

Submit your 2025 Nominations Here

See the 2024 Award Winners  Here

See the 2025 Nominees:  Here

Book your dinner (everyone welcome):   Here

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