Yacht club reaches milestone birthday
A yacht club has sailed its way into a milestone birthday with a small ceremony to mark it.
The Royal Cork Yacht Club is 300 years old this year and is known for being the oldest the sailing club in the world. The club had various events planned to celebrate its birthday, but these have been postponed until next year because of Covid-19.
However, the National 18 Southern Championships and the AIB 1720 Southern Championships went ahead with activity limited to the water at the weekend.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defence Simon Coveney TD recently marked the birthday at a ceremony on Haulbowline Island, the Irish Naval Headquarters and home of the original ‘Water Club of the harbour of Cork’, as it was known back in 1720.
He was joined by the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service Commodore Michael Malone, and the Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Colin Morehead.
The Minister also visited a new Royal Cork Yacht Club Exhibition at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh, another former home of the sailing club from 1854 to 1966. The exhibition runs until December and looks back on the history of the club.
Minister Coveney said: “This is the oldest sailing club in the world and it all began here on Haulbowline Island, where the headquarters for the Irish Naval service is today, 300 years ago.
“The Club has grown and expanded since then starting in Haulbowline, then moving to the Sirius in Cobh, before it’s current home in Crosshaven. It is a huge part of Cork harbour’s history and it is a history we are all very proud of."
Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Colin Morehead, said: “It is with deep regret that we had to reschedule our celebratory events, but public health must come first. We hope that by 2021 we will be in a much better position to truly celebrate the momentous feat of having the oldest sailing club in the world here in Cork.”
Several sailing events are still scheduled to take place from September to November, including the AIB Cork300 Autumn League which will be held over five weekends leading up to the October Bank Holiday.
The AIB Irish Team Racing National Champion 2020 will also take place from 21-22 November.