Category: Press Release

Home Boats Make Ireland’s biggest sailing event a Local Success

Sunday 14th July 2019

 

Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, 13 July 2019: G1 Glenshesk (One Design) skippered by Michael Reid competing in Glen representing Royal St George Yacht Club (left) IR553 Twocan (One Design) skippered by David Freeman competing in Shipman representing Royal St George Yacht Club G18 Glen (One Design) skippered by Mike Stephens competing in Glen representing Strangford Lough Yacht Club 798 Sidewinder (One Design) skippered by Rupert Westrup competing in Squib representing Royal St George Yacht Club at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta where a record entry of more than 500 boats has entered. Photograph: David Branigan/Oceansport
Repro free for editorial use with credit byline

Ireland’s largest sailing event, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, came to a gentle close this afternoon after an exciting four days of racing in Dublin Bay with 500 boats and almost 2,500 sailors competing.

A light northerly breeze of six knots allowed organisers to complete nearly all 290 scheduled races with many class titles hanging on the outcome of today’s final race.

Dublin Yacht Club’s shared the bulk of the overall prizes, awarded this afternoon at the official prize giving at the Royal Irish Yacht Club, winning 19 of the 34 classes including the coveted ‘Boat of the Week’ Trophy.

 

David Gorman’s Flying Fifteen ‘Betty’ from the National Yacht Club was named top boat after leading an extremely competitive 24–boat one design fleet with seven race wins in a ten race series.

A final challenge by John Maybury on the Centre Course today in the single race sailed enabled the Royal Irish J109 Sailor to successfully retain his IRC One crown in a highly competitive 26-boat fleet.

In a summer of achievements for Maybury, his Class One defence follows four consecutive class wins of IRC National Championship victories, the 2019 win coming on Dublin Bay last month. Today’s victory was Maybury’s fifth VDLR class win in a row winning first in 2011.

 

The 28-boat IRC offshore prize was won by Seamus Fitzpatrick’s First 50, Mermaid also of the Royal Irish.

Seven classes included the regatta as part of their championship calendar in 2019: GP14s, 420s and Mermaid dinghies raced for Leinster honours. The SB20s decided regional titles and the Sigma 33s and Beneteau 21s raced for national trophies.

The biennial event is being hailed an enormous success both afloat and ashore for a combined fleet of 498 boats, the biggest on the Irish Sea. Over 290 races on five different courses were staged in a range of light to medium conditions since racing began last Thursday.

Although 230 visiting boats made up nearly half the fleet, yachts from outside the bay area took away only 11 trophies up from seven two years ago. The bulk of the silverware has stayed in Dublin.

Trophies were awarded in each of the 34 competing classes this afternoon, bringing the curtain down on one of the most successful stagings of Ireland’s biggest sailing event that eclipsed 2017’s 470-boat fleet.

Scotland’s Cove Sailing Club took a win in the Sigma 33 Irish open Championships. Howth Yacht Club had six wins in IRC two, two B, RC35 and, the Howth 17s, and non–spinnaker division 1 but outside of that there was only a single win for Belfast Lough in IRC 3, Rush Sailing Club in the Laser Radial and Greystones Sailing Club won both the Wayfarers and IRC Zero.

 

UK Olympic Gold Medalist Mike McIntyre won the RS Elite Championships that was run as part of the Regatta and the British Sailing Star was also awarded the Regatta’s best visiting boat award.

In Dun Laoghaire, the Royal Irish Yacht Club topped the leaderboard winning eight classes from IRC keelboats to Water Wag dinghies.The Royal St. George had six wins. The National Yacht Club had four victories and the DMYC had two.

 

Full results are available on www.dlregatta.org.

 

The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta is Ireland’s biggest sailing event and a great festival of sailing across the waterfront and Dun Laoghaire town as four sailing clubs come together for the biennial event; Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club and National Yacht Club. 

  

For more information see www.dlregatta.org or find Dun Laoghaire Regatta on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

ENDS

For further information contact:

Lydia McDermott, FleishmanHillard, 085 7138810 E: lydia.mcdermott@fleishmaneurope.com 

Darragh Collins, FleishmanHillard, 087 7694515 E: Darragh.collins@fleishmaneurope.com 

Make Dun Laoghaire your Port of Call this July

The 8th Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta to take place from Thurs 11th – Sun 14th July 2019

Ireland’s biggest sailing event returns this Summer, with the 2019 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. The biennial four-day series will take place from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th July 2019. A festival of fun, sun and sailing awaits those in attendance at the waterfront and Dun Laoghaire town, as the four local waterfront yacht clubs will come together for this sailing extravaganza; Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Royal St. George Yacht Club.

2,500 sailors and 500 boats across 34 classes will compete in the 8th instalment of the four day series on seven race courses will be specially laid out on Dublin Bay. The standard of sailing on show is bound to entertain and excite the crowds, due to its international flavour. The event attracts Olympic, international and national talent, many of whom are champions, with yachts competing from Hong Kong, England, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, and all four provinces of Ireland.

On land, there will also be plenty of entertainment around the waterfront to ensure those in attendance stay afloat! This year, face painting and a ‘selfie wall’ will ensure you capture your perfect picture from the day. Volvo and Spirit Motor Group will also be displaying their latest range of cars at The People’s Park, the East Pier and the Harbour Plaza.

There will be delicious market food to sample from the People’s Park Market on Sunday 14th July. And we all know a trip to the seaside is not complete without a 99 ice cream, and they don’t come tastier than Teddy’s!

So, whether you’re looking for a family day out or to simply savour the festival atmosphere, Dun Laoghaire will be the perfect location for you.

The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta takes place from Thursday 11th July until Sunday 14th July 2019. For more information see www.dlregatta.org or find Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta on Facebook and Instagram.

 ENDS

For further information contact:

Lydia Tierney, FleishmanHillard, 085 7138810 E: lydia.tierney@fleishmaneurope.com 

Darragh Collins, FleishmanHillard, 087 7694515 E: Darragh.collins@fleishmaneurope.com 

dlr beaches bathing warning

No Bathing at all beaches in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Area for Seven Days

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has been made aware of a sewerage wastewater overflow at the Irish Water operated Ringsend wastewater treatment plant during the recent yellow weather warning event on June 4/5.

As a consequence of this event Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in consultation with the Health Service Executive, have put temporary bathing prohibition notices in place at all of our designated public bathing sites in the county, starting today 6 June. It is expected that this temporary prohibition notification will be in place for 7 days. All areas along the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown coastline whether designated as bathing areas or not are considered covered by this notice.

 

Sampling will be taking place at all our designated bathing areas i.e.:

  • Seapoint Beach
  • Sandycove Beach
  • The Forty Foot Bathing Area
  • Killiney Beach
  • White Rock Beach

 

It is HSE advice that aside from bathers & beach users any organisers of any coastline or water based leisure or sporting event along the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown coastline should pay particular attention to this notification.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will be keeping you up-to-date on developments and any further information on our website and on our social media channels and also www.beaches.ie

Press Statement: Harbour Campus, Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, in accordance with the Harbours Act 2015, was dissolved and responsibility transferred from the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on the 3rd October 2018.  The Council is currently at early stages of this transition process and are currently working on all operational and related matters with regards to the Harbour on foot of the very recent transfer. 

The original agreement for lease on the buildings associated with the Harbour Innovation Campus project was with the landlord Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company prior to the transfer to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on 3 October 2018.  This Council welcomed the leasing of the former Ferry Terminal building and the proposed use as an innovation centre.    

The Council granted planning permission for this change of use on 31 July 2018 (http://bit.ly/2ABUI7t)  and following the transfer of the Harbour earlier this month the Council had visited the building and meet with the new leaseholder. Approval in principle to the foreshore application was granted by the Department of Housing Planning and Environment on 1st October 2018 and had been referred to the Chief States Solicitors Office for drafting.  The Council was taken aback at the press release Monday 29th October from the developer with regards to the Harbour Innovation centre. Clearly this is a very disappointing development.

The Council is at the early stages of management of the Harbour and will be preparing a fully integrated plan that benefits the appropriate future development of both the Harbour and the town of Dún Laoghaire and surrounds to ensure that both assets support each other.  The use of the ferry terminal building will, if this project does not proceed, form part of that plan. 

The Council still supports the project and believes it can proceed at this location which would provide a transformative space for business and will also impact so positively on the town of Dun Laoghaire.

 

88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race 2018

 

 Leinster Open Sea and CJK Engineering launch the

88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race 2018

Bank Holiday Sunday 5th August (Men 5.00pm & Ladies 6.00pm)

 

  

88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race 2018

On Bank Holiday Sunday 5th August, 400 swimmers will part in this year’s 88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race. This annual event is a celebration of open water swimming and a spectacular occasion for swimmers, spectators, tourists and the citizens of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire.

Blue Ribbon Race

Leinster Open Sea run calendar of over 40 open water races along the coast of Leinster from June to September each year. The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race is one of the most high-profile swimming events in Ireland and a “blue ribbon” event on the Leinster Open Sea calendar.

Steeped in history, the Dún Laoghaire Harbour has run every year since 1931, making it the second oldest continuous race in Ireland. This is but one of many features that attracts participants from across Ireland and overseas each year, and this year’s race will host swimmers from the USA, Mexico, Spain, Holland, France, Australia and Dubai.

Participation

Leinster Open Sea races emphasise participation, and welcome swimmers from all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Swimmers from 14 years of age up to senior citizens take part in the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race every year, with competitive swimmers, water polo players, Channel champions and Olympians competing against each other. Two children’s races of 100m and 200m for children aged 13 and younger will also take place just before the Men’s race.

As races are handicapped, every swimmer has a fair chance – you do not have to be a former Olympian to win.

 

Sponsors

Conor Kearney, of sponsors CJK Engineering, said “CJK Engineering have been involved with Leinster Open Sea for a number of years, and are delighted to be now associated with one of the two Major Races on the Irish open water swimming calendar. It is great to see a sport that caters for such a wide variety of competitors both in age and ability. I wish this year’s swimmers and spectators the very best of luck, especially those who have travelled from overseas, and I hope they all enjoy being “OUT FOR THE DAY”.

Olympic Council of Ireland President and Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane, a regular participant in Leinster Open Sea races, said “Swim Ireland is delighted to be involved in this year’s Leinster Open Sea 88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race again this year. The event is still evolving with a children’s race and bigger entries for both men and women yet again this year. With the Summer that we have had so far, we really recognise the value of being an island nation. We look forward to this weekend, to supporting our performance athletes in Glasgow and open water swimmers in Dun Laoghaire”.

Commodore Michael J Pomeroy of the Royal St George Yacht Club said “The Royal St George Yacht Club is delighted to host this year’s Dun Laoghaire Harbour Race.  Our club forecourt and slipway offer direct access to the waters of Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Bay. The ‘George’ truly is a club for all.  As avid sporting enthusiasts, we are always focused on diversification. At present this includes broadening our fun water sports offering.  We therefore welcome this opportunity to support our new friends from Leinster Open Sea and hope that this prestigious swimming race is the first of many such events. We wish all competitors the very best of luck in this year’s race and strongly encourage safe swimming throughout!”

All Ireland Final of Open Water Swimming

Swimmers in the Men’s and Ladies’ race compete for the coveted Dún Laoghaire Harbour Cups, proudly displayed in the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire.

As Brian Nolan, Leinster Open Sea Chair and proud former winner of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Cup puts it, “to open water swimmers, winning the Harbour Race is like winning the All-Ireland Final”. Some of Ireland’s greatest swimmers and former Irish Olympians have competed in the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race, including Donnacha O’Dea, Kevin Williamson, David Cummins, Gerry Dunne and Brenda McGrory.

 New Race Course

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race is a 2.2km race around the waters of Dún Laoghaire Harbour. 2018 will see the introduction of an exciting new race course, with this years’ 88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour race starting and finishing within the spectacular grounds of the Royal St. George Yacht Club. As in previous years’, the Men’s and Ladies’ races will follow an identical course:

  • Start on the Royal St. George Yacht Club slipway;
  • Swim alongside the west side of the Carlisle Pier;
  • Turn toward the Grandstand on the East Pier;
  • Swim parallel to the East Pier to the Lighthouse;
  • Then, Swimmers race in a straight line across the Harbour directly into the finish on the Royal St. George Yacht Club slipway. 

Race Information

Details of the 88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race are as follows:

  • Bank Holiday Sunday 5th August 2018
  • Children’s race 4.15pm
  • Men’s race 5.00pm
  • Ladies’ race 6.00pm
  • Presentation of winners’ cups will take place in the Royal St. George Yacht Club following the race, with refreshments and entertainment on site for the whole family from 7pm till late.

For further information on Leinster Open Sea and open water swimming in Leinster, please visit www.leinsteropensea.ie. Up to date race information can also be found on Facebook: www.facebook.com/leinsteropensea.

 

 

-ENDS-

 

 For further information contact:

 

Yvon McCarthy

Leinster Open Sea Press Officer

087 7797674

leinsteropenseaevents@gmail.com

 

Leinster Open Sea

 

 

Notes to the Editor:

 

Press Launch

A pre-race press launch will take place at 10.30am on Monday 30th July in this years’ race venue, the Royal St. George Yacht Club.

 

Photographs

Jason Clarke Photography will be syndicating photographs of the Press Launch and the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race to media outlets after the race info@jcp.ie, www.jcp.ie (01 660 7938).

 

Press Boat on the Day of the Race

There will be a limited number of places for photographers on the press boats. For more information on this and to book a place, please email your name and number to leinsteropenseaevents@gmail.com.

 

88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race

  • Bank Holiday Sunday 5th August 2018
  • Race Distance 2,200 metres
  • Entries are now closed
  • At least 300 swimmers from Ireland, US, UK, Mexico, Spain, Holland and Australia.
  • Children’s race 4.15pm
  • Men’s race 5.00pm
  • Ladies’ Race 6.00pm
  • Presentation of Winners’ Cups at 7.30 in the Royal St. George Yacht Club, Dún Laoghaire Harbour

 

Leinster Open Sea Races

Leinster Open Sea are a not for profit voluntary body who run a series of open water swimming races from June to September each year along the Leinster coastline. In conjunction with the swimming clubs of Leinster, Swim Ireland and major sponsors Jones Engineering and CJK Engineering.

 

The Leinster Open Sea website contains details of how aspiring swimmers can sign up for next year’s 2019 Season (www.leinsteropensea.ie). New swimmers are always welcome. Most races are approximately 1,600 metres, however, as with other maritime sports it is not the length of the race but the strength and direction of the tide and sea conditions, which determine the ease or difficulty of a swim.

 

Leinster Open Sea has received over 300 entries for the 88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race this year. There will be competitors of all ages, abilities and nationalities with teenagers pitting their strengths against 70 year olds and swimmers from all over the country competing against each other.

 

Handicap System

The 88th Dún Laoghaire Harbour Race, as with all Leinster Open Sea races, is a handicapped race with separate races (with the same course) for ladies and men. Based on a swimmers’ performance in the six qualifying races from the Leinster Open Sea calendar, the Handicapping team calculate each swimmers handicap. This will determine when a swimmer will start the race. Slower swimmers will start swimming at “GO” with handicaps increasing in 15 second intervals. The fastest swimmers will often start 10-15 minutes after “GO”. The winner is the first swimmer to pass the finish line. Handicaps gives each swimmer an equal opportunity to win the race and allows a 70 year old swimmer to compete against a young athlete who is competing for Ireland at an international level.

Dublin’s first inflatable aqua park opens at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

Press Release

Dublin’s first inflatable aqua park set to make a splash at Dún Laoghaire’s coal harbour

Harbour Splash, Dublin’s first inflatable aqua park is on the way and will be opening its doors to the public this week in Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

An obstacle course over water including trampolines, climbing frames, slides, monkey bars and more will be this Summer’s newest attraction to the harbour.

 Colin Harris, director of Big Splash Water Parks Ltd., the company behind the venture, is expecting people of all ages to come and enjoy an action packed time on the water. He points out: “Children as young as 8 can participate and we believe Harbour Splash will be the most fun you can have on the water for birthday parties, hen and stag dos, corporate events and of course it will make a brilliant family day out.”

The aqua park’s grand opening will be on Saturday 7th July with the online booking system going live at http://harboursplash.ie on Monday.

One hour long sessions are priced at €18 for under 18s and €22 for adults. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

 Gerry Dunne, CEO of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, the host of Harbour Splash today said

“Harbour Splash is a welcome addition to the harbour as it allows families and children public access to the water in a new fun way“

 For full terms & conditions, please visit http://harboursplash.ie.

 

See you on the water soon, your Harbour Splash Team.

 

[Show picture list]

Big Splash Water Parks Ltd. trading as Harbour Splash

The Stella, Old Pier, Coal Harbour, Dún Laoghaire Harbour

 

Get in touch:

info@harboursplash.ie

http://harboursplash.ie (full website coming soon)

Facebook: facebook.com/harboursplash | Instagram: @harboursplash.ie

 

 

 

 

You’d be filled with wonder, The Story of Dun Laoghaire Harbour

Press Release

The Bicentenary of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, first Children’s Book is released

Dun Laoghaire harbour has caught the imagination of writers, playwrights and poets for two centuries. Countless books have been written recalling the stories of shipwrecks, storms and forgotten heroes to all, but children.
The Blackrock Education Centre, supported by Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, has created a children’s book as a legacy to the future custodians, sailors and visitors to the harbour.
Dun Laoghaire Harbour celebrated its bicentenary in 2017 and to celebrate the enormous impact it has had on the local area the first children’s book about the harbour is now in bookshops entitled:

“You’d be filled with wonder, The Story of Dun Laoghaire Harbour!

This unique book was written by local historian Dr Seamus Cannon with support from Grainne O Malley and Colin Scudds. It was designed by Eliane Pearce as a series of 15 bite sized stories highlighting key events in the harbour’s history. Tales of heroism, genius, celebration, tragedy and how the harbour began with a tragic double shipwreck and became the largest construction project of its time in Ireland.
Dún Laoghaire harbour was witness to some of the great historical events of the past two centuries and these moments are captured in vivid colour with remarkable illustrations.

The book will ignite the imagination of school children along with curious adults and tourists alike. Available for €9.00 in local bookstores and online .

ENDS

Notes :

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is the custodian of Dun Laoghaire Harbour and its team are responsible for the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Bicentenary Steering Group.

The Steering Group contains – The Patron, Minister Mary Mitchell O Connor T.D., The Combined Yacht Clubs represented by Rob Goodbody, Margaret Dunne at Dalkey Castle Heritage Centre, The National Maritime Museum, Don Mc Manus at Dun Laoghaire Business Improvement District, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, RNLI Dun Laoghaire, The Coal Harbour Users Group, The Pavillion Theatre, TD Sean Barrett, Peter Pearson, Capt. Simon Coate, Chairperson of DLHC Eithne Scott Lennon and DLHC CEO Gerry Dunne.

Blackrock Education Centre – Blackrock Education Centre provides educational services for schools, teachers, parents, educators and members of our community. This includes professional and personal development opportunities and support for teachers and the wider school community.

Courses are offered in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills, all Education Support Services, Universities and Colleges, and Institutes of Education and further training. Many more courses are based on local need and are provided by local educators and interested persons for teachers, schools and the wider community

Dun Laoghaire Harbour welcomes Irelands first Seabin

While the sun shone and after months of fundraising by the young, environmentally aware, Flossie Donnelly (11), Ireland’s first Seabin was submerged into Irish waters within Dún Laoghaire Harbour at midday today.

Single use plastics are a real challenge in our modern society. These plastics account for nearly 8 million tons of waste that enters our oceans and rivers every year. While nearly 20 million tons of general waste pollutes our waters globally each year, single use plastics account for approximately 50% of all litter. If this sea-scurge goes unchallenged, it is estimated that by 2050 there could be more plastic in our ocean than fish!

This is why these Seabins are so important so that they can compliment the work of thousands of volunteers across Ireland who capture and remove waste from our waters. As an island nation, we must do all that we can to combat the ever increasing amount of rubbish and plastics polluting our waters.  

Today’s Seabin launch has been made possible with the collaboration and support of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, the Dún Laoghaire Marina and Inland and Coastal Marina Systems and all brought together by Flossie herself.

Speaking at the launch, Flossie said “I’m so excited that these seabins are finally being installed and I cannot wait for them to be installed.  I am so happy that all my fundraising has finally paid off with the help of my friends, family and everyone who donated…this is finally going to be made possible!!

I really feel when the seabins are in it will make a big difference with the pollution in the sea locally and I love the way that the seabins will not harm any of the fish in their natural habitat and hopefully soon enough in their plastic free habitat! I’m very excited for ‘a plastic free Irish Sea’.

The operations manager of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, Tim Ryan said “the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company are delighted to be involved in this exciting project, made possible by an inspirational 11 year old girl, Flossie. When Flossie first approached us, she already knew what she wanted, to install Ireland’s first Seabin and was well underway with her fundraising efforts. Her resolve inspired us to whatever we could to help her out.

We are delighted that the project is now becoming a reality and that Dún Laoghaire Harbour will be the first location for this important technology in Ireland. Plastics in our seas is a global problem, and if one local girl can make this project happen, the possibilities on a global scale are limitless. 

Oliver Shortall, Managing Director of Inland and Coastal Marina Systems (the company that distributes the Seabin products in Ireland and the UK) added “With Flossie’s enthusiasm for this project it was hard not to give assistance in the purchase of the two Seabins in Dún Laoghaire which are the first to be installed in Ireland. We are delighted to be a part of it and wish the Dun Laoighaire harbour Company, Flossie and her family all the best with the project.”

Flossie’s not finished yet, she will be the grand marshal in Ireland’s first “March for the Ocean” which is being organised by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and it takes place on Saturday 9th June at 2:30pm from the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire. All individuals, community and enviromental groups across Ireland are invited to join us and you can register your interest on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/events/647049418963548/ This is part of a global initiative to combat single use plastics.

ENDS

For more information or comment, please contact Flossie Donnelly’s mother, Harriet directly on 087 924 2438 or for all other points of contact, please contact Moonshot Collective’s office on (01) 517 5303 or email info@moonshot.ie

 

NOTE TO EDITOR: 

1) The launch of the Seabin is taking place at the Coal Quay Harbour (near MGM Boats) off Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire Harbour at 12pm today (Tuesday 22nd May, 2018)

2) Attached an explanatory brochure of the Seabin and some other images

3) View how this Seabin works;  https://youtu.be/SQl0xyKfm6I

First Cruise Ship of Summer Heralds Beginning Of Tourism Season in Dun Laoghaire

(Wednesday 17th May 2017) As the arrival of swallows heralds the start of Irish summers, the arrival of the first cruise ship into Dun Laoghaire kicks off the towns summer in luxurious style.

Five star luxury cruise ship Serenissima, which weighs in at over 2,500 tonnes, is the length of a soccer pitch, has 59 cabins and a passenger and crew complement of 160 people, will call today, Wednesday 17th May ,allowing its passengers and crew take in the sights of Dun Laoghaire and surrounds.

Welcoming the ship into Dun Laoghaire, Carolyn Hanaphy of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company said today that “the Serenissima is the first of 8 cruise ship visits scheduled for Dun Laoghaire this summer, bringing with them nearly 3,000 passengers and crew into the town. We are always delighted to see these ships come to our town and spend some time here. Each of these ships is welcomed alongside the historic Carlisle Pier leaving disembarking passengers and crew just 500 metres from the town centre where they can enjoy all that Dun Laoghaire offers in terms of hospitality, shopping and good restaurants and pubs all within a short stroll from the ship.”
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Master Capt. Simon Coate today said that “Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company work hard to secure luxury ships of this kind to come and visit our harbour. The Serenissima which will stop off on her way around the “Gardens of the British Isles” is a charming vessel with a unique style. During a major refit the owners commissioned Swedish interior designers to create an 18th century influenced Gustavian style interior. The unique style and grandeur of this vessel certainly is in keeping with the unique aesthetics of our 200-year-old harbour, making Dun Laoghaire a sought-after port of call on her voyage.”  

The ship is on a 12-day cruise of the “Gardens of the British Isles”. She left Portsmouth 7 days ago and has already made numerous stops along the English coast, has stopped off in Bantry Bay to visit Garnish Island and Waterford and now she is calling to Dun Laoghaire to visit Powerscourt Gardens. The ship will continue onto Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on route to her final destination in Oban in Scotland. 

ENDS
Further Media information
Carolyn Hanaphy, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company 01 2713203 / 087 788 2056
Kieran O’Byrne MSS on behalf of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company (086 254 7949)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laser Masters2018 Worlds launched at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

 

IRELAND TO HOST LASER MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2018

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SAILING COMPETITION CONFIRMED FOR DÚN LAOGHAIRE

 

  • Laser Masters2018 Worlds launched at Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company’s Harbour Lodge

 

  • Up to 500 Competitors from more than 40 nations to compete

 

Tuesday 18th April 2017, Dún Laoghaire, Ireland: The Laser Masters Worlds (2018World Championships) was launched at a special event in Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company’s historic Harbour Lodge today by Shane Ross, T.D., Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

This is the second time in three years that Ireland has been chosen to host a Laser Worlds event. The Laser Radial Worlds were held in Dun Laoghaire last summer.

Commenting on the news, Minister Ross said:“This event will showcase Dún Laoghaire Harbour on the international sailing stage. With up to 500 competitors from more than 40 nations competing in the Championships, this will generate significant revenues for the local economy and great exposure for Ireland.”

Annalise Murphy, 2017 Olympic Silver Medallist in the Laser class at the Rio Games, will act as event ambassador.

The Laser Masters 2018 Worlds takes place in Dún Laoghaire harbour from 7th to 15th September 2018 and will be hosted by The Royal St. George Yacht Club, the National Yacht Club, the Royal Irish Yacht Club and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.  The event is supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Fáilte Ireland. 

Eithne Scott-Lennon, Chairperson, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company said“It is very gratifying to see another international event of this calibre coming to Dun Laoghaire. In 2013 the various yacht clubs combined with the Harbour Company to promote Dun Laoghaire as a world-class venue for such events, which are won through a competitive process involving many nations. The event will be held in Croatia in 2017 and has been held in France and Canada in recent years. This success is evidence of the success of that initiative.”

David Kelly, Chairman of the Laser Masters 2018 Worlds organising committee said, “This is a significant achievement and another exciting milestone in the sailing history of Dún Laoghaire.    Apart from the financial benefits locally, it is a unique opportunity to showcase our beautiful harbour and everything Dún Laoghaire has to offer.   We are looking forward to some top-class sailing and to welcoming all our competitors from all over the world.”

Paul Keeley, Director of Business Development with Fáilte Ireland, who are supporting the event, today said: “Competitive international events like this are a great way to put Ireland on the map as a destination and reinforce also our Island’s reputation as a great venue for sailing, water activities and outdoor pursuits.”

1,000 supporters and volunteers will be involved in helping to host the Laser Masters 2018 Worlds.Over the past number of years Dún Laoghaire has played host to some of the most prestigious European and world sailing championships including the Youth Sailing World Championships in 2012 and the KBC Laser Radial Worlds in 2016.

 

ENDS

For further information contact

 

Laoise Donnelly, Fáilte Ireland Press Office

01 8847 195 / 086 0404 788

 

Editor’s Note

The Laser is a single-handed racing dinghy. It is an Olympic class boat for both men and women and is sailed at national and international levels. With over 200,000 boats in 140 countries, it is the world’s most popular adult and youth racing sailboat. It is popular throughout Ireland.