Dún Laoghaire Gearing up to Host 7th Edition of Ireland’s Biggest Sailing Fixture
400+ boats and 2,500 competitors expected to compete in Dublin Bay from Thursday 6th July – Sunday 9th July
The 2017 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta (VDLR), which is now established as the biggest sailing event in Ireland, was launched last night at the Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire. This biennial fixture which is organized by the four Dun Laoghaire waterfront yacht clubs (the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC), the National Yacht Club (NYC), the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC) and the Royal St George Yacht Club (RSGYC) will take place across four days in early July and attracts yachts from all four coasts of Ireland and from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, and more locally from all the four Dun Laoghaire based yacht clubs.
Speaking in advance of the launch event, David Lovegrove, President, Irish Sailing Association (ISA) said “The VDLR is now firmly established in Ireland’s major sporting calendar and is the biggest participant sporting event in the country, after the city marathons. We are also proud that the VDLR continues to grow and build upon Ireland’s international reputation as a quality sports and sailing destination and cements Ireland’s reputation as a location for a major international regatta. In addition, local area businesses will benefit considerably from the influx of visitors as they enjoy the superb sailing action in Dublin Bay and a fantastic array of family oriented activities that have been set up on shore.”
The key classes of yachts that will attract the most attention and competition during the Regatta will be the IRC Class 0, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and the IRC Offshore Class, who all, already have strong noteworthy entries. In addition, other ‘one design’ classes will include the Beneteau 31.7s, Beneteau 211, Sigma 33, Ruffian 23s, Dragon, RS Elite and the Shipman 28. The dinghy classes will include the GP14, Wayfarer, Squib, Mermaid, Flying Fifteen, Fireball, and single-handed Lasers and Moths.
Most notably this year there will be a Classics division in VDLR 2017 comprising a ‘Kingstown 200’ Anniversary Cup as part of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Bicentenary Festival from 6th to 9th July 2017. A monument on the Dun Laoghaire sea front commemorates the first stone of the eastern pier laid by his Excellency Charles Earl Whitworth Lord Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland on 31st May 1817, and the visit of King George IV in 1821 (Asylum Harbour of Dunleary was named Kingstown in 1821 and renamed Dun Laoghaire in 1920).
Also speaking in advance of the launch event, Tim Goodbody, Chairman, VDLR 2017 said “The VDLR owes its prominence in European sailing events to a number of factors. One of the core attributes to attracting so many entrants is that it is one of the least expensive sailing events in Europe, thanks to generous sponsorship and support, so providing great value for money for all in the lovely waters of Dublin Bay. We also have more than 300 volunteers who give their time and energy to ensure the regatta runs smoothly, as well as the active cooperation of local area businesses and the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. And of course the support from the thousands of visitors who come to watch the spectacle and take part in all the family oriented activities in and around Dun Laoghaire.”
“In addition the Regatta brings a significant amount to the local economy. Using the Irish tourism multiplier, the average expenditure per competitor will be €60 per day which for 2,500 competitors will be €150,000 per day and €600,000 for the four day event” added Tim Goodbody.
(l to r) Derek Gill and Denis Nolan attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Helen O’Dowd, Don O’Dowd, and Patricia Greene (Volvo Cars Ireland) attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) David Lovegrove (President, Irish Sailing Association), Flor O’Driscoll, and Brendan Dalton attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Pamela Collen, Barry King, and Sandra Mullen, from new Regatta sponsors Collen Construction, attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Mark Mc Gibney (Sailing Manager, Royal Irish YC), Patrick Burke (Rear Commodore Sailing, Royal Irish YC), andJoe Costello (Vice Commodore, Royal Irish YC) attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Eddie Totterdell and Brendan Finnane attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
A large crowd of Sponsors, Sailors, local representatives, and local business people attending the official launch of Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta 2017.
Don O’Dowd addressing the official launch of Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta 2017 in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
David Lovegrove (President, Irish Sailing Association) addressing the official launch of Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta 2017 in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
A large crowd of Sponsors, Sailors, local representatives, and local business people attending the official launch of Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta 2017 in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
David Thomas (Managing Director, Volvo Cars Ireland) addressing the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) David Thomas (Managing Director, Volvo Cars Ireland) addressing the official launch of Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta 2017 in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland on Wednesday evening. The Regatta will be among the biggest mass-participatory sporting event in Ireland this year (eclipsed for numbers only by the city marathons).
Councillor Cormac Devlin (An Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council) addressing the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Eleanor Connolly and Martin Byrne attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Chris Doorly (Flying Fifteen Class), Susan Spain, and Ger Ryan (Chairperson, St Michael’s Rowing Club) attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Ronan Beirne, Pamela Collen (Collen Construction), Neil Collen (Managing Director, Collen Construction), and Don O’Dowd attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Dan Brennan (DBSC Mermaid Class) and Con Murphy (Racing Director, Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta) attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Cathy McAleavy, Neil Collen (Managing Director, Collen Construction), Pamela Collen (Collen Construction), and Con Murphy (Racing Director, Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta) beside the National Maritime Museum of Ireland’s vintage Water Wag.
(l to r) Brian Craig (former Chairperson, Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta), Councillor Cormac Devlin (An Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council), and Harry Herman (CEO, the Irish Sailing Association) attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) W M Nixon (Afloat Magazine), Martin McCarthy, and Vincent Delany attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) Jackie Kilroy (Water Wag class) and William Despard (Bretzel Bakkery) attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) John Ryan (Spirit Motor Group), Melanie McCoust, and James O’Callaghan (Performance Director, Irish Sailing Association ) attending the official launch in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) David Thomas (Managing Director, Volvo Cars Ireland), David Lovegrove (President, Irish Sailing Association), Don O’Dowd, Tim Goodbody (Chairperson, Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta), and Alan Moore (Spirit Motor Groung attending the official launch of Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta 2017 in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
(l to r) David Thomas (Managing Director, Volvo Cars Ireland), Don O’Dowd, David Lovegrove (President, Irish Sailing Association), Councillor Cormac Devlin (An Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council), Tim Goodbody (Chairperson, Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta), and Alan Moore (Spirit Motor Groung attending the official launch of Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta 2017 in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
The VDLR is kindly supported by
Volvo Car Ireland in partnership with Spirit Motor Group (Title sponsor)
