Thank you to Frank Cassidy for generously sharing a copy of his award-winning article 'Going Solo' from the Irish Cruising Club Annual with us.
A great read â congratulations on your award, Frank!
Click Here to read: Frank Cassidy Irish Cruising Club Annual 2025
Join us for an unforgettable fireside chat with Mark OâConnor on January 15th.
Hear first-hand tales from one of Irelandâs most inspiring sailing achievements as Mark recounts his incredible Mini Transat adventure â a race widely regarded as one of the toughest solo ocean challenges in the world.
Mark took on the Atlantic alone, racing a 6.5-metre boat across thousands of miles of open ocean with no outside assistance, no weather routing, and no support â just skill, resilience, and determination. Battling relentless seas, shifting winds, exhaustion, and isolation, Mark pushed himself to the absolute limit.
His journey culminated in an extraordinary 20th-place photo finish after 17 intense days at sea, making Mark the youngest Irish Sailor to cross the Atlantic Solo, a testament to razor-thin margins, mental toughness, and relentless focus.
From moments of pure exhilaration to the harsh realities of solo life offshore, Mark will share what it truly takes to survive â and compete â in one of sailingâs most demanding races.
Expect gripping stories, hard-won lessons, and an honest look at courage, preparation, and perseverance on the Atlantic Ocean.
January 15th @ 7.30pm
Fundraiser in aid of UNICEF. Hosted by Newstalk's Bobby Kerr.
Join an evening in Dun Laoghaire for dinner and conversation with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world and the winner of the first ever Golden Globe Race.
Dubbed the âDavid Attenborough of sailingâ when he received the Pindar Lifetime Achievement Award in November 2025, Sir Robin Knox-Johnstonâs story is one of pioneering adventure, courage and one that has helped chart a course for those brave men and women that have followed in his wake.
Friday 20 February 2026
Start: 6.30pm
Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Ticket* âŹ70
All profits on the evening go to UNICEF.
An Ideal Christmas Gift for the sailor in your life or the adventurer in you!
*Tickets include a 3 course meal + donation to UNICEF + entertainment on the evening.
On Monday, November 10th at 5:27âŻp.m. local time (9:27âŻp.m. UTC), Mini Skippy and I crossed the finish line in Saint-François, Guadeloupe.
After more than 16 days alone at sea, we completed this Atlantic crossing aboard a 6.50 meter boat, without assistance, without communication, relying on my training, skill and resilience.
The final miles delivered a thrilling showdown: a side-by-side sprint with another competitor to secure 20th place in the production boat ranking.
As the finish line appeared on the horizon, Mini Skippy was behind Antoine Canivetâs pink boat, having overtaken him during the night and then fallen back. I knew I had to make a move and switching into match racing mode, I used the gusts and waves glide slightly downwind, and with a little burst of speed came level before overtaking his pink boat just meters before the line. I knew that with the first leg cancelled, this was it. Not the moment to give up.
After more than two weeks, 2,600 miles sailed, and an entire ocean crossed, we clinched the finish in a photo finish, just 27 seconds ahead.
Brian Uniacke and Team Tongyeong have successfully arrived in Cape Town after completing Stage 3 of the 2025/2026 Clipper Round the World Race! The team currently sits in 6th place, an impressive achievement after thousands of nautical miles at sea.
Up next, on November 16th, theyâll set off on Stage 4: Marlowâs Blue Ocean Sleigh Ride â an exhilarating 4,800nm ocean crossing from Cape Town, South Africa to Fremantle, Australia.
Meanwhile, Damien Payne has returned home after his incredible adventure with Team âPower of Seattle Sport.â Weâll continue to cheer on Damienâs teammates, who are currently in 4th place after earning 3 vital points at the scoring gate in the last stage.
Weâll hear more from Damien over the coming weeks, as he shares some of his amazing stories with us, from the âchoppyâ waters in the Bay of Biscay, to lightning storms mid Atlantic.
Our junior sailors have also been making waves abroad!
The following is a report of Marks thrilling finish posted by the organisers.
It is very noteworthy that Mark sailed 3260 nm which is between 100 and 150nm more than many of his closest competitors. To do so and finish so well is testament to Marks perseverance and skill in achieving his ambitions.
All of his efforts is only made possible by the superb support received from you all so bask in the reflected glory of this fantastic achievement
Members should note that the National Yacht Club has formalised a reciprocal rights agreement with the Yacht Club of Greece https://ycg.gr/en/home-en/. This new arrangement follows a recent meeting and burgee exchange with Stratis Andreadis of YCG Committee and deepens the strong ties between our clubs, allowing members to enjoy access to each clubâs facilities, participate in sporting and social events, and purchase distinctive club insignia