Cobh Traditional Sail Regatta 2012

Under the shadow of St Colmans Cathedrial in Cobh - Photo Courtesy of Leon Allen, Cobh

The annual Cobh Traditional Sail Regatta was held from 29th June to the 1st July 2012, on the waters adjacent to the amphitheatre of the town of Cobh. The annual event is organised in association with The Cove Sailing Club and the Naval Service Yacht Squadron. It is an opportunity to enjoy both sea and shore activities with welcome barbeques, traditional music, sea shanties and an eventful prize giving ceremony.
The Cobh Traditional Sail pennant derives from the Cork one design a boat that wasbuilt for under £100 over 100 years ago. The first six were built by the Carrigaloe Gridiron & Works Company and were launched in June of 1896. Two more were to be built at Carrigaloe, three at Passage West and one in Baltimore, West Cork, bringing the total to 12. Sadly only a few remain and it is great once again to see those graceful craft turned out in all their finery.

Dr. Michael Martin, Mayor Sinead Sheppard and Trad Sail Chairman Jack Hickey at the opening of the Regatta - Photo Courtesy of Leon Allen, Cobh

Friday night’s opening ceremony included a welcome address from Mayor of Cobh Sinead Sheppard and Dr. Michael Martin of the Titanic Trail fame officially opened the regatta with an overview of the Titanic events and some maritime history that occurred from and within Cork harbour.

This year’s event attracted twenty seven traditional boats, which provided a magnificent display of colour and style, especially on the Saturday in front of the town of Cobh. The pinnacle of the weekend is the Parade of Sail on Sunday afternoon when all boats dress up in there colourful flags and sailed up river to Ringiskiddy ferry terminal turn around and sail back down the full length of the town of Cobh to the spit Lighthouse and then return to finish in front of the Yacht Club building which once housed the oldest yacht club in the world. Unfortunately on the Sunday the Sea Gods did not favor us with sunshine and a fair wind.
A local boat builder the Rankin Brothers give their name to the Rankin Class of a 12 foot clinker built wooden boat these boats have been on the water since the 1950’s and are still going strong today. They had their own race on Saturday with Local John Doyle finishing ahead of Alan Horgan who travelled from Dublin to compete.

Start of the Trad Sail Regatta at Cobh - Photo Courtesy of Leon Allen, Cobh

The Race officer of the day Eugene Ryan and Brendan Ryan set challenging courses on both days. Ivan Wolf on Nobel Shamrock from Monkstown was the Traditional sail wooden boat winner with EoinCarmody’s Shadow from East Ferry winning the Trad Sail GRP class. Ed Curtis/UnaLordan Sigma 38 Assarain from Cobh were the winners of the White Sail Class.
This year we introduce Sea Shanties to our regatta, with performances on the Saturday and Sunday evenings in order to compliment the concept of traditional sailing. This was organized by locals Conor and Jessie Anthony and was well received by all.

No event can be successful without the support of our sponsors; Pressure Hydraulics, CH Marine, Union Chandlery, Cobh Credit Union, Direct Chandlery, AIB, Cobh Town Council and Port of Cork.

Finally as the Cobh Traditional Sail motto says “THOSE who wander are not always LOST” We look forward to next year’s Traditional Sail event where the Sea Gods may send us favorable weather.

Tall masts dwarfed by the spire of St Colmans Cathedrial - Photos Courtesy of Leon Allen, Cobh