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In 1720, 26-year-old William O'Brien, the ninth Lord Inchiquin, and five of his friends got together to establish "The Water Club of the Harbour of Cork". This club is known today as the Royal Cork Yacht Club and is the oldest yacht club in the world. They are located in Crosshaven, County Cork.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club today encompasses a wide variety of sailing activities from young kids in their optimist and mirror dinghies sailing right through the winter months to the not-so-young kids racing national 18s and 1720s during the remaining nine months. There is also enthusiastic sailing in 470s, Int.14s, Lasers, Laser IIs and other dinghies.

Cork Week, held every two years, is regarded as Europe's most competitor friendly regatta and attracts contestants from all over the world to Crosshaven.

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World’s oldest Yacht Club marks 300th birthday – Royal Cork Yacht Club, Cork, Ireland

2 September 2020 By Tom Collins [email protected]

The Royal Cork Yacht Club, which is the oldest sailing club in the world, had to rescheduled most of its Cork300 events series planned to celebrate its 300th birthday until July 2021, as a result of Covid-19.

Pictured here are Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence Simon Coveney TD, Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club Colin Morehead, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service Commodore Michael Malone and Chief of Staff, Irish Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett. Picture Darragh Kane

Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defence Simon Coveney TD marked the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s 300th birthday at a small ceremony on Haulbowline island this weekend (Saturday 29 Aug), 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, supported by AIB, at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh, another former home of the sailing club from 1854 to 1966. The exhibition, which will run until December, looks back on the history of the club over 300 years, and what life was like during its time in Cobh.

Pictured here are Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club Colin Morehead, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence Simon Coveney TD, Chief of Staff, Irish Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett and Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service Commodore Michael Malone Picture Darragh Kane

Pictured here are Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence Simon Coveney TD, Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club Colin Morehead, Chief of Staff, Irish Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett and Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service Commodore Michael Malone Picture Darragh Kane

The National 18 Southern Championships and the AIB 1720 Southern Championships went ahead this weekend, with activity limited to the water. The hope is to truly mark the significant occasion next summer with a Tricentenary Maritime Parade in Cobh, a Tricentenary at Home Weekend Regatta, a Powerboat Festival, an exciting world-record attempt, A Family Race to the City, a Cork300 Gala Dinner in Cork City Hall, a Wild Atlantic Way Cruise in Company along the Cork and Kerry coastline, and more events yet to be announced.

The celebrations will coincide with the Irish Navy’s 75th anniversary and the final year of Seafest in Cork, making it a significant year for maritime celebrations in the county.

Commenting at the ceremony at Haulbowline, Minister Simon Coveney said, “It is a real pleasure to mark the 300th birthday of the Royal Cork Yacht Club. 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.

“We should have been celebrating with one of the most significant maritime festivals in the history of Cork harbour this summer, certainly in my lifetime, but because of Covid-19 none of that has been possible. I am delighted we could hold a small ceremony here with the Admiral of the Club Colin Morehead, the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, and the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service Commodore Michael Malone, to recognise this very important day.”

Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club Colin Morehead said, “I am really proud to stand here today at the original home of the Water Club of Cork, 300 years on from when it was founded by 25 pioneering individuals, alongside Minister Coveney, the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces and the Flag Officer Commending Naval Service. 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.

“I hope the public will visit the excellent exhibition at the Sirius over the coming months. As branch manager of AIB in Cobh, I am proud to have this exhibition in the town and to have it sponsored by AIB. I would like to sincerely congratulate the team at Sirius.”

A number of sailing events are currently still scheduled to take place from September to November 2020, including the AIB Cork300 Autumn League which will be held over 5 weekends leading up to the October Bank Holiday. This is expected to be the largest yacht racing event on the South Coast of Ireland this year. Sailing teams from across the country also hope to compete in Cork Harbour for the title of AIB Irish Team Racing National Champion 2020 from 21-22 November.

Pictured here are Chief of Staff, Irish Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence Simon Coveney TD, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service Commodore Michael Malone and Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club Colin Morehead. Picture Darragh Kane

For more see www.royalcork.com – in partnership with AIB (premier partner), Volvo Car Ireland, Musto, Cork County Council, and Cork City Council.

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The Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, the world’s oldest yacht club dating back to 1720, announced an historic milestone yesterday evening with the appointment of its first female Admiral, Annamarie Fegan.

In addition, the new executive will include three females for the first time, bringing fresh perspectives and direction to the club’s leadership.

Over its remarkable 303-year history, the Royal Cork Yacht Club has evolved from being a gentlemen’s sailing club to a family-oriented institution. This latest achievement, with a female taking up the highest ranking position of the club, represents another progressive step forward in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the sailing community.

Annamarie Fegan, an ardent sailor and a devoted member of the club for many years, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her new role. Her appointment highlights the club’s commitment to empowering women in the sport and fostering an environment where all members can thrive. Over the last 25 years, Annamarie has held a number of voluntary positions within the club. She was instrumental in hosting some of the club’s biggest events, including the Volvo Cork Week. She has achieved much both on and off the water. Former owner of catering business An Excellent Choice, Annamarie re-trained as a co-creational psychotherapist and recently completed a masters in the psychotherapy of relationship mentoring. On the water, she has enjoyed many sailing triumphs, her proudest being with her daughters Molly and Mia, her husband Denis and the Nieulargo Crew as they won the best Irish boat in the iconic Fastnet Race last year.

Annamarie’s ambition is to get more people on the water. Commenting, she said, “I’m really passionate about giving opportunities to get more young people on the water. We have pathways for all ages into sailing from young kids to teens and adults. Not everyone can afford to own a boat but every boat needs a crew and we are always looking for crew. Anyone can get involved these days and it’s a really great sport. You learn fantastic skills from basic boat-handling to decision-making. Most of all it’s fun and challenging! We here at the Royal Cork are working really hard to break through the social and financial barriers that may have prevented people from trying out sailing up to now. We want to make it accessible for all who wish to give it a try. For instance, every 6th class child in Crosshaven gets the chance to do a one-week sailing course and people of all ages can sign up for our Try Sailing courses. While some people enjoy the competitive side, some just want to enjoy being part of a club and having fun on the water. For instance, the mixed dinghies with kids are huge now – they really enjoy it.”

Commenting on being the first female to hold the highest position in the club, Admiral Annamarie said “As the club’s first female Admiral, I stand on the shoulders of outstanding female members who worked tirelessly for the club but were not given this opportunity. I am confident that we have amazing girls rising up through the ranks who will be well suited to take on this post in the future. I’m very excited about working with the new leadership team as the volunteers are the backbone of the club.”

Speaking about the family benefits of sailing, she said. It’s great for mental health, getting out in the fresh air, and it opens up fantastic opportunities. My children (both in their early 20’s) have travelled teaching sailing. Nothing beats the feeling of being on the water – it clears my head. We are lucky here in Cork to have such great facilities for sailing.”

Annamarie Fegan takes to the helm in a year that the club is hosting two prestigious events – the Irish Sailing Youth Nationals in April, and the bi-annual Volvo Cork Week from 15-19th July.

Commenting, Minister Simon Coveney said “The Royal Cork Yacht Club has always been a pioneer for sailing, both in Cork and internationally. As the oldest sailing club in the world it has led the way in the growth of sailing. Annamarie’s leadership will inspire a new generation of sailing families. I am confident that under her leadership the Royal Cork Yacht Club will remain at the cutting edge of sailing in the coming decades.”

The Royal Cork Yacht Club also expressed its gratitude to outgoing Admiral Kieran O Connell for his dedicated service. Commenting Gavin Deane, General Manager at Royal Cork Yacht Club said, “We are indebted to Kieran for his great leadership and direction over the last number of years. His vision and dedication has been instrumental in the great development and growth of the club. We look forward to the innovative and inclusive direction that Annamarie will undoubtedly bring to the role”.

Founded in 1720, the Royal Cork Yacht Club is the oldest yacht club in the world. With a rich history and a commitment to promoting sailing excellence, the club has played a vital role in shaping the maritime heritage of the Cork region. The club offers a range of courses and training opportunities for people of all ages from Junior Try sailing, cadets, optimist, Keelboats, topper and laser fleets, adult beginner and advanced sailing courses and the recently revived mixed dingy fleet which feeds into the junior academy.

www.royalcork.com

• Annamarie Fegan

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Fast Facts: Royal Cork Yacht Club

IRELAND — Did you know the world’s oldest standing yacht club was initially housed inside a castle? Royal Cork Yacht Club, located on Ireland’s southern coast, opened its doors in 1720 and welcomed its guests and members to a castle on Hawlbowline Island, which was just beyond the mouth of River Lee.

The establishment of a yacht club in Ireland came at a time when recreational boating and sailing were relatively new activities. Boating or sailing for pleasure, by Royal Cork YC’s account, picked up in the Netherlands during the early 1600s. Pleasure sailing apparently picked up steam in the 1660s, when King Charles II of England returned to the throne and sailed a yacht gifted to him by the Dutch on the River Thames.

Royal Cork YC’s home – be it at Hawlbowline Island or its later locations – was always on the far outskirts of Cork, which was named after the Irish phrase for “Great Marsh of Munster.” (Cork is located in the Irish province of Muster.)

The earliest recorded settlement of Cork actually reaches as far back as the sixth or seventh century, more than 1,000 years before the founding of Royal Cork YC.

Cork itself was a maritime and naval hub during the American War of Independence. In fact the British military’s presence in Cork eventually forced Royal Cork YC to move out of its Hawlbowline Island castle and into new digs elsewhere.

“A History of the Royal Cork Yacht Club” recounts the club’s past in book format. The 480-page book was released in 2005 and features 770 color images – about 285 years after the club organized.

The club, after merging with Royal Munster Yacht Club in the 1960s, found its current home on the southern shore of Owenabue River and a short distance from Crosshaven Boatyard. Even a bus station in the area is referred to as “Yacht Club southbound.”

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Leading Yacht Clubs • Working Together • Sharing Experiences

Royal Cork Yacht Club Unveils Historical Supplement Ahead of 303rd AGM

Royal Cork Yacht Club

February 14, 2024

Just prior to the 303rd Annual General Meeting of the Royal Cork Yacht Club , Dr. Alicia St Leger, Past Admiral Colin Morehead, and Dr. T. Paul McCarthy presented a new historical supplement that builds on the research the informed the 2005 publication, A History of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

The brainchild of Dermot Burns, who served as Club Archivist from 1991 to 2019, the supplement delves into the early history of the Royal Cork Yacht Club . Burns, deeply involved in exploring the club’s history, was the inspiration behind the 2005 book. He continued his research post-publication, focusing particularly on its early period. In 2019, he expressed his intention to publish his findings coinciding with the club’s tricentenary. Unfortunately, the onset of the Covid pandemic and other factors led to delays, and in late 2021, before his death a few months later, Burns entrusted the completion of the project to then Admiral Colin Morehead.

Collaborating with Dr. Alicia St Leger, author of A History of the Royal Cork Yacht Club , and Dr. T. Paul McCarthy, Morehead ensured that Burns’ extensive research is now available for future generations.

During the occasion, Admiral Kieran O’Connell expressed gratitude, saying, “On behalf of the Flag Officers and Members of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, I want to express my sincere appreciation for all the efforts and endeavors which have gone into the preparation of this supplement by its author Dr Alicia St Leger and fellow members Colin Morehead and Dr T. Paul McCarthy.”

Dr. Alicia St Leger, shedding light on the supplement, mentioned, “The earliest known reference for the club is 1720, and this is the start date of the supplement. As is clear by the text, the sequence of dates has gaps.” She emphasized the limited source material for this historical period, but highlighted the club’s holdings and the scrutiny of various sources, including newspapers, artworks, maps, charts, and contemporary written accounts up to and including 1833.

St Leger pointed out that the documented history reveals how the club experienced times of great activity and expansion, as well as challenging periods, particularly during wars. “The sequence also shows how changing times necessitated periodic renewal and updating of the club’s organization, something that was essential to ensure its long-term survival and growth,” she added.

Dr. T. Paul McCarthy concluded by stating, “It is likely that further information will be found in the future that will shed light on the development of the club in this period, and it is hoped that this document will assist future researchers in this regard.” The supplement serves as a crucial addition to the preservation and understanding of the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s storied past as it continues to navigate its way into the future.

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The Royal Cork Yacht Club

Club house, Royal Cork Yacht Club Queenstown.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club has the distinction of being the oldest yacht club in the world, for the earliest documents connected with it date as far back as 1720—’ Rules and Orders for the Water Club of the Harbour of Cork.’ These rules, which were first printed in 1765, are very quaint, and throw an interesting light on the manners and customs of our ancestors nearly two centuries ago. Apparently the club in 1720 consisted of six members only, whose names are given in the rules—viz., Lord Inchiquin, Hon. James O’Bryen, Charles O’Neal, Henry Mitchell, John Rogers, and Richard Bullen, chaplain. In 1760 there were only twenty mem­bers, although twenty-five was at that time the limit of member­ship; but the club must have been in a flourishing condition at that time if we may judge by the two paintings in the possession of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, one of which represents two yachts belonging to members of the club, and the other the fleet proceeding ‘a few leagues out to sea,’ led by the Admiral. These pictures were painted by Monamy in 1738, and the latter contains some dozen vessels beating to windward after the Admiral. Curious-looking vessels these are, with short bluff bows, brightly painted and gilded, lightly rigged as cutters, with pole masts, short gaffs, rather long booms, short bowsprits considerably steeved, and without bobstays or bowsprit shrouds. They had very little standing rigging, and the simplest possible running gear. The Admiral flew a Union Jack at the masthead, whilst the others flew long streaming pen­dants, and all, Admiral included, had a Union Jack on a staff on the bowsprit end and an ensign on a staff stepped on the taffrail, the latter a not very handy arrangement in working short tacks.

How the club fared after 1765 is unrecorded, but it would seem to have diminished in prosperity, for in 1806 a few gentlemen agreed to revive it, and were successful in doing so, albeit to a limited extent; and, after existing for a century, it was all but extinct in 1821. However, in 1822 a small club, called the Little Monkstown Club, was formed, and in 1828 these two clubs were amalgamated under the title of the Cork Yacht Club. Two years later (in 1830) the prefix Royal was granted to the club, and three years later the privilege of free access to all French ports was bestowed upon it by the French Government.In the ‘Rules and Orders’ to which reference has been made, the secretary is ordered to ‘prepare an Union Flag with the Royal Irish Harp and Crown on a Green Field in the Center.’ The season is arranged with the utmost simplicity : ‘Ordered, That the Water Club be held once every Spring Tide, from the first Spring Tide in April to the last in September, inclusive.’ It is also ordered : ‘That no Admiral do bring more than two Dishes of Meat for the Entertainment of the Club ‘; and another resolution checks his  prodigality in liquid refreshment: ‘That no Admiral presume to bring more than two Dozen of Wine to his Treat ; for it has always been deem’d a Breach of the ancient Rules and Constitutions of the Club, except when my Lords the Judges are invited.’ This seems to indicate that the judges of those days were of a singularly bibulous nature. Vanity was also curbed to some extent: ‘Ordered, That no long-tail Wigs, large Sleeves, or Ruffles be worn by any Member at the Club.’ A manuscript note, however, stated that this rule was to be abolished.

To talk of sailing after dinner involved a fine of a bumper, and every member was bound, on pain of expulsion, to entertain in course of seniority. Indeed, so largely did conviviality bulk in the proceedings of the club that it was mere prudence to resolve ‘That all Business of the Club be done before Dinner, except appointing the Time of the next Meeting, or presenting, mulcting, and levying fines.’ Fines of one English crown were levied on owners failing to send their yachts to any meeting, this money going to provide gunpowder for the use of the fleet. This shows very clearly that the club was intent, not so much upon its feasts, as upon carrying out its cruises, and one of the rules expressly puts a limit upon indulgence in wine, for on April 21, 1739, it was ordered ‘That for the future, unless the Company exceed the number of fifteen, no Man be allowed more than one Bottle to his Share, and a Peremp­tory.’ What a peremptory was must remain in doubt—probably a drink of good-fellowship which none might shun.

The headquarters of the club was Hawlbowline Island, and whether it actually belonged to the members or not, it is certain that they assumed sovereignty over it. The club flag was ordered ‘to be hoisted on Club days early in the morning, on the Castle of Hawlboline,’ and the ‘Knight of the Island for the Time being’ had certain duties of stewardship to perform. The Admiral (the Royal Cork, the Squadron and Mudhook are the only British clubs the chiefs of which are styled Admirals) had greater power. He, or three ‘captains ‘ appointed by him, had to decide all dis­putes, non-acquiescence in any ruling involving expulsion. A foot­note to this rule expressly includes the chaplain in its scope, ‘or any other inferior Officer.’ No person was permitted to land on Hawlboline Island on any club day without the Admiral’s permis­sion. During the cruises he had absolute command, and vessels as they joined the fleet on club days had to cheer him three times ‘if they have not guns to salute,’ and it was a rule that ‘no boat shall presume to sail ahead of the Admiral, or depart from the fleet without his orders.’ Rule 12 ran : ‘That the Admiral of the Day, to be the better distinguished, do wear at his Mast Head a proper small Flag.’ This ‘proper small flag,’ according to the old picture to which reference has been made, was the Union Jack, which, no doubt, had been adopted as the Admiral’s flag early in the life of the club, but in 1759 the privilege was officially granted to wear the embroidered Jack with a device in the centre. This the Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club wears to the present day, and a is a privilege which no other club has ever acquired.

The ‘Sailing Orders’ were replete with instructions as to sig­nalling with guns and flags, and a captain could hardly venture on a nip at a ‘Peremptory’ without signalling for the consent of the Admiral. These early navigators were apparently not unacquainted with sea-sickness, for an order runs ‘If a Captain has any Body very Sick on Board him, and wants to go to the Island, he is to make a Waft of his Ensign, to lower his Pendant half down, and Fire a Gun ; if he gets the Admiral’s leave, he will be shewn a white Flag in the shrowds, if not, a Red one and a Gun fired.’ One may vividly imagine the anxiety of the suffering one whilst waiting to see whether the white or red flag should be shown!In common with many other clubs, the Royal Cork has suffered in recent years from the increasing multitude of regattas, in the hurry to attend which the racing fleet is apt to disregard its fixture. Nevertheless it provides ample sport for its members, and possesses all the virility which has kept it so long prominent.