Today at the Royal Cork Yacht Club for the second day of the Neville Jewellers At Home regatta was a day that couldn’t have been better in any way.  The sun shone, there was a nice sailing breeze, described by one young lady sailing a J24 as a bit hairy at times, and on shore the festivities got into full swing.

 

To start off the afternoon the band of the 1st Southern Brigade commenced their recital under the baton of Captain Brian Prendergast.  Their musical selection was superb and  whether sitting or standing feet were tapping, hands were clapping and children were dancing excitedly on the lawn.  An interesting aside on the band was the presence of one of the Clarinetists, Heather Falvey, a teenager going into Junior Certificate year  and who is on work experience with the band from her VEC music course. Heather’s ambition is to have a career in music and  she certainly swung it with the best of them today, watched proudly by her parents and sister, another talented musician.  The gathering really got tremendous pleasure from this outstanding military band resplendent in their pristine uniforms and the sun glinting on their instruments.

Meanwhile, the Sailors were returning off the water to an atmosphere of bonhomie, members and their families were streaming into the club, the flags were fluttering merrily in the breeze and the setting was perfect for a wonderful afternoon of entertainment, feasting and various competitions. There was a hotly contested crab fishing competition for competitors under seven years of age on the Western Marina and the spoon and spud race on the lawn. There were tug of war competitions for young people of various age groups and  the command of “take the strain” was to be heard loud and clear as the youngsters hauled, moved backwards and forward, fell down and got up again before the final winners emerged.

Then it was “Ritz” time as Olga, the Admiral’s lady, and her band of excellent tea ladies commenced serving the goodies and what an array of savoury and sweet delicacies awaited the hungry crowd. What a pleasure it was to be able to  bring the delicious offerings out into the sunshine to enjoy while listening the the band. What more could anyone ask for.

Next it was time for the Admirals Boules Match and after much competition and shouts of encouragement from the assembled throng  one of the former Admirals, Anthony O’Leary, emerged the clear winner.

Finally, the eagerly awaited prize giving by Sponsor John Neville of Neville Jewellers, before the weary but happy members and their families began to leave for home.  It was a truly memorable and happy At Home Regatta Sunday.  Once more we had lots of happy babies being wheeled round in their summer finery. As usual we had  all age groups from the babies to the grannies and granddads and we had the usual gathering  of canines from little terriers and poodles to Golden Retrievers,  English Collies, German Shepherds and Jimmy Nyhan and Marita Buwalda’s’ Basset Hound, Ziggy, so used to being photographed he must feel like a film star. He’s certainly a dab hand at posing for the camera!

Admiral Paddy McGlade, Olga, and all involved in the organisation of the day (including the Gods for the sunshine and breeze) can certainly feel very happy tonight knowing their efforts resulted in such enjoyment for the members and their families.

Tonight I ask you to  forgive your scribe  for waxing a little bit lyrical but  it was such a happy and relaxed day I thought it might be nice for those who couldn’t be there to enjoy it to get a taste of what it was like.

Images HERE

Royal Cork Yacht Club At Home Regatta  Day One

Excellent conditions were enjoyed today (Sat) for the first day of the two day At Home at Royal Cork.  In a northerly breeze the cruisers started outside the harbour with Flica as the committee boat and the fleet was initially sent in the harbour against wind and tide before heading off again on an offwind leg. 

A splendid  fleet of white sail boats participated as well as Classes One, Two, and Three/Four of the cruiser fleets.

Race Officer Kevin Lane in Adrielle started a mix of dinghies ranging from National 18s, 505s from Monkstown, a 49er, several Taz, 420s and Fevas.

Michael McCann ,Optimist Class Captain, and Rear Admiral Dinghies, Dr.Larrie Martin, arrived later in Nemo with a  good fleet of Optimists and they enjoyed great racing on the Curlane Bank as the wind had come up somewhat at this stage. Racing continues tomorrow.

Images HERE

Cruiser Results HERE