Royal Cork Yacht Club has always carried a proud and storied legacy and in 2025, it aimed to shed more light on those stories using social media. The goal was simple: celebrate the club, its members, its volunteers and its committees in a way that felt authentic, engaging and reflective of who we are—with sailing at the core of all content.

Chairperson of Communications and Events Gwen Roche helmed the initiative, with spotlights on members, volunteers, sailing, events, charities and more, using various social media formats.

Royal Cork Yacht Club would not be what it is today without the unwavering dedication of its members and volunteers. Their hard work, enthusiasm and deep-rooted loyalty form the backbone of the Club’s success, both on and off the water.

The Club’s day-to-day social media content reflects that by highlighting the achievements of sailors, sharing dynamic action shots, publishing club news and promoting events ranging from charity fundraisers to festive gatherings. They also shine a spotlight on the many different forms of racing within the Club.

During the summer, two mini-series were launched. Designed to boost engagement and broaden reach, both proved extremely successful by attracting viewers from across the globe.

The first series featured vox pops—short interviews with members—centered around a different theme or question. One of the most popular: “What makes our Club the greatest yacht club in the world?” The responses captured humor, pride and heartfelt sentiment, giving our audience an authentic sense of the Club.

The second series celebrated volunteers and acknowledged their passion and commitment to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the Club and making it safe both on and off the water.

In September, the Club participated in Cork County Council Culture Night for the first time—a nationwide celebration of Irish culture, creativity and the arts. Museums, galleries and cultural institutions across Ireland open their doors for free events. Club archivist, Kevin Lane, curated a remarkable historical tour of the clubhouse, featuring artifacts, displays, treasures, recalling our maritime history and sharing anecdotes. The event was a tremendous success, and the Club secured funding from Cork County Council to participate again next year.

We opened the tour to everyone; to members and those in the surrounding communities, which we promoted on social media to spread the word. News caught like wildfire, and a descendant of one of our founding members in 1720 also popped along to say hello—that can be the power of social media.

This social media strategy is reaping valuable rewards, with engagement rising and fellow clubs adopting similar approaches. We are proud to consider ourselves trendsetters in the sailing social media realm.

Royal Cork Yacht Club Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/royalcorkyc/

Royal Cork Yacht Club Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/royalcork/