Royal Cork Yacht Club hosted a vibrant Women on the Water event in mid-May, welcoming 52 female sailors to enjoy a relaxed and sociable day on Cork Harbour. More than 30 participants were sailing for the first time, underlining a growing enthusiasm for female involvement in the sport. It was also particularly encouraging to see so many of the club’s existing female members taking part, supporting newcomers and clearly enjoying the day themselves.

The event was supported by Irish Sailing, with spot prizes sponsored by 4orm, who also produced the event t‑shirts. Beginning with tea, coffee, and scones in the Club Bar, participants were welcomed by Gwen Roche, Chair of Membership and Events, who also took to time to talk to every guest individually and set a warm, inclusive tone for the day.

A team of 15 club members supported activities on and off the water The event was led by Dominic Daly Rear Admiral Dinghies. Alvin Deasy and Mia Murphy helmed the 1720s, supported by experienced crew Susanne Deane and Fiorentina Stanciu providing guidance and reassurance to the new sailors afloat.

Keelboat owners Admiral Denis Byrne, Ronan Twomey (Chair – Marina and Facilities Committee), Tim McCarthy, and Wan Waterman each took groups sailing, creating a relaxed environment for newcomers to try the sport. All 52 participants got to experiencing sailing on the day.

Harbour tours by RIB proved especially popular, with Patrick D’Arcy (Rear Admiral Keelboats) and Dominic Daly (Rear Admiral Dinghies) showcasing the beauty of Cork Harbour. Over 40 participants enjoyed time on the water in a RIB during the afternoon.

Safety on the water was coordinated by Marcus Worth, while Dick McGlade and Tom Mapplebeck managed crew changes afloat. Liz Daly and Susanne Deane looked after registration and participated afloat, contributing both ashore and on the water.

The atmosphere throughout the day was lively and sociable, with many participants connecting over shared new experiences. After sailing, the Club Bar buzzed with excitement as groups gathered for spot prizes and to learn more about opportunities to stay involved. A significant number expressed interest in joining the club and in taking part in adult sailing courses this summer.

The fully subscribed event demonstrated not only the appetite for women’s participation in sailing but also the strength of the volunteer spirit and community at Royal Cork Yacht Club.

A special thank you goes to Tom Mapplebeck who worked over the last number of weeks to get the 1720’s ready for the event, both were looking great as a result of Tom’s efforts.

Women on the Water 2026 will be remembered as a standout day—celebrating the joy of getting afloat. The Royal Cork Yacht Club community looks forward to welcoming many of these women back on the water in the coming months.