Haughey tradition lives on at Dingle Regatta

IT was a bit like old times at the Dingle Regatta yesterday, even if the star of the show for many years was missing.

Since the 1970s, the starting shot of the regatta had been fired by former Taoiseach Charles Haughey, who died last June. However, carrying on a long tradition, his son Conor fired the shot.

Large crowds of tourists at the event, which marks the high point of the tourism season in the scenic fishing port, admired a monument to Mr Haughey on the pier.

And, just to ensure that his memory will never be forgotten among rowers, the regatta committee and friends of Mr Haughey presented the Charlie Haughey Perpetual Cup for the winners of the senior women’s race.

“Charlie always started the women’s race, so we’ve decided to award the cup to the winners of that event,” explained regatta chairman Eddie Hutchinson.

The naval vessel, LÉ Orla, paid a courtesy visit to Dingle for the regatta.

Crowds lined the seafront to watch crews from all along the west coast competing with local crews in 17 races. Some of the races had up to 10 traditional “naomhógs” (canoes).

Meanwhile, 44 skippers who left Saint-Gilles-Croix- de-Vie, in France, on Friday, on the third leg of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro are due in Dingle today, or early tomorrow.

They were yesterday reported to be making steady inroads into the 479-mile long leg.

Weather conditions are expected to be calm today and organisers are hoping for a slackening of a westerly breeze to see the fleet into Dingle.

The Figaro boats, crews, supporters and visitors will give a boost to Dingle’s tourist industry this week.