Top yacht designer still haunted by Fastnet tragedy

IRELAND’S most famous yacht designer has told how he is still haunted by his memories of narrowly cheating death in the 1979 Fastnet disaster.

Kinsale-based Ron Holland, who took part in the race in which 15 men perished after a violent storm wreaked havoc on the 306 yachts taking part, admits he still reflects on how lucky he is to be alive.

The 63-year-old, who lost six of his own pals to the sea on that fateful August day, said he will pause to remember those who were lost tonight at a presentation show in Kinsale about a yacht he designed which competed in that same race.