Hundreds of sailors to celebrate Bantry longboat

Hundreds of international sailors will take to the waters off West Cork from this weekend in a major celebration of an 18th century landing craft from a pivotal moment in Irish history.

About 300 sailors in 16 teams will go head-to-head under sail and oar in Bantry Bay longboats from Saturday, in a week-long series of competitions involving the historic French naval vessel.

Organisers of the Atlantic Challenge Bantry Bay Gig World Championships expect up to 15,000 visitors in the town over the next 10 days.