Sheridan to put Fastnet disaster on big screen

A sea disaster off West Cork over 30 years ago which claimed 17 lives sets the scene for a new film by Jim Sheridan.

The Great Storm focuses on the 1979 Fastnet Race in which 15 yachtsmen died along with two spectators.

A worse-than-expected storm on the third day of the planned 605-mile race from Cowes direct to the Fastnet Rock and back to Plymouth wreaked havoc on more than 300 yachts.