Dun Laoghaire vies with Aran Islands for sailing affections

Two sailing regattas this week, on opposite coasts, have succeeded in mustering a large proportion of Ireland’s boating community. And both, in turn have their own spectacles on offer although for different reasons.

On Dublin Bay, the biennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta begins this afternoon with an official turnout of 475 boats although this is widely predicted to top 490 entries when latecomers are facilitated.

And at Cill Ronan in the Aran Islands, the annual West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association week got underway yesterday where 45 boats have made the journey to the outskirts of Galway Bay.