Saoirse Rally from Ireland to Madeira
by Daria Blackwell 3 Oct 2022 07:13 UTC
Saoirse departs from Dun Laoghaire in June 1923 at the start of her voyage © Irish Times
Invitation from the Irish Cruising Club to celebrate Conor O'Brien's Circumnavigation 100 years ago (1923-2023).
Next year will mark the centenary of the commencement of Conor O'Brien's remarkable two-year circumnavigation south of each of the great capes, the first by an amateur yachtsman. The voyage was conducted under the Royal Cruising Club burgee (ICC was founded in 1929) and the ensign of the newly independent Ireland. He was awarded the RCC Challenge Cup in each of the years 1923, 24 and 25. O'Brien was elected as the first honorary member of the ICC following its foundation in 1929.
To mark the anniversary of this momentous cruise, the Irish Cruising Club is organizing a rally to Madeira next year (2023) as the first leg of O'Brien's cruise was from Dun Laoghaire to Madeira. They would be delighted if members of the Ocean Cruising Club would join them in their yachts. Link below to the information that ICC have issued to their own members.
The cruise will consist of two weeks sailing the Madeiras, with events organised onshore at Porto Santo, Funchal, and Ilhas Desertas. Yachts will sail from their respective locations to meet in Port Santo around the 29th of June.
Because of port size limitations in Madeira, the number of yachts participating is restricted to approximately 50 and thus we are pleased to offer approximately eight places to OCC members. This number may be capable of increasing depending on uptake by their own members and other guest clubs. If any of your members wish to express interest in joining the event, please ask them to do so by contacting Seamus O'Connor, chairman of the organizing sub-committee at .
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This article has been provided by the courtesy of Ocean Cruising Club.