by John McAleer
ICC Southern Members Welcome New Rear Commodore South, Séamus O’Connor
Southern members welcomed Séamus O’Connor as new Rear Commodore South at the monthly lunch held in Carrigaline on Wednesday 1st March. Séamus firstly thanked outgoing Rear Commodore Ann Lyons, on everyone’s behalf, for the wonderful work which she did over the last 3 years, in what were extraordinary difficult circumstances due to the pandemic. Séamus noted that ever cheerful and knowledgeable, Ann steered a safe course and ensured that what was possible and permitted by law was achieved during her term of office.
Séamus, who was elected as Rear-Commodore for the South at the AGM on February 17th. has previously served 5 years on the ICC Committee.
On his sailing background, Séamus purchased the sailing sloop Tapdancer, an ETAP 35i in Southampton in September 1998 and together with the late Captain Barry Dickenson (RFA) completed the delivery voyage to Bantry Bay. He established a mooring in Glengarriff, which has been his homeport since then. He joined the Bantry Bay Sailing Club 1998 and continues as a member, having served in various committee roles.
In Tapdancer, Séamus and his family have explored the Irish coast and cruised to the UK and the northwest coast of France, especially Brittany. He has another boat Slí Eile, a Hallberg Rassy 42, which he sails out of Lagos in the Algarve. Slí Eile has cruised to the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Galicia, and the Western Mediterranean. Typically, Slí Eile is ‘afloat’ from mid-September to mid-June and ashore for the hot summer months!
Jill and Dan Cross
Members will be very pleased to hear that popular ICC South couple Jill and Dan Cross, are back on the water with an exciting new purchase and are busy making Galician plans for this season.
Jill writes: “Having sold Yoshi in May 2020, we waited some time to find another craft after a lot of searching not helped by Covid. In October last year, we came across a Nimbus 37 in St. Quai Portrieux in Brittany and soon she was ours. We are looking forward to being back with Encore of Cork in Galicia mid to late May after 4 years.”
Encore in her berth at RCYC
Bantry Bay Cruise, August 2023
Bantry Bay is surely among the most scenic cruising grounds in the country. A Bantry Bay event is now becoming an annual feature of the ICC programme and we are planning to build on that growing tradition with a cruising event taking place during the first week of August, 2023.
Tuesday August 1
The Cruise will kick off with a barbecue at Lawrence Cove Marina at 1830. Rachel and Patrick Harrington will look after all members’ berthing and shore-side needs. Patrick will also provide the barbecuing facilities. Please bring your own food and any beverages. http://www.lawrencecovemarina.ie/about/index.html
Wednesday August 2
At 1100 we will set off on a sail-in-company up Bantry Bay to Bantry Marina and/or the Whiddy Island Pontoon. Members are free to enjoy the afternoon. It might be a nice idea to meet up at Bantry House for an Afternoon Tea, around 1600. https://www.bantryhouse.com
Thursday August 3
The merry making continues, when at 1100, the annual ICC Whiddy Island Chase will commence. Peter and Beverly Killen, on Pure Magic Too have kindly agreed to provide the line facilities.
That evening everyone is invited to assemble for drinks at the Bank House, Whiddy Island at 1700, either using the pontoon facility, or else travelling on the Whiddy passenger ferry, on which Tim O’Leary has kindly offered to do a special run for members. Dinner will be held at the Bank House at 1900. Kathleen and Tim will no doubt provide us with an excellent meal, using only the best of local produce.
Tim and Kathleen recently renovated the Old School House on Whiddy island, where they provide excellent family accommodation for guests. Rooms of various sizes are available. This facility might be of interest for any members thinking of inviting some additional family or friends. Early booking is advisable. https://whiddy.ie/school-house/
Friday August 4
We will have an early high water at Bantry and plan to make best use of the ebb tide to take the fleet back to Adrigole Harbour, in time for a lunchtime and afternoon raft-up. Swimming will be a definite possibility. There is also the possibility for Friday evening of having dinner at the Lookout Restaurant on Bere Island, but we are still unsure if the restaurant will be open.
