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The oldest yacht club in the world, Royal Cork, celebrated its 300th anniversary this weekend at its original location on Haulbowline Island.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, Simon Coveney, raised a commemorative flag where the RCYC began its journey as the “Cork Harbor Water Club” in 1720, which is now the Naval Headquarters of Ireland.
The yacht club moved to nearby Cobh from 1854 to 1966 before crossing the harbor to its current location in Crosshaven.
Mr. Coveney also visited a new exhibit on the club’s 300-year history at its former base, which is now the Sirius Arts Center in Cobh. The exhibition will be open until December.
The major tricentennial celebrations, which Mr Coveney had described as “Ireland’s most important maritime event in our lifetime”, which would “firmly position Cork as a maritime paradise and a must see destination for anyone involved in boating worldwide, “had to be canceled due to Covid-19.
The Prince of Wales had donated a specially commissioned trophy for a race to celebrate the tricentennial and the prestigious Morgan Cup was set to arrive in Ireland for the first time, as was the International Festival of the Motorboat Championship. Other major events like Volvo Cork Week and a classic yacht regatta also had to be canceled.
Commenting on the small ceremony at Haulbowline on Saturday, Mr. Coveney said: “It is a real pleasure to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
“We should have been celebrating with one of the most important maritime festivals in the history of the port of Cork this summer, certainly in my life, but due to Covid-19 none of that has been possible. I am delighted that we were able to have a small ceremony here with Club Admiral Colin Morehead, Irish Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, and Naval Service Commanding Officer Flag Officer Commodore Michael Malone, to acknowledge this important day. . ”
Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral Colin Morehead said: “We are deeply sorry that we had to reschedule our celebratory events, but public health must come first. We hope that by 2021 we will be in a much better position to truly celebrate the momentous feat of having the oldest sailing club in the world here in Cork. “
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