ISA Centre Principal 

  Barry O Sullivan, Vice Commodore, has been our ISA Centre Principal for a long number of years and has indicated that he would like to stand down, as he has had very little real involvement with the core areas for a few years now.

  Fortunately, our new Dinghy Chairperson, Olivia Flahive, who has been heavily involved with our rescue boats and powerboat courses, has volunteered her services to undertake this important role for the Club. She will be responsible (on our behalf) for ensuring proper standards are maintained to ISA Recognised Teaching Centre status, liaising regarding the running of courses such as Junior Training and Powerboats and ensuring our equipment is properly maintained by our members. Obviously, the Rear Commodore Sail and all the  personnel from the various Dinghy, Boatpark and Junior Training etc subcommittees would have a role to play in assisting the our new Principal. We wish her well and trust our members will support her fully in this role.

Wicklow Port Company

  The Club executive met with 4 representatives of the Port Co (Fachtna Whittle, Capt. John Barlow, Irene Winters and Charlie Byrne) in the Club on Weds 26th March. Many issues of concern to the membership were raised - dinghy slip, silting on moorings, fore and aft drying moorings, possible location of new boatpark, water on east pier and wooden fendering amongst others. The slip is to get immediate repairs effected and water can be run on East Pier at our cost on meter. They will look at the other issues and revert. Matters regarding the running of the Round Ireland were also discussed and positively dealt with.

 The south quay repairs are likely to be put back until 2009 and will involve traffic restrictions while in progress and with repairs due for the East Pier could cost €3m+. Major news coming forward from the directors are the plans proposed for (a) a Marina outside the East Pier and (b) the possibility of relocating the commercial port to the lower Murrough. Due to a fall off in traffic and the cost of repairs needed, it might be some time before these bear fruit but at least the seed has been sown.

  This was generally a very positive meeting and a wonderful means of exchanging views between the two bodies. A further meeting will be held in May to see the plans for the various proposed developments and hopefully hear of progress on the above issues of concern to WSC.

Clubhouse Development

  With several events planned (and some already held), the will to see our Clubhouse undergo a long overdue facelift is gathering momentum from the membership and all eyes are now on the powers that be to get things moving before the BMW Round Ireland drives into town. Have you an idea for raising funds to go with the Cheese and Wine, Table Quiiz, Lift-in Dinner and Car boot sale?

  On another front, the Club Development Committee has made application for Lottery funding to the Government and all fingers are crossed that we will be successful, to enable us update our rescue boats, boatpark fencing and kitchen facilities.

WRFC U-18 success

  Carrying on where they left off at U-16 level last year, our local youths, with several squad members in our Dinghy Section, won the Leinster League title against arch rivals Barnhall at Donnybrook Sun 9th Mar on a 9-3 scoreline. Subsequently they beat Ballinahinch (Ulster) 22-11 in the All Ireland semi-final, followed by an impressive 17-8 win in the Final over senior club, Bruff (home of the Bull John Hayes). Well done guys. Its high time WSC paid tribute to our own young rugby heroes by inviting the team to the Club.

Scholarly Duties

  Mayor Denis Teevan congratulates your correspondent on receipt of his UCD Scholarship (and Medal) for Welsh on March 7th. The Mayors daughter Aine was also honoured as was Carol Boland's (Space Inside) son Andrew -  keeping the Wicklow Academic flag flying.

Memories of the late Kathryn  Kinsella.

  It was with much regret that we have heard of Kathryn Kinsella’s passing on the 21^st February last.

  During the early days of the club back in the sixties and seventies Kathryn contributed a great deal of her time serving on the committee and indeed was club secretary for over four years along with, running the bar on a voluntary basis, especially when no one else was available to help, the lovely Kathryn would step in at short notice. Kathryn was a junior member sailing in the cadet dinghy class during the days when her Dad Captain William Kinsella was our Harbour Master – second coxswain on the Lifeboat, and hard working member of the then committee.Over many years Kathryn and her mother Mrs. Marie Kinsella were always on hand to work on the Ladies Committee cleaning and cooking when the need arose, especially during major sailing events over the summer season.

  Therefore those of us who knew Kathryn will miss her a great deal and will remember all the work she did for Wicklow Sailing Club. May she rest in peace. D.K.D.

Sailors Talk

 

   Frank Jackson, our resident expert on Nautical Surveys, gave a very interesting and enlightening talk on Friday 7th March on Lifejackets - key issues and maintenance - several members brought theirs along for a checkover - and he also gave some tips for getting ready for the new season.

  The most educational feature of the evening was the real life demonstration using an visibly worn CO2 gas cylinder - it only partially inflated the Lifejacket - a timely warning to our many owners and crew who missed out on this very worthwhile exercise. Fees of €85 went towards our Clubhouse Renovations.

Pat and Olivia Murphy on Aldebaran

  Finally, on Wednesday 12^th March at 8pm in Howth Yacht Club, in aid of the Hospice, we are giving a talk and slide show, together with the showing of a 30 minute DVD we made in Vanuatu, covering our adventures from Australia to Singapore by way of New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Indonesia during which we encountered Crocodiles, Komodo Dragons and Orang-utans. ALL WELCOME, PLEASE PASS THE WORD. Check them out on www.patandolivia.com (Wicklow was their last Irish port before heading off 5/6 years ago).

Motorboat section in our Club?

   The Irish Sailing Association have appointed Denis Dillon as their new Motorboat Development Officer. He is interested in knowing if we have a motor/powerboat class within our Club – please email denis.dillon@sailing.ie for further information. All our RIB, Powerboat and PWC owners should get together and discuss forming a sub-committee on the lines of our Dinghy, Cruiser and Junior sections, so that they can get best value from their investments. Liaise with Charlie, if assistance required.