Betty Armstrong

6 days ago | afloat.ie | Betty Armstrong

13,000 years ago, when the ice sheets finally melted, the drumlin field in the east of County Down was drowned and what was left of the drumlins formed islands. These islands are in various stages of erosion and pladdies, as they are known locally, are eroded islands submerged at high tide. That sea inlet is 30km long and the largest sea lough in the British Isles. There are seventy islands and numerous pladdies in the Lough.

2 weeks ago | afloat.ie | Betty Armstrong

Over half of the record-breaking 72 strong fleets at last weekend's Ulster ILCA championships hosted by East Antrim Boat Club were top-performing sailors from Northern Ireland in each of the three classes. East Antrim Boat Club celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Coincidently, the Laser class is reportedly 50 years old. Still, that figure varies from club to club – Ballyholme celebrated its Laser class 50th in 2021. Dublin Bay ILCA had its anniversary in the same year.

Nov 16, 2024 | afloat.ie | Betty Armstrong

Portrush Yacht Club was founded in 1894 and now has about 1000 members. It lies in the Town Harbour between two long beaches, the West and East Strands, on the spectacular northern Causeway Coast. This year on 15th December Santa will arrive by Jet Ski at the Clubhouse and show off his 'sled' as well as giving each child a present. There will be face painting and crafts throughout the afternoon.

Nov 7, 2024 | afloat.ie | Betty Armstrong

The racing season ended at Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Belfast Lough at the end of October with the RUYC Autumn Series, after eight races on a variety of windward/leeward and round the lough courses. John Minnis's Archambault A35 Final Call II dominated IRC 1 with virtually consistent top places in the six boat fleet and winning IRC 1 YTC was another Archambault A35, Adrian Allen's Succession.

Oct 22, 2024 | afloat.ie | Betty Armstrong

The enormous Barnett  Room , with its curved ceilings, stained glass windows, and artwork, was the grand venue in the Belfast Harbour Commissioners office for the Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland's 50th Anniversary celebrations. As explained in the event programme, the turbulent political situation in Northern Ireland resulted in the breakup of the Stormont government in 1972.