Tom MacSweeney

Ireland

Executive Editor, News at Marine Times (Ireland)

Columnist at AFLOAT Magazine (Ireland)

Host at Tom MacSweeney's Maritime Ireland

Columnist at Echo Live

Marine Journalist. Exec Ed Marine Times. Columnist THE ECHO & Afloat. Podcast/Blog

Featured in: Favicon

marinetimes.ie Favicon

afloat.ie

echolive.ie

Articles

June Sees One-Third of Summer Drownings, Warns Water Safety

1 week ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

A third of all summer drownings happen in June, Water Safety Ireland has revealed from its annual statistics. The Chair of the State organisation says that 78 people drowned in total in 2024, the same as in 2023 and "while this is thankfully lower than the ten-year average of 112, it is still a tragic unnecessary loss of life," WSI says. 56 males and 22 females died in drowning accidents in 2024.
Celebrating 200 Years of Lifeboats in Courtmacsherry

2 weeks ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

The first lifeboat station, established in the seaside village of Courtmacsherry in 1825, was one of the first to be founded in Ireland. Its crews have been presented with 14 awards for gallantry. The West Cork village will hold a weekend of celebrations on the June bank holiday to mark the 200th anniversary. "We have a packed programme for the holiday weekend in Courtmacsherry," says Vincent O'Donovan of the RNLI Station.
Government Wants to Move Maritime Development Forward Says Taoiseach

2 weeks ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

The main theme of Taoiseach Micheal Martin's address to the opening session of European Maritime Day in Cork this morning (May 22nd) was that the government wants to move forward in developing the maritime sector because of its importance to the national economy. He spoke of the importance of Ireland's maritime heritage and how it had contributed to shaping the nation.
Oireachtas Chairman to Review Sea Fisheries Protection System

2 weeks ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

The Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and the Marine is keen to examine, with "a good, long, hard look," how sea fisheries protection operates in Ireland. Conor McGuinness, Sinn Fein TD for Waterford, comes from a fishing family and says he is aware of concern in coastal communities about how the system of protection operates.
Ireland's Seafood Sector Shows Resilience, Exports Up 9%

2 weeks ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

The Chief Executive of the State fisheries board, Caroline Bocquel of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, says her organisation is strengthening the position of the seafood sector, pointing to the 'Business of Seafood' Report published today (Tuesday) which "demonstrates the sector's resilience and capacity to adapt as markets continue to shift." "Ireland's seafood sector is central to our coastal communities and food economy," she says.
Monkstown Bay to Host T-Bourke 'Dash for Cash' Sailing Race

2 weeks ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

The T-Bourke 'Dash for Cash' at Monkstown Bay Sailing Club is the main dinghy event in Cork Harbour this weekend. It will be sailed on Saturday, with First Gun at 1455. This annual event is a mixed dinghy pursuit race, with a top prize of €300 for first overall; €100 for the first helm under 18 and €50 for the first Feva.
Manzanita and Mischief Shine in Schull Sailing Season Openers

2 weeks ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

Peter Duggan's Holland Quarter-Tonner, Manzanita, won the Rosbrin Trophy at Schull Harbour Sailing Club in West Cork. The Geneveve Trophy was won by John Molloy's Starlight 35, Mischief. Both boats led the club's fleet after two races of the Murray May All-In Echo League, of which these trophies were also part of the racing. After last weekend's racing, Mischief is in first place overall in the league on three points. Manzanita is one behind on four.
Join Whale Watch Day 2025: Experience Nature Along the Coast

3 weeks ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

Marine Wildlife Around Ireland One of the greatest memories of any day spent boating around the Irish coast is an encounter with marine wildlife. It's a thrill for young and old to witness seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales right there in their own habitat. As boaters fortunate enough to have experienced it will testify even spotting a distant dorsal fin can be the highlight of any day afloat. Was that a porpoise? Was it a whale?
Meitheal Mara Aim for New Maritime Cork Maritime Activity Centre

4 weeks ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

"Building a stronger, more connected maritime community," is the aim of a Cork Maritime Activity Centre which would be a hub for community water-based activities. This is the aim of the city's community boatyard, Meitheal Mara, whose announcement coincides with an on-going public consultation started by Cork City Council for its own Docklands Framework Plan. The proposed Meitheal Mara project is not part of the Council's plan.
"Sailing in a Sweltering Tiny Box of a boat..." Cork Harbour Sailor in the Doldrums

1 month ago | afloat.ie | Tom MacSweeney

"Your world shrinks to this tiny, sweltering box." That is the description of being in the Doldrums by Irish competitor Jakub Ziemkiewicz on BIBI, outlining the psychological toll of the slowest part of the McIntyre 580 round-the-world race in the 19-foot plywood self-built yachts. He told race headquarters, as he is struggling slowly in little wind towards the Marquesas Islands stopover, "In the doldrums, your world shrinks to this tiny, sweltering box.