| Clubname: | Kinsale Yacht Club |
| Ensign: | Ensign of Kinsale Yacht Club.svg |
| Burgee: | Burgee of Kinsale Yacht Club.svg |
| Short Name: | KYC |
| Founded: | 1953 |
| Location: | Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland |
| Website: | https://www.kyc.ie/ |
The Kinsale Yacht Club was founded in 1953. It is located in Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland. It is 30 km by road from Cork, Ireland's second city.
The club was initially located in Scilly in a pair of cottages. The club races started off the pier and rarely left the harbour. In the 1960s, a new premises at the end of the pier road was purchased and developed over time into the building seen today.[1]
By the time the club had moved to its current location, the fleet included Albacores, Mirrors, Flying Fifteens, Dragons, Fireballs and Enterprises. The club began to develop junior sailing instruction.
In the 1990s, the junior fleet extended to Optimists, Lasers and 420s. The senior fleet still includes; Dragons and Squibs. There are also three Cruiser Classes and a white sail fleet.[2]
Notable sailors from the club include John Twomey, 11-time Paralympian including 3 medals won in athletic disciplines.[3] Paul McCarthy is another Paralympian from the club.[4] Ron Holland, international yacht designer was also a member at the club.[5]
The yacht club's marina is a 200 berth marina which provides "secure and safe berthing within the virtually landlocked harbour" on the estuary of the River Bandon. The marina can cater for "superyachts" of various sizes up to 65 meters in length and is 8 Meters deep at LWS.[6]
The marina holds a Fáilte Ireland Quality Assured Standard, 5-Gold Anchor award and An Taisce Blue Flag.[6]
The club started hosting Regional and National Championships from the 1970s. The club now hosts many regional, national, and international sailing events.
Kinsale regatta festival takes place every year over the August Bank holiday weekend. It includes both traditional sailing competitions as well as a variety of water sports. These all take place in and around Kinsale harbour. There are also land activities from sports to the emigrants return.[15]