TheRoyal Cork Yacht Clubis ayacht clublocated inCrosshaven,County Cork,Ireland. Founded in 1720, it is a claimant to the title of the world's oldest yacht club, although this is challenged by theNeva Yacht Clubin Russia.[1]
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| Short name | RCYC |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1720 |
| Location | Crosshaven,County Cork,Ireland |
| Website | royalcork |
Formation
editThe predecessor[2]of the present-day Royal Cork Yacht Club was the "Water Club of the Harbour of Cork". It was established in 1720 byWilliam O'Brien, 4th Earl of Inchiquin,a great-grandson of the1st Earl of Inchiquin,who was a courtier ofKing Charles II.As a result, the Royal Cork Yacht Club is widely held to be the oldest yacht club in the world.[3]
Names and locations
editOn returning toEnglandfrom exile, King Charles II developed an interest in sailing on theThames,and his courtiers (including the 1st Earl of Inchiquin) subsequently followed his example. Upon the Earl's return toCork,recreational sailing commenced. Some years later, the 1st Earl of Inchiquin's great-grandson, 26-year-old William O'Brien, and five of his friends formalised their activities and in so doing establishedThe Water Club of the Harbour of Corkin 1720.[4]This body became inactive in 1765 and was re-established in 1802.
By 1806, it was known as theCork Harbour Water Club.During the 1820s, it changed its name to theCork Harbour Yacht Club.Later in that decade, it dropped the word "Harbour" and became theCork Yacht Club.In 1831, the club received the privilege of using the "Royal" prefix fromKing William IVand became theRoyal Cork Yacht Club.In 1966, it merged with the Royal Munster Yacht Club,[2]and the combined entity was known as "The Royal Cork Yacht Club, incorporating the Royal Munster Yacht Club".[4]
The club was originally located onHaulbowline IslandinCork Harbour.During the early nineteenth century, it transferred to Cove, subsequently named Queenstown, nowCobh.It is currently located in Crosshaven, nearCork City.[4]
By the mid 19th century, membership was keenly sought after due to the club's popularity, and club records show that many candidates were disappointed at not getting membership.[4]One who was admitted was PrinceFerdinand Maximilian of Austria,later to be Emperor of Mexico. Prince Ferdinand was the founder of the Imperial Austrian Navy and a brother ofEmperor Franz Joseph.The Prince of Wales (laterKing Edward VII) attended several RCYC regattas, sailing his famous yachtBritannia.[5]
In 1872, the Munster Model Yacht Club was founded as a Corinthian Yacht Club to provide for amateur racing rather than racing for wagers on yachts of wealthy owners with paid hands. It eventually received a royal charter and became known as the Royal Munster Yacht Club. It settled in the clubhouse of the Cork Harbour Motor Yacht Club at Crosshaven during the 1930s. The Royal Munster Yacht Club merged with the Royal Cork Yacht Club in 1966.[4]
Regattas
editCork Week is hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club and is held every two years, usually in late June or early July.
It was initially Ireland's largest sailing regatta, but has been superseded in popularity, in recent years, by the Dun Laoghaire biennial regatta, as determined by large entries in multiple classes and competitors[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^club-history at royalcorkAccessed 26 February 2017
- ^abHistory at westernyachtclubArchived2008-10-19 at theWayback MachineAccessed 26 February 2017
- ^"Royal Cork Yacht Club".International Council of Yacht Clubs.20 September 2016.Retrieved6 May2018.
- ^abcde"Club History".Royal Cork Yacht Club.Retrieved30 January2019.
- ^Britannia'sburgee was presented to theRoyal St. George Yacht Clubin Dunlaoghaire.
- ^"The Regatta that prides itself in delivering quality racing along with a wonderful festive atmosphere across the Dun Laoghaire Waterfront."