Michael Chester & Gareth Craig were both on duty for the final Prizegiving, capturing all the action – All these photographs are available free of charge for any participants to download and keep.
(non commercial use only)

The post VDLR Prizegiving Gallery first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.

Michael Chester will be ashore and afloat throughout the weekend, capturing all the action – All these photographs are available free of charge for any participants to download and keep.
(non commercial use only)

The post VDLR Day 4 Gallery first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.

Michael Chester will be ashore and afloat throughout the weekend, capturing all the action – All these photographs are available free of charge for any participants to download and keep.
(non commercial use only)

The post VDLR Day 3 Gallery first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.

Michael Chester will be ashore and afloat throughout the weekend, capturing all the action – All these photographs are available free of charge for any participants to download and keep.
(non commercial use only)

The post VDLR Day 2 Gallery first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.

Friday, 11^th July. Day Two of the 10th Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta set sail under glorious sunshine with almost 350 boats racing across five separate courses on Dublin Bay. With bright blue skies, a steady breeze and warm temperatures, it was a stunning spectacle for sailors and spectators alike.

Following yesterday’s ceremonial launch and the inaugural Bay Race, today marked the full-scale start of racing across all 36 classes. Dublin Bay was alive with colour and competition, as one of Ireland’s largest and most inclusive sporting events got fully underway. The weekend promises even more excitement, with Saturday and Sunday expected to be fantastic days on the water and ashore for both for the sailing community and the thousands enjoying Coastival, Dun Laoghaire’s summer festival of music, family fun and celebration.

Spectators can take in the action from vantage points along the coast, with plenty to do around Dún Laoghaire throughout the weekend.

Yesterday’s Bay Race, a spectacular mass-start, fixed-mark event, launched proceedings in dramatic fashion. The Irish Defence Forces 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment fired four ceremonial rounds from the East Pier Battery, the first such salutes since 2021, echoing the harbour’s proud maritime and military heritage.

Now celebrating its 10th edition, the Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta has grown into a major international event, welcoming 1,600 sailors from 56 yacht clubs around the world. This year’s Regatta features two major innovations:

• The inaugural Melges 15 European Championships, with 40 boats – the class’s largest-ever gathering in Europe – and teams ranging in age from 12 to 75 years, including seven crews from the United States.
• A new Introductory Class to encourage and support newer sailors taking to the racecourse for the first time.

The Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta is co-hosted by the town’s four waterfront yacht clubs – the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, and Royal St. George Yacht Club – with the support of 280 volunteers, international race officials, and a five-nation jury team.

VDLR Event Director Paddy Boyd said:

“The firing of the historic guns and yesterday’s Bay Race got us off to an unforgettable start. With five race courses now active and ideal conditions, the 10th edition is shaping up to be something truly special – on and off the water.”

On shore, Coastival, hosted by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, continues throughout the weekend with live performances, balloon and kite displays, and family entertainment, including the ever-popular Emergency Services Day.

An Cathaoirleach, Jim O’Leary, added:

“Coastival is in full swing now, with a mix of exciting events for everyone to enjoy this summer in Dún Laoghaire. We look forward to welcoming everyone to celebrate the vibrant community spirit of the town.”

As part of the regatta, Volvo is activating its Mobile Studio on the East Pier, offering visitors an engaging, family-friendly experience that highlights the brand’s commitment to safety and sustainability. Volvo representatives will be on site throughout the weekend to provide a premium customer experience, showcase new models and offer test drive sign-ups and quote requests via the interactive display.

The post Blue Skies & Full Sails for Day Two of VDLR first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.

Michael Chester will be ashore and afloat throughout the weekend, capturing all the action – All these photographs are available free of charge for any participants to download and keep.
(non commercial use only)

The post VDLR Day 1 Gallery first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.

Virgin Media Ireland AM weatherman Deric Hartigan delivered the latest weather news and interviewed VDLR Chairman Don O’Dowd from a RIB in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, chatting about the regatta’s first-ever Bay Race, which looks set to be held in some plentiful sunshine.

The post VDLR Goes Live on Ireland’s TV Breakfast Show first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.

The post Amendments to the SIs 2025 – No 1 first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.

Singer Neil Young’s superyacht may have sailed away, but Dun Laoghaire is about to rock again this Thursday as European champions are among 100-plus cruiser racers competing for IRC honours as part of Ireland’s biggest sailing event, Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2025.

The post Previewing the IRC Cruiser Racer Favourites on Dublin Bay first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.

A host of excited foreign accents can already be heard on the waterfront as crews fly in for the Inaugural Melges 15 Europeans Championships, which will be held on the Hyland Shipping course at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta.

The post American Melges 15 Crews Expected to Set Standard at Europeans Championships on Dublin Bay first appeared on Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.