A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to support Commodores Day recently. Your presence, enthusiasm, and good spirit helped make a truly special occasion.
As the first Lady Commodore of Foynes Yacht Club since its founding in 1962- and one of only a few in the country – it is both a privilege and an honour to hold this position. Your support means the world to me.
“Growing up in Foynes, the Yacht Club has always been close to my heart. My late father, Pat Connolly, was a dedicated member, serving as Committee Member, Treasurer, and later Trustee, until his passing. My brother Jimmy also followed in his footsteps. In those early years, my sister and I were often called upon for the post-social clean-up – a job we took on with pride. That’s when my love for the club began: rooted in its community and relaxed joy of sailing. My mother was also involved with the ladies on the social side of things.
On the McCormack side, my husband James inherited a love for sailing from an early age. He got his first Mermaid, 22 Joy, at just 14 years old with his brothers Joe and Vincent. He learned to sail on cruisers alongside the late Dick Nash of Newcastle West and PJ and Joe Scanlon of Shanagolden. James’s roots in Foynes run deep too, with strong ties through his uncles Jack, Dan, and Paddy O’Connell who lived in Foynes for most of their lives, with Jack living just above the Yacht Club in Cooleen Nook.
I’m proud to say that all of our children sail. The triplets – Mark, Noel, and Darragh – have won many titles including the Mermaid Nationals, and placed 2nd in the J24 Nationals. My daughter Mary helmed the FYC U25 J24 yacht for several seasons with impressive results. She also sails her own Mermaid. She won the Irish Sailing’s Senior Instructor of the Year 2024 earlier this year. Our other sons, Jamie and Cian, regularly crew with James.”
A special thank you goes to everyone who contributed to Commodores Day – from morning set-up to the evening clean-up. Your help made the day a success. I’m especially greatful to Tim and Ann Shanahan for looking after our wee pirates during their morning scavenger hunt and for continuing to feed the masses well into the afternoon!
It was a joy to see our Sailing Academy lead the morning activities and to witness the children having such fun. The weather was kind to us and certainly added to the occasion.
Congratulations to the winners of the Race Around Foynes Island:
1st: Darragh McCormack and crew on Stouche, 2nd: Liam Madden and crew on Elantic, and 3rd Pat Keating and crew on Excalibur.
We were honoured to have Donagh O’Brien, great-great-grandnephew of the late Conor O’Brien, present the O’Brien Cup to the winners – what a memorable and fitting moment.
Thank you to Canon Duhig who blessed the boats, to Bridie Murphy and Mairead Keogh for the photos, and to Yvonne McCarthy for the music.
Sunshine, good food, and great company – what more could we ask for.
Thank you again for your support as I start my Commodoreship. If you have any questions or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you.
Here’s to a fantastic sailing season ahead!
Warm wishes
Patricia McCormack / Commodore
