The Gathering Cruise rallies in Kinsale 24 July 2013

Over 50 boats will rally in Kinsale on Wednesday 24 July after a week of cruising the east and south coasts of Ireland. Over 15 boats and their crews enjoyed a barbecue evening on Saturday 20 July in Dunmore East and are now cruising at their leisure towards west Cork.

The Oysterhaven Centre is hosting a barbecue on Tuesday evening and the boats led by the Spirit of Oysterhaven will sail in company in to Kinsale Harbour midday Wednesday.

Many of the Irish boats joining the cruise have invited friends and family from overseas to sail with them. Derek Harris from Poolbeg Yacht Club in Dublin Port has invited his sister Joan and her husband Brian Martin from Australia to join the cruise. It is a big family occasion for the Harris family as Derek's other sister Betty Dunne who always sails with Derek will celebrate her 80th birthday onboard during the cruise. Also celebrating in Kinsale will be Adrian Rivett from Portsmouth who joined the cruise with his new wife for their honeymoon.

On arrival in Kinsale, the crew will enjoy a party with local artisan foods in Actons Hotel and Norman Kean, Editor of the Irish Cruising Club Sailing directions and Jarlath Cunnane, builder and skipper of Northabout who completed a Polar circumnavigation will be on hand to share their cruising tales with all the visiting sailors.

After Kinsale the cruisers will head to the Glandore Classic Boat regatta on Friday 26 July.

The crew of Celtic Mist from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group have been briefing the cruisers on recent sightings in the area and what to watch out for. Some species spotted in west Cork in July already include minke whales, humpback whales, risso dolphins, common dolphins and basking sharks.

The cruisers have a further week to cruise at leisure the Cork and Kerry coastlines before rallying again in Dingle for the farewell gathering reception.

For more information see www.thegatheringcruise.ie

Key Dates for the Gathering Cruise
17 July - Briefing by John Leahy, Cruising Association of Ireland and Welcome Reception in Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
18 July - Cruise departs at 7.00am
20 July - The Gathering Cruise rallies in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford
23 July - Barbecue evening at The Oysterhaven Centre, Co. Cork
24 July - Cruise in company to Kinsale, Co. Cork. All 50 boats gather for The Gathering Cruise Festival Night
26 July - Wooden Boat Festival, Glandore, Co. Cork
29 July - Barbecue, Valentia, Co. Kerry
01 Aug - Farewell Reception, Dingle, Co. Kerry