The East Coast Garda Sailing Club is Based in the Marina in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The marina has excellent facilities and access for visitors.
In 1993 the Garda Sailing Club was founded by a number of enthusiastic Garda personnel involved in the sport. Martin Landers, then serving in Blarney circulated a fax country wide, seeking likeminded sailors to attend a meeting at the Garda Club Harrington Street. Deciding that a “Garda Yacht Club” would be too pretentious, members settled on the Garda Sailing Club. A constitution was adopted and the club formally founded on the 10th of October 1993.
The club purchased its first yacht, a 30-foot Jeanneau, “In A Rush”. “In A Rush” spent its time divided between Dublin and Cork, serving the needs of both main centres of club membership. As both centres grew, it became apparent that a separate yacht would be required for Cork. In 2000 it was agreed by all that the time had come for a more formal divergence. This was done mainly due to logistical problems in travelling long distances to meetings etc. Thus was borne the East and South Coast’s Garda Sailing Clubs, a format that remains today. Links between both Clubs remain very strong with many joint activities.
Cruising is a prominent feature of the Club’s activities and is servered well by our yacht ST Raphael which is a 36 Foot Bénéteau. Day sailing is a very popular activity with the club members and our yacth Blue Spirit a 26 Foot Bénéteau is used to Fulfil this.
Training is a large part of the Clubs ethos. Each year the Club provides free classes in sail training. Also racing -
The club has branched into racing and is very keen to develop its skill base in this area. Previously members from the East and South Clubs have completed the 1996 Round Ireland Race. In 1999, 2001 and 2003 members from the Club represented Ireland in the bi annual “Interpol Coppers Cup”. The event is a weeklong regatta held in Holland for European Law Enforcement agencies.
