ROYAL CORK YC APPOINTS FIRST FEMALE ADMIRAL IN 300 YEARS
Annamarie Fegan has become the first female Admiral of Ireland's oldest Yact Club, Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) in Crosshaven, Cork harbour.
Fegan, who was a coastal rower before she took up sailing later in life, had already set a first in the club several years ago when she became vice-admiral. The new executive will now also include three female committee members for the first time.
It was only in 1938 when the new category of “lady” member was introduced at RCYC, with Mrs J Bagwell of Queenstown, as Cobh was then known, being the first woman admitted. Author of the club’s history, Dr Alicia St Leger, has recorded how the “Water Club of the Harbour of Cork” was founded in 1720 after King Charles II was introduced to the developing Dutch sport of yachting - derived from the Dutch word jaghtschip, or "ship for chasing".
Fegan is a highly accomplished sailor, and her family crew, involving her husband Denis and daughters Mia and Molly Murphy, secured best-placed Irish entry in last year’s 50th Fastnet Race. But one of her main ambitions while in post at Royal Cork is to make “sailing less elitist and more inclusive”, with far more “pathways” towards participation.
She explains that part of the club’s efforts to break down the social and financial barriers include encouraging every sixth class primary school pupil in Crosshaven to complete a one-week sailing course, while there are “Try Sailing” courses for people of all ages.
Sailing is “great for mental health, getting out in the fresh air, and it opens up fantastic opportunities.”
Royal Cork has a big year ahead as Volvo Cork Week returns for it's 2024 edition and the Irish Sailing Youth National's are set to kick of on the 4th of April ...
Irish Sailing want to wish Annamarie all the best for her post in Royal Cork and fair winds for the years ahead...