19/08/2026
Lar Casey Perpetual Cup (Glandore Regatta)
The Dragon's Story...
Four Dragons turned up on Sunday to contest the Lar Casey Cup under cloudy skies and in a respectable sailing breeze. While the fleet may have been small in number, there was certainly no shortage of entertainment.
A heavily port-end-biased start line tempted three of the four boats into port-tack starts. Unfortunately, Zu found herself in an unexpected and rather intimate encounter with Leah, resulting in an unscheduled restart.
Meanwhile, Moonshine and Leah executed textbook mid-line port-tack starts, neatly ducking Aphrodite and setting off on what they thought was a straightforward race.
They were wrong.
Race officer Diarmaid O'Sullivan unveiled what can only be described as an ambitious sightseeing tour of Glandore Harbour & vicinity. The course included not one, not two, but three visits to High Island, while also taking in local attractions such as Sheila, Goat, and a specially laid mark positioned somewhere between High and Adam Islands.
By the second lap of High Island, concerns began to grow that some competitors might need to start paying council tax on the island. Mercifully, the course was shortened, and the fleet was finally released toward the finish line, conveniently positioned directly in front of Casey's Bar.
Moonshine (Jamie Frame, Tim Forde and Harry Dinneen) just managed to hold off a determined and relentless Leah to take first place. Congratulations to Emma and Mark Barrett and Zaiba Mahmood for pushing them all the way to the line.
A very happy Moonshine crew summed up the moment perfectly while crossing the finish line:
"At last! After many years of being the bridesmaid, we're finally the bride!"
Aphrodite and Zu completed the fleet. What the Dragons lacked in numbers, they more than made up for in quality, competitiveness and an impressive ability to turn a yacht race into a harbour-wide endurance challenge.
Glandore Island Perpetual Cup Race
Almost before the crews had time to catch their breath, the Round Island Race got underway.
In a welcome change from the previous race, there were no start-line incidents, collisions or impromptu restarts.
Moonshine got away cleanly and led from the front. Zu briefly experimented with an alternative route around the course, but after discovering that the Racing Rules of Sailing remain stubbornly opposed to shortcuts, she unfortunately dropped out of contention.
Once again, the race turned into a battle at the front, with Aphrodite (John Wyles, Peter Hayes and Rua Mahmood) chasing Moonshine all the way around the course. Despite the pressure, Moonshine managed to keep her nose in front and claim a second victory and the Round Island Cup.
Thanks to Race committee and safety boat personnel, without which we'd still be sat ashore looking out to sea wondering what could of been!
Many thanks to Kathleen Hayes as always for recording these events for posterity.
IG link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcLjIT8DILI/?igsi=MWd6N3FlNWExYjI3YQ==
Back ashore, proceedings moved to their natural conclusion at Casey's Bar, where competitors gathered for the traditional combination of restorative medicine, silverware and speeches.
As always, a huge thank you to Patrick, Mary and Lar Casey for their continued sponsorship and support.
The Glandore Regatta remains one of the highlights of the sailing calendar. Long may it continue.
