Glandore Classics 2013

THE HENLEY WHALERS - At The Glandore Classics, Ireland, 2013

Molly in the Parade of Sail
(Courtesy of GHYC)
Click to enlarge

Saturday 20th - Friday 26th July 2013 - Glandore Classics Regatta, Ireland

A great, week-long, harbour and coastal regatta in craggy scenery. Plus Irish hospitality!
Based in South-West Ireland, The Classics Regatta is held in July of alternate (odd) years.
The Next Glandore Classic Regatta = Saturday 18th to Friday 24th July 2015.

The small village of Glandore lies some 50 miles southwest of Cork, and 150 miles (say three and a half hours) by road from Rosslare.

The Marine Hotel overlooks the tiny, semi-drying inner harbour which is sheltered by a stone wall. The slipway is suitable only for small hand-launched dinghies.
Up the street, on The Terrace, and commanding a broader view across the entire harbour, are The Glandore Inn and Hayes Bar.

The major part of Glandore Harbour extends some 3 miles from mouth to bridge and averages 1 mile across. The mouth is "guarded" by a rocky island, "Adam" and a smaller island, "Eve". Mid-stream rocks present a real hazard, particularly when submerged at high tide. (Charts here)

Across Glandore harbour lies the small town of Unionhall with shops, more bars, restaurants, the fishing harbour and a good slipway.

Corrections and contributions welcomed

Glandore Outer Harbour (Bay) - Panorama from The Terrace Click for full size (be patient) then zoom right in - Best on "Full Screen" (MS. key F11)			Glandore village
Saturday 20th July – The overnight ferry crossed a dead flat Irish Sea and arrived at Rosslare at 06:15. Henley Whalers had feasted on a generous on-board dinner and grabbed a few hours' sleep. At about 10:30, crossing Glandore Bridge to Unionhall where Molly would be launched, an ominous pall of thick black smoke was seen rising from Unionhall slipway. Was it a boat on fire? . . . . About an hour later, the pyro-excitement over, launching was easy and was followed by a pleasant sail across the harbour to Glandore village to register and find Molly’s berth. Around 60 boats were entered for the racing events. In the afternoon, Molly, in the "Day Boats and Miscellaneous" class, enjoyed racing in the Harbour amongst Dragons and Squibs. Saturday's results did not count towards the Classic series. In the evening we were treated to a rescue display with flares and smoke. Statistics Saturday - (No data)			Glandore Inner Harbour
Fire on the slipway?	Hmm - Pretty hot boat!	Over-cooked Boat	Fast Sailors? - Ah! - See below
Using up old flares?	Intentional smoke	Door to nowhere?	Next Generation Sailors
Sunday 21st July - Only one Harbour race today. Molly crew had lots of fun but finished in a poor position. The main event was the Parade of Sail, led by the Regatta’s VIP boat “Jolie Brise”. This was a great chance to review the entire fleet and was rated a spectacular success by the organisers. Statistics Sunday - (No data)
Parade of sail	Parade of sail	Parade of sail	Parade of sail
Parade of sail	Parade of sail	Parade of Sail	Parade of Sail
In late afternoon, Molly crew retired “home” to refresh, then gathered in Unionhall village for dinner and festivities. The Unionhall festival, about to be officially opened by Jeremy Irons, was in full swing. With Henley as common ground (and identified by Henley Whalers’ iconic crew kit) Jeremy joined the Whalers for a while to reminisce about Henley. After dusk, The Whalers walked past the fishing harbour to watch the Glandore fireworks display across the bay. A chance encounter led to an invitation to a splendid view from the terrace garden of a well placed house.		Unionhall Festival	Here comes the Band
Official opening	Reminiscing about Henley?	Glandore from Unionhall	Regatta Fireworks
Monday 22nd July - Drizzle at dawn. Dry but overcast later. This was the first official day of racing for the Classic Series. Class 1,2 & 3 boats sailed out into the bay with a shortened course that then allowed the entrants to progress to Baltimore. Harbour racing continued for other classes. Molly Crew thought they’d done well in two races, so were mystified at not getting a mention in the results. Never mind; ‘twas fun. Statistics Monday (+ Tuesday ) = 27.8Nm. (Tracks here)
Tuesday 23rd July - Woke to rain. After breakfast it rained, then it rained. In the morning, Claus kindly drove the "Mollys" to Baltimore where the sun shone briefly whilst they took a walk on a headland. Rain returned during the drive back to Glandore. Afternoon – More harbour racing – raining at the start, dry toward the end. Molly won the 1st & 2nd races. The sun emerged later. Boats that had stayed in Baltimore overnight sailed to the Fastnet, and then returned to Glandore. "Mollys" bought fresh fish in Unionhall to BBQ at “home”. Aimed to return to Glandore for the prize-giving later. Statistics Tuesday (+Monday) = 27.8Nm. (Tracks here) Click any picture to enlarge			Baltimore
Baltimore	Baltimore	Baltimore	Baltimore
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Wednesday 24th July - Guess what? Rain at breakfast time. Eventually stopped but remained grey and windy. Too windy for the sail to Castletownshend – This was postponed, so more harbour racing today. "Mollys" enjoyed 2 good races despite some heavy (warm) rain. Alternate rain and sun became the pattern for the day. Was this one of the evenings we dined at the Leap Inn? Statistics Wednesday - 7.5Nm. (Tracks here)
Thursday 25th July - Sunny at dawn and almost all day - Just one nearly imperceptible brief shower. Lovely sail west along the rocky coast to Castletownshend for lunch. Glorious weather and conditions both ways. (GHYC still looking for photos anyone took on this day) Dinner at “home”. Statistics Thursday - 17.2Nm. (Tracks here)
	Castletownshend	Castletownshend	Returning from Castletownshend
Its a hard life!	"The Dangers"	"The Dangers"	"The Dangers"
Friday 26th July - Last day of the Regatta - Lovely, sunny sailing in the harbour. "Mollys" think they’ve won an overall prize – Find out tonight at the prize-giving. Sailed Molly to Unionhall slipway for recovery to trailer. The Grand Prize-giving took place on the terrace at “The Marine”. Statistics Friday - 15.8Nm. (Tracks below right )		Race 26/7 + Local young helm	Result - Day Boats & Misc. After 8 races. 1 "Colleen Deas" 2 "Colleed Bawn" 3 "Molly" 4 "Papa 2" (Source)
Chart. Glandore - Main	Glandore + Castletownshend	Molly's tracks 22, 23 & 24 Jul 25 & 26 Jul Hazards, safe routes, POIs.	Trophies! ( Courtesy of GHYC)
Chart. SW of Glandore	Chart. Glandore + SE	Dromberg Stone circle	Dromberg Stone circle
Panorama around the cottage Click for full size (be patient) then zoom right in - Best on "Full Screen" (MS. key F11)			Unionhall (Glandore far left)
Saturday 27th July - Morning - Found time to visit the ancient Drombeg stone circle, one of the most visited megalithic sites in Ireland, then returned to Unionhall for a final look around before collecting Molly. At 13:15 left Unionhall, Molly in tow, heading for Rosslare/Fishguard ferry by way of meeting up with another event, and friends. Sunday 28th - Land at Fishguard at 00:15. Home about 6:30.			Unionhall
See also; Daily Diary , GHYC website.		You got any contributions? Please sen d them.

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