This weekend was something truly special - both in Dublin Bay and on the water around the country.
This is the fourth year of Sail Darkness into Light in aid of Pieta, a concept I started in 2022 and thanks to the backing and support of Irish Sailing, it’s getting bigger and better every year. In Dublin Bay in 2022 there were about 35+ boats on the water at dawn, last Saturday I believe the count was at 70+ between sailboats, ribs, rowers and the RNLI! It was spectacular.
Huge thanks to RIYC members for your support, with a special shout out to our Commodore, Sarah Breen and Mark McGibney. However, this is not just about Irish Sailing or our club - this has become a true community effort, with leaders from RSGYC, NYC, INSS, DBSC and many more clubs nationwide coming together.
Together, we did something extraordinary for Pieta. Thank you to everyone who played a part - on the water, onshore, behind the scenes.
Pieta call it the most important sunrise not just because of last weekend, but because of what it represents for the other 364 sunrises and their efforts every day, every week.
Keep sharing the various fundraising links over the coming days!
https://www.darknessintolight.ie/fundraisers/irishsailingriyc
How lucky are we as sailors to do what we love and to do it for something that matters so deeply. Here’s to year five in 2026. Watch this space!
Valda Boardman, RIYC Member
