welcome to BYC
A Hub of Sailing Excellence.
Ballyholme Yacht Club (BYC) is a vibrant, volunteer-driven sailing and watersports community located on the sheltered shores of Ballyholme Bay, at the entrance to Belfast Lough in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
For over a century, we’ve been a cornerstone of sailing in Ireland—welcoming everyone from Olympic athletes and world champions to cadets taking their very first tacks. We’re proud to be an RYA-recognised training centre, offering courses and coaching for all ages and abilities in sailing, powerboating, and race management.
Founded in 1900 as Ballyholme Sailing Club and re-established as Ballyholme Yacht Club in 1920, our club has grown alongside the town of Bangor. From modest beginnings in a wooden clubhouse to hosting world-class events and Olympic hopefuls, we’ve stayed true to our mission: to make sailing accessible, competitive, and enjoyable for all.
years of sailing at Ballyholme
Training
Ballyholme Yacht Club is an RYA recognised training centre providing premier watersports training in Northern Ireland
Watersports
We are a yacht club but we don't stop there. We offer sea swimming, windsurfing, paddleboarding, on shore courses and a large number of social events
Cadets
We are incredibly proud of our cadet community who help the club feel alive. Whether it's junior icebreakers, dolphins and sharks or cadet social events there are plenty of opportunities for young ones
Events
For years Ballyholme Yacht Club has been delighted to host many of the largest events in Europe. From the EURILCA championships, Youth Championships and other events we are committed in keeping BYC a hub for competitive watersports
What's Happening at BYC?
