BYC to Host Prestigious 50th Anniversary
ILCA Ireland National Championships this August
Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor, Co Down
Following the spectacular success of the 2024 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships, Ballyholme Yacht Club is proud to host the ILCA Ireland National Championships this August as the championship celebrates its 50th anniversary.
This landmark event will welcome up to 150 competitors of all ages from across Ireland, racing in ILCA 4, 6, and 7 classes over three thrilling days. Eight races are scheduled, and the sailing conditions are expected to be top-tier in the excellent sailing waters off Ballyholme Yacht Club at the mouth of Belfast Lough. Organisers also expect entries from the UK mainland and further afield for this flagship event on the ILCA sailing calendar.
Organisers are delighted to announce that RBC Brewin Dolphin, Rea Estates and SailCoach will be major sponsors for the event. SailCoach, a leading ILCA coaching organisation, will announce the winners of its prestigious SailCoach Sailor Development Awards at the championship. Other event sponsors include Rooster and CH Marine.
Organisers
Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this landmark event, please contact admin@ballyholme.com who will be pleased to send a Sponsorship Pack.
Everything to compete for
As befits a 50th anniversary event, there is a generous spread of awards and rewards up for grabs!
Successful competitors will be rewarded with locally designed trophies and medals for Gold, Silver & Bronze places for each class as well as additional levels of recognition for lady, master and youth sailors.
Qualifiers: Irish ILCA 6 2025 Youth Sailing World Championship
This year’s Irish Nationals has also been selected as a qualifying event for Irish ILCA 6 sailors aged under 19 aiming to compete at the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championship in Vilamoura, Portugal (12–20 December).
Local favourites include BYC’s own Bobby Driscoll, current Irish Youth ILCA 6 Champion, and Daniel Palmer, who was runner-up to Bobby. We can expect a fiercely competitive event amongst Ireland’s youth sailors!
Spotlight on Youth: SailCoach Sailor Development Awards
An exciting highlight of the Championship will be the presentation of the 'SailCoach Sailor Development Awards' which will be awarded to two promising young Transition Year sailors for 2025/26 by Trevor Millar of SailCoach.
With the award, the two young sailors will have the opportunity to ramp up their sailing skills with a full month’s coaching, ILCA rental, and strength and conditioning sessions at the SailCoach Malta or Valletta training bases. The awards, worth €2,500 each, also include airport transfers and accommodation.
This is a fantastic opportunity for those selected as SailCoach is one the the world’s first and leading coaching and support organisation for sailors of all backgrounds. Founded in 1995 by BYC’s Trevor Millar, SailCoach has nurtured and developed hundreds of talented sailors including athletes who have gone on to win medals at four Olympic Games.
Competitor Information
Register early for discounted rates!
Registration is now open. Please visit the official ILCA Ireland Event page for registration and NoR.
The event is open to any sailor who is currently registered with their national ILCA association.
- Entry fees - €165
- Early-bird discount (before 9th August inclusive) - €110
Deadline: Boats should enter before 23:59 on Sunday 10th August 2025.
Late online entries will be possible until 23:59 on Tuesday 12th August 2025. Late entries will also be accepted in person at the Ballyholme Yacht Club Registration between 17:00 and 19:00 on Thursday 14th August 2025 or at the discretion of the OA.
We can’t wait to welcome sailors, families, and visitors to BYC and beautiful Bangor, Co. Down for what promises to be a spectacular celebration of Irish sailing.
Onshore logistics
For logistical information – site map, unpacking / packing and visitor boats area, parking, rib parking and launching, F&B, chandlery, etc – please visit our dedicated Competitor Information Page.
50 years of ILCA racing in Ireland
The ILCA dinghy, originally known as a Laser, was launched on the global sailing scene in 1970 and quickly gained popularity around the world. The first Irish Nationals were held in 1975 in Kinsale and in the same year, Trevor Millar, founder of our event sponsor SailCoach, introduced the first Laser into Ballyholme Yacht Club.The single-handed one-design class, built with an emphasis on simplicity and performance, gained a foothold at the club and today, 50 years later, the club still boasts a large fleet of ILCA dinghies, competing year round.
The early start with this Olympic class dinghy has given BYC a leg up when it comes to Olympians and ILCA champions. Of course we hope to see many more champions in the next 50 years.
Sustainability at BYC
As sailors and water sports enthusiasts, Ballyholme Yacht Club is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment. We have written our Sustainably Policy along the guidelines of Sailors for the Sea and RYA’s The Green Blue programme and we are proud to say we have achieved platinum level Clean Regattas Certification for previous Regattas and also hold Final Straw Certification.
- Pickie Fun Park (suitable for young children)
- North Down Museum
- Eddie Irvine Sports
- Airtastic Inflata and Ninja Indoor Play Area
- Stunning Coastal Walks along Belfast Lough and towards Groomsport
- Open House Festival
- The Ark Open Farm
- Boat trips
- Kayaking adventures
- Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit
- Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary
- Mount Stewart Estate and Gardens
- Ulster Folk Museum
- Ulster Transport Museum
- Scrabo Tower
- Castle Espie Wetland Centre
- Grey Abbey
- Golfing
- Titanic Experience Belfast
- Giants’ Causeway and the Causeway Coastal Route
- Game of Thrones Studio Tour
- Hillsborough Castle, a Royal Palace
- St Patrick’s Centre, Downpatrick
- The Mourne Mountains
- Fermanagh Lakelands
- The Historic Walled City of Derry Londonderry
Details about activities and experiences to enjoy in Bangor and the wider Ards and North Down area can be found on the official Ards and North Down visitor website – Visit Ards and North Down. In addition, the Visitor Information Centre Visitor holds a range of information leaflets and the Visitor Centre team are more than happy to advise visitors and participants on things to do in the area in their spare time. The Visitor Information Centre is located close to Bangor Marina at Tower House (recognisable by its tower), on Quay Street facing the marina.
For information about activities and experiences in Northern Ireland, please visit Discover Northern Ireland.
Accommodation
There is a wide variety of accommodation options available for visitors:
- Hotels, guesthouses and Bed & Breakfasts: search for availability on the Visit Ards & North Down website
- Lorne Estate and Ganaway Activity Centre also offer camping, glamping and group accommodation.