Events 2026

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Events marked SSD are especially Suitable for Smaller Drascombes.

Members will find a link to a downloadable version of the application form in the Rally Toolkit in the Members section of the Forum.

If you would like some more information before deciding to attend any of the events all you need to do is to contact the organiser concerned - they will be glad to hear from you.

The committee encourages any Association member to organise additional rallies and will provide assistance if required. Please contact Jack O'Keeffe events@drascombe-association.org.uk

List of 2026 Events

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List updated 05/03/2026

Drascombe Association Events (organised by DA Members)
Date	Event/Venue	Organiser	Details
May 8th to 10th SSD	Shakedown Rally Ireland	Pat Jones	Early season shakedown rally based at Lough Ree YC Athlone
May 8th to 10th SSD	BRIXHAM	Dave Staniforth	Based at Brixham Yacht Club with sailing in the sublime waters of Tor Bay
May 15th to 17th SSD	LOCH TAY	Chris Mason	Preliminary notice. More information to be provided later. Return, after a long gap, to Loch Tay. The rally will be based at Loch Tay Highland Lodges which has a good sized jetty, car parking, good launching, and a bar and restaurant on site. Accommodation is also available on site. Space is limited so please let Chris know ASAP if you are planning to come.
May 23rd and 24th SSD	Craobh West Coast	Chris Mason	Our regular early summer Scottish West Coast event at our favourite location, Craobh Haven. Day sailing for the weekend and an opportunity to join up for cruising during the following week - or maybe longer for those who have time.
May 28th - June 1st	Cork Harbour Festival	Jack OKeeffe	Cruise some of the many destinations in and around Cork Harbour in the run up to the Irish Public Holiday in Cork - Support the Ocean to City Race and have lots of fun over the Harbour Festival weekend. Possible presence to support World Ocean Week Conference on June 3rd - contact Louis Heath
June 12th to 14th SSD	Ullswater '26	Alan Williams	Based at The Glennridding Sailing Centre. Please note, limited to 12 boats so early booking advisable. Friday evening meal at local pub, sailing itinerary subject to local weather conditions. BBQ Saturday night - musicians welcome.
June 19th to 21st SSD	Baltimore Fastnet Rally 26	Zita O'Reilly	Bi-annual Rally - Sailing amongst the islands of Roaringwater bay ... Always a great event afloat and ashore
June 22nd to 25th SSD	CONISTON	Andy Biggs	Information about the rally is to be found HERE
Mid July Opportunity grab Liveaboard	Galway Cruise	Pat Jones	One way cruise through the islands of south & west Galway. May incorporate St. MacDara’s Festival on Thursday 16th July.
Aug 7th to 9th SSD	Crinniu na mBad	John Holden	Attend the Galway Hooker Traditional boat festival. Launching, parking, and camping at Parkmore
Aug 13th to 16th	Heir Is Regatta & Crinniu Ballydehob	Ballydehob Festival	Contact Cormac Levis
Aug 14th to 16 th SSD	River Orwell Rally	Julian Merson	Join us for the weekend, based at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, with flexible cruising in and around the River Orwell, taking in in Pin Mill as well as Harwich Harbour and possibly the River Stour. Further details on the relevant Forum thread.
Aug 16th to 20th Liveaboard	East Coast Cruise	Julian Merson	The exact dates for this are flexible, and will depend on the preferences of participants. The dates listed assume a cruise happening after the River Orwell rally (see separate listing), but it could happen prior to that event if that suits more skippers. Conditions permitting, I hope to use the Orwell to cruise to as many of the other nearby rivers in and around Harwich Haven, including the Rivers Stour, Deben, Ore and Alde, as well as the Walton Backwaters. Please contact Julian with expressions of interest, or post on the relevant forum thread.
Aug 21st ro 23rd SSD	BLESSINGTON LAKE	Joe Crilly	Camping and sailing weekend - based at Blessington SC.
Aug 26th to 31st SSD	Loch Lomond '26	Alan Williams	Due to Balloch hosting the Swimming event, arrangements have been made for us to launch on Wednesday and recover Monday. Parking will be provided by Lomond Shores overspill car park which has cctv. On Wednesday 26th August, the group overnight amongst islands, heading north to Ardlui Marina following day. Ardlui Hotel has rooms or “glamping pods”. Friday 28th August, we will return to islands. On Saturday, rally will sail around various islands before heading to Inchmurrin on Sunday, for a meal and overnight at Hotel which operates a ferry and also chalets available to non sailors wishing to join and dine. For those arriving on Friday, arrangements can be made to launch/recover from Ross Priory
Sep 08th to 10th SSD	LOUGH KEY / ALLEN	Jimmy Dowds	Feeder cruise via Boyle River, Shannon River and Drumshanbo canal
Sep 11th to 13th SSD	LOUGH ALLEN	Miriam Sheerin	Final Irish Rally of the season ..... maybe
Sept or October SSD	Loch Lomond Islands	Chris Williams	Dates for this rally will only be confirmed if/when a suitable high pressure weather window is forecast. The aim would be to explore the beautiful islands of the southern part of Loch Lomond, as well as refreshment stops on shore, with planned launch and recovery from Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway at Balloch which has parking for cars and trailers. Hoping for blue skies, light winds and misty mornings, as the Valentine crew were lucky enough to enjoy in 2025 See here .

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Dutch Drascombe Rallies
Date	Event/Venue	Organiser	Details

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Non-Drascombe Association Events - names in brackets are Drascombe contacts, not organisers.
Date	Event/Venue	Contact	Details
May 21st to 28th SSD	BUNAW KENMARE BAY	DCA	Contact Chris Van Schoor
May 29th SSD	DUBLIN BAY	OGA	Contact Michael Weed
May 31st SSD	Round Bere Is Race	DCA	Contact Thom Kleiss
June 19th to 21st SSD	Crosshaven Trad Sail	Crosshaven Community	Contact Jack OKeeffe.
June 26th to 28th SSD	PORTAFERRY Strangford Lough	OGA	Contact - Michael Weed
Aug 28th to 30th SSD	Irelands Eye Circumnavigation - Howth	OGA	Contact Michael Weed

There is a default £5 registration fee for each event, payable to the organiser. Rallies are only open to members of the Association - details of how to join the Association are here.

On longer cruises it is best to plan as if you were going to make the trip on your own. Have adequate safety gear, communications, spare parts and tools to suit the itinerary. The other boats are there for company and reassurance, not to be relied upon for basic needs.

Please assist by timely informing the organiser of your intentions regarding participation, before and during the event.

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