Celebrating Our HYC Achievers 2025

05 January 2026
Celebrating Our HYC Achievers 2025
 
 
Howth Yacht Club had plenty to celebrate as it honoured its achievers at a special presentation event on Saturday, 5th January 2026.  These awards are kindly supported by Celtic Candles.
 
Commodore Kevin Monks presented the trophies on the night, with Rear Commodore Gary Cullen acting as MC. A valued tradition of the Achievers Awards is that every nominee present receives a gift in recognition of their achievement and nomination.
 
 
Sailing Instructor of the Year
 
The awards commenced with Sailing Instructor of the Year, recognising outstanding service to HYC members throughout the year. The 2025 award was presented to Ciara McMahon, described as a calm, reliable instructor who led by example. Ciara consistently raised the standard of instructing and was widely regarded as a “no-drama” presence within the team. She nurtured sailors’ enthusiasm for the sport and was particularly skilled at demonstrating rudderless sailing. Ciara is also a current member of the HYC K25 squad.
 
 
GM Trophy – Junior Sailor of the Year
 
The GM Trophy is awarded to a junior sailor who best represents and enhances the spirit of junior sailing at HYC. With many excellent nominations each year, the 2025 winner was Christine Mahoney. Christine worked tirelessly throughout the season, travelling independently to Dun Laoghaire for IODAI coaching and travelling nationwide whenever possible to gain more sailing experience. She showed exceptional determination while also encouraging and supporting her peers. Christine was a key driving force behind the revival of Thursday Night Racing and regularly assisted younger sailors with rigging and launching.
 
Seaward Bell Trophy
 
The Seaward Bell Trophy, donated by the Darmody family, is awarded to a junior sailor who has excelled in open events at home or abroad. This year saw a close contest between Kate Spain (Optimist) and Sienna Wright (ILCA 6).
 
The 2025 trophy was awarded to Sienna Wright, following an outstanding year. Sienna won silver at the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal, claimed the Irish ILCA 6 National Championship title, and was Top Female and Top Youth at that event. She became only the third female sailor ever to win the Irish ILCA 6 Nationals outright and was also nominated as an Irish Sailing Champion.
 
Active on the world sailing stage, Sienna has ambitions for a future Olympic campaign. Demonstrating her versatility, she also competed with her father and brother at the NYYC Invitational in Newport last September. Sienna's award was collected on her behalf.
 
 
 
Volunteer of the Year
 
HYC has over 150 regular volunteers, with General Committee and Sailing Committee members excluded from this category due to the extensive service they provide year-round.
 
The 2025 Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Harry Gallagher, a highly respected and well-known Race Officer. Harry has played a major role in race management at HYC for many years, particularly through his organisation of the Autumn League and Dinghy Frostbites rotas, alongside his regular RO duties. He shows no signs of slowing down and continues to be a valued volunteer within the club.
 
 
New Member of the Year
 
Each year, HYC recognises a new member who fully embraces the spirit and opportunities the club offers. The 2025 award went to Rebecca McQuarrie, who has become actively involved across both racing and cruising communities.
 
Rebecca benefited from the club’s improved pathway to sailing, supported by the HYC Sailing Development Team and Cruising Group. She now competes regularly in club racing and has become a part-owner of Jokers Wild, gaining hands-on experience in boat operation, maintenance, and water safety. Rebecca gives her time generously, always with enthusiasm, humour, and a smile—truly embodying the essence of HYC.
 
 
Silver Fox Trophy
 
Donated by the Kelly family, the Silver Fox Trophy recognises excellence in racing, cruising, or organising. The category included many standout sailors and national champions, such as Stephen Mullaney (Sigma 33), Ryan Cairns (IDRA), and John Beckett & Andy George (Splashdance).
 
The 2025 winners were Ross and Aoife McDonald, 1720 National Champions, winners of the Royal Yacht Squadron Invitational in Cowes, and third place finishers at the 1720 European Championships.
 
 
Cliona Murphy Memorial Trophy
 
Awarded annually to an adult member who represents and enhances the spirit of HYC sailing, the Cliona Murphy Memorial Trophy honours Cliona Murphy, who sailed extensively at HYC and was part of the famed Tropicana Round Ireland all-ladies team.
 
The 2025 recipient was Neil Murphy, whose decades of service include roles as Past Commodore, Past President of Irish Sailing, Past Sailing Committee Chair, and long-standing General Committee member. Neil continues to support the club through his involvement with Race Officer, Results, and Protest Committees.
 
International Trophy
 
Donated by the late Pat and Olivia Murphy, the International Trophy recognises sailors who excel on the world stage. For the third consecutive year, the award went to Eve McMahon. Although attending a training camp, Eve shared a video message with members.
 
In 2025, Eve won bronze at the ILCA 6 World Championships in China, achieving World No.1 ranking. Additional highlights included silver at the Sailing Grand Slam Final in the Netherlands, gold at Olympic Sailing Week in Gran Canaria, and the Rising Star Award at the 2025 Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards.
 
Boat of the Year
 
The final award of the evening was HYC Boat of the Year. With an exceptionally high standard of sailing across the club, over a dozen boats were worthy contenders. Finalists included Outrageous, Checkmate XX, Mojo, Big Picture, and the HYC NYYC Invitational Squad.
 
Following a vote by over 400 members, John and Susi Murphy’s Outrageous was named Boat of the Year for the third year in a row. Their 2025 successes included class wins in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race, Sovereign’s Cup, and Volvo Dun Laoghaire Week, with achievements regularly documented by Afloat Magazine.
 
Report by Jill Sommerville
Photo Gallery credit Karolina Kernan