Howth Yacht Club and Harry Gallagher Honoured at Fingal Sports Awards

27 January 2026
Howth Yacht Club and Harry Gallagher Honoured at Fingal Sports Awards
 
Howth Yacht Club has been named Sports Inclusion Club of the Year at the Fingal Sports Awards, held on Monday 26 January, and hosted by Fingal County Council.  This award recognises clubs that create accessible, inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, including those with disabilities.
 
The award celebrates HYC’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility, alongside its active collaboration with disability inclusion programmes and cross-sector partners. Through this work, the Club continues to create meaningful opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to benefit from regular involvement in sailing and outdoor water-based recreation.
 
 
A highlight of the evening was HYC volunteer Harry Gallagher being was among those honoured as Volunteer of the Year, acknowledging his vital role in the club.  HYC’s success is underpinned by a strong member-led volunteering culture, with approximately 150 members involved across all aspects of club life.
 
Harry is a highly respected and well-known HYC Race Officer who 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. 
 
 
“We are incredibly proud of Harry and absolutely delighted to see him recognised as Volunteer of the Year,” said HYC Commodore Kevin Monks, who attended the Fingal Sports Awards. “Harry embodies the spirit of our club — generous with his time, welcoming to everyone, and always willing to go the extra mile. His recognition reflects the dedication of so many volunteers who make Howth Yacht Club the community it is.”
 
 
“We are also thrilled to receive the Sports Inclusion Club of the Year Award,” he added. “Inclusion is not an add-on for us — it’s central to who we are as a club. This award recognises the collective effort of our members, volunteers and partners like Fingal County Council, Howth-Sutton Autism Friendly Community, Active Connections, and Sailing into Wellness to create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. It means a great deal to us and encourages us to continue building a club where everyone feels they belong.”
 
Central to the Club’s inclusion initiatives is its partnership with Sailing Into Wellness Ireland, through which HYC hosts therapeutic and educational sailing programmes for people from marginalised or vulnerable backgrounds, using sailing as a powerful tool to support wellbeing, confidence and connection.
 
 
HYC has also been recognised as Ireland’s first Autism Champion sailing club by AsIAm and continues to work with Howth-Sutton Autism Friendly Community to enhance autism-inclusive practices at the club.
 
In collaboration with Fingal County Council and Active Connections, HYC has supported the Ability Water-Based Camps for children with additional needs, which successfully continued in 2025. 
 
In 2025, HYC further demonstrated its inclusive ethos through the successful Women at the Helm event, promoting female participation in sailing and club life. This commitment is reflected in club leadership, with women making up 40% of the General Committee.
 
Beyond sailing, the Club organises a wide range of social and off-the-water activities to ensure members remain connected, contributing to the strong sense of community and belonging at HYC.
 
The Club is also deeply involved in the wider Howth community, supporting outreach initiatives and fundraising events, including efforts for Pieta House and ongoing support for the Howth RNLI.
 
Receiving the Sports Inclusion Club of the Year Award is a significant milestone for Howth Yacht Club and a testament to the dedication of the team, its members, volunteers and partners in making sailing — and club life — accessible to all.