This the premier event of the year, our 50th Anniversary!
The Irish Ruffian Association is thrilled to announce that we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beloved Ruffian 23 sailboat. This iconic vessel, designed and built by brothers Dickie and Billy Brown in Portaferry, County Down, has stood the test of time and continues to be enjoyed by sailors around the world.
In honour of this milestone, we are planning a trip back to the home port of Portaferry where it all began, where we will meet members of the builders family and more. We invite all Ruffian 23 owners and fans to join us for a weekend of celebration and nostalgia as we reminisce on the early days of the Ruffian and its storied history. We'll be taking part in sailing events on Stanford Lough and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow sailors as we celebrate this historic vessel.
There is a cruise from Dublin Bay, but all Ruffian owners no matter where you are located are invited to join the weekend. We can help with trailers and lifting in your boat at Stanford Lough.
Event details:
Ruffian 23, 50th Anniversary 1973 - 2023
The Ruffians 50th Anniversary year is being celebrated with a Regatta Weekend in Portaferry, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, this summer. Designed and built by the Brown Brothers from Portaferry, the home and birthplace of the Ruffian 23.
The event schedule is as follows:
Thursday 15th June
Assemble at the entrance to the Narrows leading into Strangford Lough 17.45, sail in convoy to Portaferry, berthing at Portaferry marina 19.00
Friday 16th June
Cruise in convoy up Strangford Lough calling into Yacht Clubs, lunch stop at Yacht Club, cruise back to Portaferry late afternoon
18.00 Boat Inspection and Ecumenical blessing of boats at Portaferry marina 19.30 Talk in Portaferry Sailing Club (PSC) on history of Ruffian 23
21.00 Music and craic venue TBA
Saturday 17th June
Morning Ruffian racing in Strangford Lough followed by prize giving in afternoon at PSC
19.30 / 20.00 Dinner at PSC
Sunday 18th June
Early depart 07.00 to catch tide or at each boats discretion
Boats sailing from Dublin Bay
Wednesday 14th June - afternoon
Sail in convoy to Skerries or Clogher Head Thursday 15th June
Sail in convoy to Ardglass and thence to Narrows
Ruffians, please make every effort to get your boat to Portaferry for this event, if you're stuck for crew or would like some additional crew with cruising background, please contact the Irish Ruffian Association and we will endeavour to put you in touch with crew.
If you are trailering your boat there will be a crane available (modest fee) at Whiterock, SLYC, details from Ruffian Association. Alternatively, if you can't get your boat there (and we hope you do !!) come along and join a Ruffian for cruising or racing, there will also be spectator boats cruising the Lough for the event. All Ruffians from Great Britain most welcome to join us.