KINSALE Regatta Festival chairman Frank O’Brien and Kinsale Regatta 5 Mile Road Race director Jeremiah Callanan were honoured guests at the annual KYC Sailability prize-giving ceremony hosted by Kilmacsimon Swimming and Rowing Club on Saturday October 4th.  

They were there to present a cheque for €8,518.14, proceeds of the Kinsale Regatta 5 Mile Road Race that is a fixture of the August bank holiday weekend.  Organised by Kinsale Tri Club and now one of the biggest road races in Ireland, 900 athletes registered from Ireland, the UK, the USA, Luxembourg, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Australia, China, and South Africa.  Donal Hickey, KYC Sailability class captain said the funds would be used to buy motorised kayaks to enhance access and inclusivity for Sailability members, following a successful trial period over the summer.

Sailability promotes the sport for people of all abilities, from beginners to Olympians, and this was reflected as the assembled sailors of all ages were presented with their awards at the end of an action packed season.  There were cheers and tears as Sailability secretary Bernadette Walsh announced the winner of the annual Sailability honorary award, also known as the Kinsale Kettle, to Sean and Helen Shearan from Ahiohill, Clonakilty.  It is the first time the award has gone to a son and his mother, but Bernadette said their story was exceptional and embodied the ethos of the club: ‘After a horrific car crash that left him with life-changing injuries, many would have turned inward, choosing safety over struggle, stillness over the sea.  But not Sean. He came to Sailability not looking for sympathy, but for challenge.  And oh, did he rise to meet it.  Whether on the water or on the shore, he’s shown time and again that courage doesn’t mean being unafraid - it means sailing straight into the wind anyway.  Helen’s quiet strength, fierce dedication, and unwavering love have been the wind in his sails.  Together they represent the very soul of Sailability - inclusivity, resilience, and community.  Their story reminds us of what human strength really looks like.’  

Presenting the historic Regatta trophy to Sean and Helen, Frank O’Brien said: ‘I am humbled to be here at such a joyful occasion with so many fiercely competitive sailors, their family, friends and supporters, the Sailability volunteers, and of course Donal and Bernadette, and to be shown that life is not about what we can’t do, but what we choose to do.  Kinsale Regatta Committee looks forward to a long and successful partnership with Sailability.’ 

The 2026 Kinsale Regatta will take place from Friday July 31st to Monday 3rd August, with the 5 Mile Road Race on Friday evening.