Overview
The National Yacht Club sits at the foot of the East Pier in Dún Laoghaire, in a clubhouse built in 1870 for the Kingstown Royal Harbour Boat Club and run under its present name since 1931. A slipway leads straight from the club into the harbour, and the club has more than eighty moorings, pontoons, fuel, water and a crane; cruising yachts can find berths with diesel, water and power. Dinghy and one-design keelboat racing is its strength – it hosted the Flying Fifteen Worlds in 2003 – and around 200 junior sailors train year-round through the Irish Sailing scheme. Its Women on the Water group hosts the biennial Women at the Helm Regatta, the largest women's regatta in Ireland.
- Founded
- 1870
- Federation
- Irish Sailing
- secretary@nyc.ie
- Phone
- +353 1 280 5725
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreHere MRCC Dublin – the app switches centre as you move, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- Women at the Helm Regattabiennial two-day women's regatta, the largest in Ireland (nearly 70 women helms in 2026)
- NYC Regatta
- NYC Junior Regattasummer regatta for junior sailors
- Junior September Series
- NYC Flying Fifteen Frostbitewinter series for the Flying Fifteen fleet
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
- Junior summer courses (Irish Sailing scheme), non-member bookings possible ↗
- Adult Sailing Courses ↗
- Irish Sailing National Powerboat Scheme courses ↗
- Navigation Courses ↗
- Transition Year Introduction To Match Racing ↗
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1870The present clubhouse, a mix of French château and garden pavilion styles, is built and the Kingstown Royal Harbour Boat Club is registered
- 1872Renamed the Kingstown Harbour Boat Club; later the building houses the Kingstown Harbour Yacht Club
- 1901Trustees take over the lease and register the Edward Yacht Club
- 1931The National Yacht Club is formed in the building and its burgee is created: the red cross of St George with blue and white quarters
- 1950A government warrant lets members fly a club ensign bearing a harp in place of the national flag – a privilege unique to the club
- 2003Host of the Flying Fifteen World Championship; the SB3 Worlds follow in 2008
- 2012Co-host of the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships with the Royal St George Yacht Club
- 2016The Women on the Water group is founded; it now has over 100 members
Location
- Position
- 53°17.60′ N 6°7.83′ W
53.29334, -6.13054 - Address
- East Pier, Dún Laoghaire
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Junior summer courses (Irish Sailing scheme), non-member bookings possible, Adult Sailing Courses, Irish Sailing National Powerboat Scheme courses, Navigation Courses and Transition Year Introduction To Match Racing.
Who do I call in an emergency at sea here?
Sea rescue: MRCC Dublin 112 / 999. Or call 112. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.
When was National Yacht Club founded?
In 1870.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Women at the Helm Regatta, NYC Regatta, NYC Junior Regatta and Junior September Series.