The Irish Cruising Club's West's Awake Rally

- June 27, 2022

The Wests’ Awake four seasons cruise

What started out as the Commodore’s bold decision to host the first western cruise in the history of the ICC, became the first cruise to suffer two years of postponement due to Covid 19. Planning cruises in the west depends on the weather cooperating, of course. Not only did the pandemic crush all plans of cruising in company, but also the changing climate has infused a measure of additional unpredictability to any planning for scheduled activities, especially in the West, as hurricanes Ophelia and Lorenzo proved in recent years.

In 2022, the brave Western contingent of the ICC took on the post-pandemic challenge of getting members out to the wild west of Mayo and Galway’s wild Atlantic way once again. The itinerary was set over a two-week period with plenty of layover days planned in to allow for weather delays. There was great enthusiasm expressed by members and up to 15 vessels and some 50 people had expressed interest in joining the two-week meander along the coasts of Mayo and Galway. That might have proved challenging in some of the harbours, but we’d manage.

Mid-June, taking in Midsummer’s Eve, a time of often settled weather in the west and predominant southwesterlies, Alex Blackwell and Ray O’Toole split the responsibilities, with Alex taking Mayo plus Inishbofin (which really should be part of Mayo and has been in the past) and Ray taking charge of the Galway itinerary.

Rosmoney in Clew Bay

Lo and behold, as the day approached for yachts to gather in Rosmoney, tropical storm Alex wreaked havoc off the coast followed by a succession of lows that blanketed the coasts with contrary winds. Boats in the South trying to head west encountered strong westerlies while the folks coming from the north faced strong southerlies, and we in the middle had predominantly frosty northerlies. The temperatures remained so cool that reports of snow began circulating.

Add to that several cases of Covid, a dismasting, and a death, and bookings became a movable feast. The cancellations and changes of crew numbers were being filed daily. A few were being added last minute as plans shifted. Keeping track of who, what, where and when proved interesting.

When the day arrived, despite rough conditions off Achill Head, we had six yachts moored in Rosmoney, and a land cruiser securely tied to the quay. In addition, we welcomed several members who joined us by land for the dinner in Rosmoney. The weather proved manageable and cars shuttled members to and from Westport for provisions and crew changes.

The start-up dinner had us meeting up at the Mayo Sailing Club, a picturesque location with clubhouse views over to the Nephin range. The reduced number of attendees caused the caterer, Ana of Tia Café, to suggest a change of menu. Instead of a choice of fish or slow-cooked beef, she suggested a very special 6-course tasting menu. Oh my, it did not disappoint. Expertly prepared by herself and a young sous chef and served by her daughters, it was a meal to remember. People kept commenting that they’d never had such a sumptuous meal in any yacht club in any country they had visited. Thank you, Ana! First stop a success.