1979 Fastnet Race Remembrance

by Courtesy Scuttlebutteurope on 9 Apr 2004 Twenty-five years ago this August, the Fastnet Race was torn by a storm that led to the loss of 15 lives among racing sailors and the sinking of five boats.

The anniversary of the most tragic event in yachting history will be honoured during summer 2004 by Cape Clear Museum & Archive, located on the southwest coast of Ireland, within sight of the Fastnet Rock which is the turning mark for the race.

On Sunday afternoon May 23, the island’s Museum will open an exhibition on the 1979 Fastnet Race, and on Sunday August 15th, it will host the 1979 Fastnet Race Remembrance, at which a permanent memorial to those who died in the race will be unveiled.

A short account of the 1979 Fastnet Race and of the lighthouses at the Fastnet Rock will be published in July to permanently record the tragedy of August 1979. In mid July the Fastnet Race of 1979 will also be recalled during Lifeboat Week on the island.

These events will be part of the museum’s recognition of the 150th anniversary of a lighthouse on Fastnet Rock.

Cape Clear Museum Archive invites the submission of documentation of any kind relating to the 1979 Fastnet Race. Memories, photographs, newspaper accounts and film material will be welcome for inclusion in the Island Archive.

Anyone who has, at anytime participated in the Fastnet Race is invited to record their experience and have it preserved for posterity at Cape Clear.

The work of the museum is entirely voluntary and people wishing to be associated with the 1979 Fastnet Race Remembrance are invited to contact:

Dr. Éamon Lankford, Director Cape Clear Museum & Archive, 13 Dyke Parade, Cork, Ireland. Tel. 353 21 4274110 or
e-mail:logainmneacha@yahoo.com