Date announced for return of SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race 2024

The start date for the biennial SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race has been announced and will start from Wicklow Sailing Club at 1400 hrs on Saturday 22nd June 2024.

The SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race 2024 will leave Ireland and its islands to starboard, while starting and finishing at the scenic port of Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland after racing for at least 705 nautical miles.

The 2024 edition of the race marks the 22nd running of Ireland’s premier offshore sailing event and the continued title sponsorship of the race by SSE Renewables, the leading renewable energy developer, owner and operator in Ireland.

The race will offer both competition and personal achievements for boat owners and crews alike and has been described as the ‘Kilimanjaro of Sailing’ for its bucket-list appeal.

The SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race is the pinnacle of the ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association) series and is the second longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar while also alternating with the Rolex Fastnet Race.

The race is also a calendar event of France’s National Offshore Racing Union (UNCL) and Classe 40 series.

The 2022 edition saw 52 entries despite being the first event to take place in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Large crowds were drawn to Wicklow Town for the race and festival with a significant economic benefit for the local community.

"With the support of SSE Renewables once more, our ambition has increased, and we hope to reach upwards of 70 entries for the 2024 race. And with Kyran O’Grady, who has competed on several occasions himself, taking on the role of Race Director, we are in safe hands."

Karen Kissane Commodore, Wicklow Sailing Club

"SSE Renewables is delighted to continue to support Wicklow Sailing Club in the delivery of yet another eagerly anticipated Round Ireland sailing event. We’re looking forward to building on the success of our involvement in last year’s sporting spectacle and local festival event by extending the excitement associated with the Round Ireland not just throughout Wicklow but amongst sailing communities all around the island. In this way, our sponsorship of the Round Ireland is an ideal fit as we continue to advance our pipeline of offshore wind projects off Ireland’s east, south and west coasts."

Barry Kilcline Head of Offshore (Ireland) for SSE Renewables

The Notice of Race for the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race 2024 will be published on 31st July 2023 and the competition will officially open for entries 8th January 2024.