21.10.2025, 18:00 P.M.
Ireland's Historic Yacht Clubs by Peter Pearson, Irish artist, author, conservationist and historian.
This is the third talk in the Water & Ireland's Architectural Heritage autumn Conservation Education talk series.
Abstract:
The history of yachting in Ireland extends back to the early 18th century when the oldest yacht club in the world was established in Cork Harbour. Later, The Royal Cork Yacht Club acquired a fine premises in Cobh. While the three 19th century yacht clubs on the waterfront of Dunlaoghaire Harbour are uniquely beautiful classically inspired buildings- possibly unique in the world. Their history dates back to the early origins of yachting in Dublin Bay during the first half of the 19th century, when the harbour hosted magnificent yachts of great size at its yearly summer regattas. The club houses with their neo-classical facades and fine interiors have been carefully maintained over the last 175 years and they are an integral part of historic Dunlaoghaire.
Peter Pearson is a historian, conservationist and artist with a lifelong commitment to the protection and enhancement of Ireland’s architectural heritage. As an artist, he has had solo exhibitions in Venice, Rome, London and Dublin. Peter's love of older buildings led to his first book, Dun Laoghaire: Kingstown (1981), and later to his activism as a member of An Taisce and the Irish Georgian Society where he fought to save many historic buildings in Dublin and beyond. He initiated the Drimnagh Castle Restoration Project in 1985 and a survey and plan to save the Temple Bar area. He was a founder member of the Dublin Civic Trust, a member of the Heritage Council and is an honorary life member of the Dún Laoghaire Historical Society.
His bestselling book Between the Mountains and the Sea, Dun Laoghaire–Rathdown County (1998) details the architectural heritage of the county; The Heart of Dublin (2000) charts the origins and planning of Dublin’s streetscapes from early times to the present day. Peter Pearson's Decorative Dublin (2002) explores the craftsmanship of Dublin, while Of Sea and Stone (Gandon, 2014). His most recent book, The Granite Coast (2022) explore Dún Laoghaire and its coastal surroundings.
Image: National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin.