Mountjoy Challenge Race 2013
Musket man outside the only fortified sailing club in Ireland. The fort came under fire in 1689 from the fleet on their way up the river way to Break the boom.
The Mountjoy Challenge Race is a sailing race for traditional boats to break the boom of Derry and lift the siege. The Mountjoy was the name of the ship involved in breaking the boom in 1689 lifting the Siege. The Mountjoy Challenge Race commemorates that momentous boom breaking event that brought to an end the Siege of Derry saving the people in the city and changing the course of European History.
The race marked the official launch of the week-long Maiden City Festival, which is held yearly as part of the Apprentice Boys’ ‘Derry Day’ commemoration. This year is the inaugural Mountjoy Challenge Race.
The race is a collaboration between the Lough Foyle Yacht Club and the Apprentice Boys of Derry. It has been kindly sponsored by the Culture Company. It is hoped that many similar events will occur in the future.
The race was started by a musket man in period costume. An artificial boom was laid near the new pontoon near the Derry City Council Offices. Five traditional Lough Foyle Punts started racing from a point near the Foyle Bridge. One boat decided to try a look for stronger wind by taking a wider course, there was no stronger wind but there was stronger tide so their strategy did not pay. The four other boats initially close-hauled powered up into a beam reach as they moved across Rosses bay. The first boat hit the boom high speed but sailed through it without breaking it. The second boat approached in close pursuit with the jib man ready and armed with a knife and he efficiently broke the boom and won the race.
Sailors then tied up their boats on the pontoon and came ashore to a reception hosted by the Apprentice Boys in a dome shaped marquee.
The Governor of the Apprentice Boys awarded prizes to the winners and commemorative whiskey tumblers to all participating sailors. The Governor recounted the story of the actual boom break of 1689 two attempts were made, The Mountjoy rammed but did not break the boom. Instead, it was broken by sailors in a long boat from the frigate HMS Swallow. It was therefore all the more historically interesting that in the race today (after 324 years) that two attempts were still required to break the boom. Congratulations to Roy Louden, Ryan Louden and James Lynch who broke the boom.
Speech’s were made by the Mayor, the Governor and by Anthony Hutton on behalf of LFYC. LFYC would like to thank the Apprentice Boys whose hospitality was very generous and much appreciated. Thanks also to all those who helped with Rescue cover and laying the boom especially, Danny Gallagher, David Hoey, Liam Harrigan, Joan Doherty, Peter Fallon Snr. and many more.
Sean McCafferty was on hand to capture some great photo’s. Many thanks to Sean for this great Flickr set.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanphotos2013/sets/72157634898525065/
All the photo’s below were taken by Sean.
LFYC sailors with Govenor of the Apprentice Boys of Derry and the Mayor of the City
Lough Foyle Punts on way to Break the Boom
LFYC sailors come ashore looking serious having broke the boom
Jim Brownlee (Gvnr Apprentice Boys), Martin Reilly (Mayor City of Derry), Anthony Hutton (Commodore, LFYC), Roy Louden (Skipper of the winning boat), Ryan Louden (Middle Crew), James Lynch (Jib Crew)
