Kinsale Yacht Club bestowed Honorary Membership to Rear Admiral Mark Mellett DSM at a Reception at the Yacht Club on Friday 31st January.

Rear Admiral Mellett DSM is the first member of the Naval Service to have been promoted to the Naval Rank of Rear Admiral in the history of the Irish Naval Service.  Kinsale Yacht Club has a close association with the Naval Service and the Navy uses Kinsale Harbour regularly.

Rear Admiral Mark Mellett and Mrs Liz Mellett were welcomed to Kinsale Yacht Club by Finbarr O’Regan Commodore, KYC and Tom Roche, Vice Commodore KYC.

“It is a great privilege to congratulate Rear Admiral Mark Mellett DSM on his recent appointment to Deputy Chief of Staff and promotion to Rear Admiral and to bestow Honorary Membership of Kinsale Yacht Club on him today. The Naval Service is a great supporter of Kinsale Yacht Club and particularly disabled sailing in the Club over many years,” said Finbarr O’Regan, Commodore KYC.

Also in attendance at the Reception were Commodore Tully. Commander Willie Roberts was represented by Lt Cdr Brian Matthews, Naval Service Yacht Squadron.

They were joined by David Ross and Bobby Nash, Rear Commodores, KYC, John Stallard Sailing Secretary and Ex Commodore, Dave O’Sullivan, Treasurer KYC, Commandant Ian Travers, member KYC and Phil Devitt, Kinsale Harbour Master. Former KYC Commodores in attendance included Conor Doyle, Alice Kingston, Julie Silfverberg and Hans Hellstern.

Pictured at the ceremony were Commodore Hugh Tully, Irish Naval Service; Cllr. Tony Cierans, Mayor of Kinsale; Liz Mellet; Rear Admiral Mark Mellett DSM; Finbarr O'Regan, Commodore, Kinsale Yacht Club and Lt. Cmdr. Brian Matthews, Irish Naval Service.
Picture. John Allen