Kinsale Yacht Club will host the 19th bi-annual Sovereign’s Cup Regatta 23rd to 26th June 2021. Regatta Director for this year’s event is Anthony O’Neill. In November he revised plans for this year’s event, reducing the number of boats from the usual 100 to 62 in keeping with Covid 19 restrictions.
The Sovereign's Cup regatta was the brainchild of Denis Kiely in the early 1990s. Pat Pyne was also very much involved - as was another club stalwart John Godkin. Most people think it is called after the Sovereign Rocks east of the harbour mouth – not so! They discovered that the ‘Sovereign of Kinsale’ as the elected head of the Corporation of Kinsale used to put up a trophy for a sailing race in the late 1700s or early 1800s. It was considered appropriate that the proposed event would be named Sovereign's Cup.
The original trophy was unavailable, so a special Waterford Glass "Sovereign's Cup" was made for the inaugural event in 1995. It is presented to the best performing boat in IRC.
Another trophy called the "Portcullis" is based on the tradition of using a Portcullis in the KYC Burgee which celebrates the area's history. It is presented to the winner under the CHS handicap system.
The main sponsor for the event is the O’Leary Insurance Group. From an initial complement of three staff in 1961 with founding Chairman, Archie O'Leary, O'Leary Insurances has successfully grown and developed into an Insurance Brokerage which specialises in providing a high level of customer service throughout Ireland. The company now has over two hundred and fifty employees operating from eight locations, including Cork, Dublin, Waterford and Galway. O'Leary Insurances provides a comprehensive insurance broking service to clients, both in Ireland and abroad.
The Sovereign’s Cup Regatta is also kindly supported by Old Head Golf Links. Occupying a stunning and unique headland reaching out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the Old Head of Kinsale is home to a most spectacular world-class golf course and luxury accommodation.
As Kinsale Yacht Club Clubhouse is restricted to booked table service only for food and beverages, and given that the marina is in the town, the organisers are confident that the local hotels, restaurants and bars will cater for many of the participants and guests.
Welcome to all visitors to Kinsale for the event.