Ciara O’Tiarnaigh was elected Commodore for 2022. 

Ian McCormack was elected Commodore for 2020 following a no. of terms on the General Committee.

Stephen Boyle was elected Commodore for 2018 after a no. of terms on the General Committee. Immediately prior to becoming Commodore, Stephen completed 3 years as President of the GP14 Ireland Class Association. Stephen follows in his father Padraig footsteps in becoming Commodore.

Jim Lambkin was elected Commodore for 2015 after 3 years as Vice-Commodore. This followed over 12 years as the Clubs Treasurer. Jim has been a members of the Sutton Dinghy Club CE Project sub-committee since its inception back in 1995. He has been active on the Sailing Committee for many years. Jim is part of the Clubs race management team and in 2016 was confirmed as a Regional RO.

Andy Johnston was elected Commodore for 2012 after a year as Vice Commodore. Andy’s family association with Sutton Dinghy Club goes back to 1951 when his mother Ann joined as a junior member. His own sailing centered around Howth Yacht Club, crewing national and international offshore events such as the Fastnet and Round Ireland Race on the well known Comanche Raider. Andy then spent 15 years racing Howth 17’s and Etchells, winning Howth 17 National Championships in 2005 and Italian Ethchell National Championships in 2007.

With his kids involved in dinghy sailing, Andy became active in Sutton Dinghy Club bringing a clear and business like approach to running the Club operations and finance, particularly in the areas of communications, risk, policies & procedures and use of technology. Andy also Chaired the Irish Sailing Associations Communications Advisory Group which became a key contributor to the ISA Strategic Plan 2015-2020. His final year as Commodore culminated in the re-establishment of the unique Book Trophy event with Royal Cork Yacht Club and the celebration of the Club’s 75th Anniversary. Andy was nominated for Afloat/ISA 2014 Sailor of the Year award. Andy continued involvement includes various sub-committees and CE Project Board member. Andy has been a member of the GP14 Ireland Class Association since 2016, Secretary from 2017 and was recently elected President in September 2022.   

Charles A Sargent currently holds the endurance record for Commodore service, having served a total of six years over three terms. A son of former SDC Commodore Charles M (“Charlie”) Sargent, “young” Charles arrived in Sutton in 1956 with the family, and learned to sail in Sutton in his father’s International 12. Having crewed in IDRA 14s in his teenage years, Charles returned to SDC with four new Junior members in 1983, and helming his own 14/126. Following the family tradition, both Charles and his wife Catherine became active Committee members. Charles was elected Hon. Secretary and also took on the editor role for the Club newsletter “Knots”.

During his first term as Commodore in 1994 and 1995, Charles steered the Club onto a new course, when it set up the Sailing School with a fleet of dinghies to provide sailing courses for the general public, with the aim of introducing new people to the sport, and persuading as many as possible to become Club members. He was persuaded to sign up again as Dick Dunne’s Vice-Commodore for 1997 and 1998, when together as engineers they began the design and planning process to expand the Club facilities.

His three-year term as Commodore from 1999 to 2001 saw progress on the planning aspect of the development project, as well as the management of the disruption caused to sailing in Sutton Creek during the laying of the Dublin Bay Submarine Pipeline. Never one to leave a job incomplete, he remained on the Committee and served one more term as Commodore in 2011. Charles remains on Committee and is currently Chairperson of the Club’s CE Project Management Committee and is also still sailing 14/126, now crewed by a granddaughter.

Charles attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club.

Michael O’Neill was Commodore between 2008 and 2010, having joined the Club in the late 90’s. He was active on both Sailing and General Committee including periods as Sailing Secretary and Vice Commodore.

On the water he Club raced a GP14 for many years with Dick Dunne and is heavily involved as a Scout Leader with the local Howth Sea Scouts.

Aidan Henry was Commodore from 2006 to 2007. Born a short distance from the Club on Strand Road, he joined as a junior in the mid 50’s and has been involved in  the Club ever since. He has held Vice Commodore and Sailing Secretary roles, but to this day his involvement in encouraging all and sundry and in particular juniors onto the water is just immense.

Along with his brother Ronan, he crewed Fireballs in the mid 60’s , a golden era for the Club. He attended the inaugural Fireball World Championships in 1966 and accompanied a 4 boat Sutton Dinghy Club team to the 1967 Worlds in France, where the Club recorded a 3rd and 4th place. Aidan raced IDRA14’s for many years, but a real passion is his beloved International 12, the original dinghy of choice in Ireland and worldwide in early 40’s. The lovingly restored 12 Dorado attends Classic and International regattas when Aidan finds the time.

To this day Aidan ensures all racing and regattas are manned and prized up to maximise enjoyment for all. Aidan is a closet collector, restorer and historian of all types of dinghies particularly the IDRA14. Around the Club, Aidan is a huge supporter of the Cruise Around, Inter-Schools and of the RNLI and has been a CE Project board member for many years.

Aidan attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club.

Muriel O’Tiarnaigh, wife of the late Riocard O’Tiarnaigh became the Clubs first female Commodore in 2003. A native of Dublin, Muriel joined Sutton Dinghy Club in 1970. She cut her dinghy sailing teeth crewing for Riocard in IDRA 14’s and later in GP14’s.

Muriel used her excellent organisational skills to drive many of the Clubs much needed social fundraising events. Major financial accomplishments included a successful Fashion Shows and during her period as Commodore in 2004 a ‘Dream Auction’ that between them contributed to very significant internal and external developments of the Clubhouse and Dinghy Park.

Muriel served on the Sailing and General Committee for many years and today continues to be a major supporter of Club events and in particular the All-Ireland Inter-Schools event. Muriel attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where she was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark her commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club.

Noel Dempsey was Commodore in 2002 and 2003, having been selected by Charles Sargent as his Vice Commodore in 1999. They both worked closely on the development of the Clubs boat “hard stand”. Despite a personal workload that meant extensive time in Middle-East and Palestine, Noels experience in engaging, negotiation and discussions with planning authorities, local government and Dept of the Marine for foreshore license was invaluable to the Club development plans. Noel was an enthusiastic supporter of the IDRA14 class, maintaining involvement in Club racing until recently with 14/121.

Noel served for many years on the Clubs CE Project Board and continues to be a presence on the ground helping with both Club and Open events. While no longer an active Committee member Noel is a respected sounding board for major decisions within the Club. Noel attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club. Noel became a Trustee of Sutton Dinghy Club at the 2014 AGM.

Dick Dunne was commodore in 1997 -1998. Having joined the Club in1985, Dick served on Committee for many years and was Vice Commodore 1994- 1996. Dick began his sailing in Bray Sailing Club in GP14s and Wayfarers. He continued sailing in GP14s in Sutton with Bernard Muckley, Michael O’Neill and Tom Burke. His three children, Siobhan, Liam and Eimear were active sailors in the Club during their teens with Liam also becoming an ISA sailing instructor.

Dick along with Charles Sargent began the design and planning process to expand the Club facilities in 1997. Dick was also instrumental in developing the relationship with FAS that resulted in the establishment of the Community Employment Project which has been running since 1995. Dick was Chairman and Director of the CE Project through to 2012.

Dick became a Club Trustee in 2014 and continues to stay involved as part of the Club race management team. Dick is actively involved with both Sutton Lawn Tennis Club and Howth Golf Club.

Dick attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club. 

Riocard O’Tiarnaigh enjoyed three separate terms as Commodore. In 1975 he extended the racing season with the ‘Leg of Lamb’ series. He set up the first All Ireland Inter-schools Sailing Competition that 41 years later is one of the most popular racing events on the calendar attracting up to 150 sailors, 120 boats from 30+ schools.

Riocard always had ideas and with the Club in difficult times in the early 90’s, he was never afraid to take those ideas forward. In particular the development of the Clubs Sailing School and developing the relationship with FAS that sees Sutton Dinghy Club as proud sponsor of a CE Project supporting the local community are shining examples.

He was instrumental in the development of the fibreglass IDRA 14, and introduced to GP14’s Class the early season Challenge event now named in his honour. Riocard enjoyed terms as President of the Irish and the International GP14 Class Associations and also served as Hon-Sec of the Irish Sailing Association and was awarded the ISA Presidents Medal.

Padraig Boyle was Commodore in 1992-93 having joined Sutton Dinghy Club in 1983. Padraig began his sailing in GP14’s with his brother Hughie in Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club in 1975. Shortly after he purchased his own GP14 ‘Zoe’ and competed in the GP Worlds in 1977 in Clontarf. He also sailed in the British Nationals in Mumbles in Wales and the Worlds in Troon, Scotland in 1978. Padraig regularly sailed the HYC Laser Frostbites in the late 80’s.

He served twenty years on the Committee in Sutton Dinghy Club in various roles including Sailing Secretary, Vice Commodore and Commodore. In addition he was Chairman of the Eastern Branch of the IYA/ISA for 8 years. His sons Stephen and Stuart and more recently his grandson Peter followed into GP14 racing with notable success.

Always a keen water-polo player and sea swimmer, Pobo as he is known to his friends continues to swim locally. He is still actively involved in Race Management in Sutton Dinghy Club today.

Padraig attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club.

John Kavanagh was Commodore in 1989. A member of a well known Howth sailing family, Johns involvement in Sutton Dinghy Club only started when his kids asked to try dinghy sailing in early 80’s. That period saw Sutton Dinghy Club as a major force in junior Mirror sailing and from the start the Kavanagh family were totally hooked.

With the kids actively engaged on the Mirror circuit, John himself took up dinghy sailing and along with Harry Gallagher, raced the IDRA14 Cheetah for many years. When not following the Mirrors around the country, John and his wife Sheila helped organise events, fund raise and became very active committee members.

Prompted and supported by Tony Cleary to consider the Commodore role, John became more involved in pushing the development of the Clubs premises and took a very hands-on approach in organising painting and decorating work parties. John is still very active in the local community and a member of HYC and Sutton Golf Club.

John attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club.

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Tony attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club. Tony passed away in 2022.

Terry Harvey was Commodore in 1984-85 having served on the committee for many years, principally as Sailing Secretary before being elected to the roll of Vice Commodore. Terry was also one of the club’s leading Race Officer’s  during this period. Terry took up sailing in Sutton as a young adult and was drawn to the thriving IDRA14 fleet where he honed his skills and still holds the record for number of National titles, an impressive 14 in total.

Since moving on from IDRA14s, Terry has regularly campaigned a Puppeteer out of Howth. Having played tennis for most of his life, Terry has now graduated to being an enthusiastic social golf player, although it is difficult to imagine that the old competitive instinct doesn’t rise to the fore occasionally. Terry has continued to provide race management support to the Club and became a Trustee of Sutton Dinghy Club at the 2014 AGM.

Terry attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club.

Joe Phelan served as Commodore of Sutton Dinghy Club in 1983 having spent years on the committee under the eye of Ian Sargent. In 1963, Joe and his wife Trish bought an IDRA 14 which they sailed for the next 20 years. During his time in SDC he became involved in race management and progressed to become a National Race Officer in later years.

Attracted to the challenge of offshore racing, Joe moved to Howth Yacht Club and sailed with some great skippers such as Mungo Park and Roy Dickson, from whom an awful lot of knowledge was gained. The racing included numerous Irish Sea races, Scottish Series, Fastnets and Round Ireland races including many victories.

In 1995 Joe joined Peter Killen for some high latitude cruising to the West Coast of Greenland and the North Cape in North Norway in ’98. On retirement, Joe sailed as mate & navigator on Peter Killens yacht Pure Magic, which departed from Howth in the summer of 2004 and sailed to the Antarctic Peninsula and home by way of South Georgia & Cape Town.

Joe & Trish spend the summers cruising in Irish, Scottish or Welsh waters as the humour takes them. This year Joe will be joining Peter Killen in taking Pure Magic home to Howth from Nova Scotia via Disko Bay in Arctic Greenland. Joes sons, daughter and grand-children have all started their sailing from Sutton Dinghy Club.

Joe attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club.

Donal Sweeney know as Don to all was Commodore in 1981-1982 having served on the committee and then elected to the roll of Vice Commodore. Don took up sailing as an adult and became involved in the GP14 fleet with his boat Bacchus. On the junior side he also built two mirror dinghies from kits for his kids. Don was highly involved in the club around this time primarily as a fundraiser, organizing on the water fun-days with prizes for all, junior discos and the annual GP14 Christmas party. His auctions, renowned for great holidays, helped raise much needed funds towards clubhouse and new hard space. After GP14’s, Don sailed in Folkboats in Howth.

He was a keen gardener and handy about the house. He would have been involved longer in the club if it wasn’t for his untimely death in 1989 at the age of 53 years.

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Ian attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club.

Larry Cummins was commodore from 1975 to 1977. He was involved with the water from a young age as a Sea Scout and as a member of Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club and built and raced his own IDRA14. Larry and Loretta moved to Sutton in the 50’s where they and their children became totally involved in all levels of Club activity. Larry raced IDRA14, Enterprises, Solo and Mirrors with some distinction. Larry and Loretta were Enterprise Champions in 1961 and Larry also placed 3rd in Solo Nationals in 1960. Loretta took on Junior Affairs, and Larry rose through the Committee ranks to eventually serve as Commodore.

He also sailed out of Howth Yacht Club with the home built Siuin, and also raced a Shipman for many years as well as cruising many miles along the coasts of Ireland and Scotland. Larry and Loretta continued to give great support to the Club and regularly attended our Club’s annual Regatta, the “Cruise-In” barbecue and the Christmas prizegiving. Larry also did his bit for national recycling and beach cleaning and was regularly seen collecting firewood on the beach beside the Club. Larry passed away in 2011.

Neil Jenson was Commodore in 1974 having come to Ireland with his wife from UK for business reasons a few years earlier. Neil and his wife Gwen’s interest in Mirror sailing led them to Sutton Dinghy Club. Aside from the Mirrors, Neil owned and sailed IDRA 14/25 between 1970 and 1976. Neil and Gwen became very active committee members. An engineer by trade, Neil quickly became heavily involved at a time when the Clubs thoughts were turning to the development of the Club premises. Unfortunately for the Club, his business took Neil back to the UK in 1976 before the completion in 1977 of first major redevelopment since the initial Clubhouse in 1951. Sadly Neil passed away not long after his return to the UK.

Padraic O’Cearbhaill was Commodore in 1972-1973 having served on the committee and as Vice Commodore under Charlie Sargent. Padraic grew up in Clontarf and as a young 14 year old sailed from CYBC with a number of other boats to Sutton Dinghy Club as he remembers it to mark the set up of the new Club sometime in 1940.

Padraic served in the Army, based in Cork and eventually in the Curragh. He was a founder member of the Army Sailing Association, who sailed in Blessington. Padraic joined Blessington SC and served on Committee and was instrumental in the development of their Clubhouse. In 1967, due to family circumstances, Padraic left the Army and took over the family business. On returning to Dublin he moved to Sutton and joined Sutton Dinghy Club. He sailed Mirrors initially and became Secretary of Mirror Association and heavily involved in organising Mirror events.

Padraic continued to assist BSC as OOD for Open events for a number of years while becoming more involved on Committee in Sutton. In 1972 he was elected Commodore and helped set-up the Development Planning Committee which would eventually lead to a new Clubhouse in the early 80’s. At the end of his term as Commodore, Padraic was elected to the ISA Council and remained active on Club Committee.

Padraic’s 4 children all came through Optimist and Mirrors in Sutton while he continued to sail a Laser and a GP14 with Brendan O’Loughlin and Damian Jennings. In 1976 he bought a cruiser ‘Anatole’ from Jimmy Ennis (former Trustee) which was moored in Sutton Creek and was regularly used as Committee boat. Padraic moved ‘Anatole’ to Howth when the marina was built in 1984. Padraic became a Trustee Sutton Dinghy Club until retiring at the end of 2014.

Padraic attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club. Padraic passed away in December 2022 aged 96.

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Roy Dickson (1932-2020) was Commodore in 1969. Roy started sailing in a Snipe in Kilbarrack around 1950, before moving across to Sutton around 1954 along with brother Derek and friends Muiris Walsh and Peter Galton. Roy built two Yachting World Hornets, complete with sliding seats (pre-harness days) for the crew and between 1954 and 1959 raced them with success, winning Dinghy Week in 1953 and an international event in Burnham on Crouch in 1957 with Peter Galton.

Following a period sailing both IDRA14 and Enterprise dinghies, Roy and Muiris Walsh built Irelands first Fireballs in 1963. Roy and the Sutton Dinghy Club crews were competitive right up to international level, Roy finishing 3rd at the 1967 Worlds in France, ahead of fellow Sutton Dinghy Club club-mate David Lovegrove.

With the help of Peter O’Brien they had started the Fireball Class Association in Ireland and ushered in a golden era for Sutton Dinghy Club and Fireballs. The Club provided 8 Fireball National Champions between 1963 and 1973 with Roy winning 3 times in 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Roy’s boat-building prowess extended to his kids boats. 1973 saw Sutton Dinghy Clubs first Mirror National Champions when David & Alan Dickson won all before them in the home built Pink Panther.

During the 80’s Roy interest moved to big boats and offshore racing, campaigning a number of racing boats out of Howth Yacht Club including the famous IMP, Crackling Rosie, Blue Diamond and Rosie to great success in the Round Ireland, the Fastnet, Cork Week and many other events. While not building these boats, Roy was continuously making innovative modifications that kept them ultra competitive and his crew busy through the winter. Roy continued to take the helm on his Corby 25 Rosie in HYC club races into his early 80’s. Roy attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club. Roy passed away in early 2020.

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Muiris Walsh began his sailing career in Sutton Creek, originally as a member of Kilbarrack Sailing Club. With three of his friends (Roy & Derek Dickson and Peter Galton) he moved to Sutton Dinghy Club in 1957. These four built and raced Hornet dinghies in the Club, introducing Sutton crews to their unique “sliding seat” to get the weight outboard. He achieved the highest level of sailing in Ireland, winning the coveted Helmsmans Championships for Sutton in 1961. Always keen to try something new, in 1963 Muiris became one of the first Irish sailors to own and sail a Fireball.

When he joined Sutton Dinghy Club, Muiris was an Army officer, involved in the Ordnance Survey. When this was set up as a Government service, Muiris became its first Director. He put his professional skills to good use in the Dinghy Club, working with the team who built the extension to the Boat Park which was completed in 1967.

Muiris moved on from Sutton Dinghy Club to sail cruisers in Howth Yacht Club. However he never lost contact with his Sutton Dinghy Club roots, watching with interest when the 2007 Boat Park expansion built on the work he put in 40 years previously.

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Harry Hick (1906-1978) was Commodore in 1957-1958. Originally from Galway, Harry was educated in Wilsons Hospital School. He served his time in Ferrier Pollocks (St William St.) and worked in the wholesale drapery trade all his life. Harry moved to Sutton in 1939 and lived on Strand Road, almost halfway between his two great passions namely Sutton Dinghy Club and Suttonians Rugby Club where he was President in 1960 to 1962. Strand Road also gave him easy access to his other interest sea fishing and in particular bass fishing in Sutton Creek and Dublin Bay.

He was an energetic worker and was heavily involved in the building of the first Clubhouse between 1948 and 1951 as well as influential in future Club developments including the hard extension in 60’s. Harry was an enthusiastic sailor, buying IDRA14 Sandpiper in Cork in 1950 and racing it for many for many years.

Harry was renowned also for his various ‘eccentric’ boats such as the ‘African Queen’ and the converted lifeboat ‘Kyle Glen’ which were extensively used for fishing but also played key roles in supporting Sutton Dinghy Club events on the water.

Harry was generous with his time and advice to all and sundry and while seen as a local character was hugely liked and respected by all. Harry died on 15th September 1978.

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Desmond Keatinge ( -1962) was the second of five boys who grew up close to Sutton Creek, on Shielmartin Road. The family owned the small boat house which later became the first home to the Sutton Dinghy Club, and is now the home of current member Scorie Walls. A friend of the well known yacht designer John Kearney, Desmond’s first love was cruisers. He was crew on the maiden voyage of Mavis, a Kearney design in 1925. He cruised out of Howth and regularly sailed in the Howth 17’s. He was Honorary Secretary of the Irish Cruising Club in 1933 and 1941.

In his spare time, he and his brother Horace built two International 12 ft. dinghies in the early 1930s, Castor and Pollux. Desmond raced Pollux in Sutton Creek and Howth, which was still her official home until the Sutton Dinghy Club was founded in 1940. Pollux had a reputation for being “seaworthy”, which was perhaps a kind way of saying she was not the fastest filly in the fleet, but number seventeen had character.

Desmond was one of the founders and “Captain” of the SDC in 1940. In the early days of the Club, Keatinges Boathouse was the de facto Clubhouse and remained so until the current Clubhouse was completed in 1952.

Over the next twelve years or so it was the focus of his sailing life. His regular crew was John Morton (Strand Road), and later also Dronz Arigho and his daughter Jill. He tried manfully to stay on the same side of the horizon as Bunny Conn and the Greenaways, consoled by the thought he might beat them in a hurricane. Among the great events of his era were the visits of the Cork Harbour Sailing Club, and not just for the Book Trophy. Choral singing was an interest he shared with Tommy (“Dr.” to his friends) Weaving; it was no surprise that an emphatic rendering of “The Holy Ground” was a high point of his club’s hospitality in the old boathouse.

Desmond along with 2 other Sutton Dinghy Club members (Jem Sullivan & Bill McClelland) were the key influencers in the establishment of the Irish Dingy Racing Association. The first meeting was held in November 1945 in Desmonds offices on Grafton St. The rest is history with the IDRA ultimately the forerunner of Irish Sailing as its know today.

Desmond became the 3rd Commodore of Sutton Dinghy Club in 1948, after Arthur Layng. During the long winters from 1948-1951, when the foundations were being laid for the club’s present premises, Desmond organised the weekend working parties; fortuitously, the family business involved some building expertise. The boathouse became the base for the shivering volunteers, saved from hypothermia by tea and mounds of sandwiches (a laborious business in itself – sliced bread had not yet been invented).

In 1949 Desmond became the first owner of Sea Hawk, one of the first IDRA 14 fts built. In 1953 Desmond reverted to his first love, when the modified boathouse became the home of the Shielmartin , an innovative five-berth yawl designed by his friend John Kearney. The boat was many years later to feature on a postage stamp issued by the Belgian Post Office. Sadly, this adventure was cut short due to ill health and his last years afloat were spent in a curious two berth motor boat, The African Queen. He pottered and puttered from Red Rock to Athlone and beyond in the company of his good friend John Weaving. Desmond Keatinge passed away in 1962.

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