Last nights celebrations in Dun Laoghaire for Annalise Murphy proved to be a great night. Our Junior Affairs Officer Mandy Kelly brought 14 of the SDC Juniors across in Ribs to see the floating parade in Dun Laoghaire Harbour and the gathering in the Peoples Park.
Mandy was supported by a couple of our Instructors Saoirse Kelly and Alex Hynes. The event was organised by the National Yacht Club and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council. The Club and the kids were the only one to arrive via the water and they were given a great reception by everybody.
Annalise, our first Olympic sailing medallist since our own Jamie Wilkinson and David Wilkins brought Silver back from Moscow in 1980 arrived at the East Pier with members of many of the Bays sailing clubs. Annalise and other members of the Irish Olympic team were then welcomed at the People Park by NYC Commodore, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council representatives and the Irish Sailing Association.
The kids got to meet and talk with Annalise and our own Oisin Kelly and Howth Yacht Club junior Johnny Flynn were interviewed and shown on UTV Live. The festivities included Samba bands and while there was still light, Mandy brought the kids back on the Ribs to Sutton Dinghy Club for a swim and pizza.