National Yacht Club

VISIONARY OF IRISH SAILING & CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Freddie Cooney, who died peacefully aged just 67, was a highly successful businessman and sailor whose positive attitude and “can do” spirit was an inspiration to the many people whose lives he influenced in both business and sport. He was a champion sailor in many fleets but his greatest nautical triumph was when, as Commodore, he led the National Yacht Club back on the road to recovery after two disastrous fires in the mid 1980s. At 39, he was the youngest Commodore since the foundation of the club in 1870 and also among the very best. His visionary leadership, determination and positivity enabled the club to rise from the ashes and in later years it has prospered under his guidance in the role of Trustee of the club. As Commodore, he also pioneered the change in the club rules, so woman could avail of full membership – a revolutionary move at the time and the first sailing club in Ireland to do so. Freddie was an innovative and dynamic businessman who skilfully developed a number of well known businesses including The Louvre Design Centre, The Door Store, Knobs and Knockers, Liberty of London and latterly the successful Fireseal firm who have fireproofed many of the landmark buildings in the country. Freddie Cooney was above all a family man whose wife Jo and children Philip, Jonathan and Catherine shared his love of the sea, of life and of their adopted home of Dalkey. The eldest of four children, Frederick (Freddie)Cooney was born on 7th September 1943 into a home in Corrig Road, Dun Laoghaire and Freddie got his early lessons in business from his father who ran Cooney’s pub of Dun Laoghaire. He attended St. Anne’s Montessori School and then CBC Monkstown where he developed a love of rugby leading to a decade on the wing for Monkstown Rugby Club. He was a lifelong member and supporter of the club. Freddie set up his first business in 1970, and in 1988 he saw that building regulations were demanding higher fire safety standards and he began providing specialist Fire protection. Fireseal was a great success and has provided fire protection for buildings such as the Dublin Criminal Courts, Carton House and the DAA’s new Terminal 2. His legacy in Fireseal is continued today by his son Jonathan. His love of sailing began with a introduction from Michael O’Herlihy , Aidan Brindley, and Frank Lemass. He was a naturally talented sailor and sailed Glens, Dublin Bay 21’s and 24’s before winning the National Championships in his Ruffian “Ruffage”. In the late 1980’s he won back to back National titles in the highly competitive Shipman class on “Therapi”. Also at this time Freddie was honoured to be elected to the committee of the sail training vessel Asgard II. It is a tribute to Freddie’s foresight that in 1987 he and a friend, the then commodore of Howth Yacht Club – Tom Fitzpatrick sought and were refused planning permission for a Marina in Dun Laoghaire. They were ahead of their time. In recent years he moved into Cruisers with “Finnegans’ Wake” named in recognition of his favourite watering hole in Dalkey. When the members of the National elected him Commodore in 1983, he approached the challenge with the same gusto that he gave to commerce. One winter’s night in 1984, fire gutted the entire building. In the months following the fire, many members wavered about renewing membership – fearing that levies might have to be used to pay for any rebuild. This was Freddie’s finest hour. He assembled a small group of like minded and determined sailors who immediately set about getting plans drawn up for a vastly improved clubhouse. In parallel he launched a host of innovative funding mechanisms that avoided a reduction in membership. Fred’s confidence, positivity, immense energy and work ethic inspired all around him and saw the club through its darkest hour. As a Trustee he oversaw the growth of the club to a membership of over 1,600. Freddie Cooney made a lasting impression upon everyone that he met and is sorely missed by all. He died peacefully at home in Dalkey. Frederick Cooney 7th September 1943 to 14th October 2010.