National Yacht Club

Mr Ronan Beirne, Vice-Commodore National Yacht Club Dun Laoghaire. 24-O6-2016 Dear Vice-Commodore, Please forgive my delay in writing this letter but as my brother, who lived in the country, died in May certain things had to be put on the back burner. He had been very ill for some time so in a way, while very sad, it was a release from terrible pain. We owe a huge debt of thanks to the Members of the National Yacht Club whom, together with some of our personal sailing friends reached our target of €40k for our “Get Finn to Rio campaign” Finn was able to send personal cards to all whose names Oonagh had received with their contributions. However there are a number of people who contributed at special functions he was unable to thank, for example the end of season Race last September, the Bar Quiz night last October and the Bucket collections on the international Rugby Days and the wonderful Junior Section Raffle at Easter. I would especially like to thank you for the great Fun Night and Raffle held at the Thursday Sailing Supper Night three weeks ago. I was sorry I was unable to attend but on behalf of Michael O’Leary, Alan Dooley and myself a big heart full thanks to all who attended the Supper, bought Raffle Tickets but above all gave such fabulous prizes. Finn has just returned for a few days from training in Croatia and will be departing for a Training Session in Rio on Monday 27th June. He will be back in Ireland for a few days before the final departure for the Games in August He asked me to write to you and make sure everyone whom had been so kind and supported him in so many ways knew how much he appreciates their help and good wishes and regrets he was unable to thank everyone personally It is going to be a really exciting time for us for when the games start we will have two young Sailors from our Club, our Golden Girl Annalise and Irelands youngest ever helm Finn at the Olympics and I am sure you willjoin with me in wishing them and our young neighbours from The Royal lrish Yacht Club Saskia Tidy and Andrea Brewster all the best of luck, fair winds and safe sailing Thank you once again, Very Sincerely Carmel Winkelmann