Admiral Annamarie is Cork Person of the Month

The first woman to be made admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club in more than 300 years has been named as the Cork Person of the Month for October.

Annamarie Fegan has been honoured in recognition of her contribution to Cork sailing, and for being the first female admiral in centuries.

A member of the RCYC for more than 25 years, Ms Fegan, who lives in Crosshaven, but is originally from Douglas, has long organised major events in the Cork sailing calendar.

She became admiral of the RCYC in January, an achievement she credits to past female members of the club and her two daughters.

Her executive includes three women, a record for the club. This reflects Ms Fegan’s and the yacht club’s commitment to empowering women in the sport and fostering an environment where all members can thrive, including young people and people who can’t afford to own their own boat.

Outside of sailing, she was the owner of catering business An Excellent Choice for more than 30 years and now works as a co-creational psychotherapist, having completed a master’s in relationship mentoring.

Ms Fegan lists her proudest sporting moment as winning the ‘Best Irish Boat’ award in the Fastnet Race, alongside her husband, Denis, daughters Molly and Mia, and the Nieulargo crew last year. During the race, she and the crew battled four storms.

At the Cork Person of the Month award presentation at the Metropole Hotel, awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan said Annamarie’s appointment as admiral was “inspiring”.

“Becoming RCYC’s first-ever female admiral, she is laying the foundations of success for future generations of female sailors, both locally and nationally. The RCYC is, indeed, one of our great institutions. Founded in 1720, it is the oldest sailing club in the world and has played a vital role in shaping the maritime heritage of Cork Harbour, the second-largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney Harbour,” he said.

Ms Fegan’s name will go forward for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at the annual gala awards lunch on January 24, 2025.