Dennis Woods (CAI, RSGYC, ICC) 1945-2024
Dennis was born in Newcastle UK in poor circumstances and was destined to be a welder upon leaving school in the ravaged UK shipyards. Happily, he got into an engineering job and rapidly did well, ending up some years later on the management team at Whitbread brewery.
He loved music and this interest brought him a job offer in Ireland in the 90s as head of Warner Bros Music which he took. He instantly loved Ireland and owned two notable yachts. Khamsin B was an Amel Santorin, 46 ft which he owned with Rob Kyle. This was sold in 2004 to the Garda Sailing club and still operates with them. Then, in 2025 he bought the lovely 52 ft Amel Super Maramu, Il Flauto Magico. He kept her in Dun Laoghaire marina and I sailed a lot on her in the early days of this century. A great sea boat with electric power to all functions, from reefing on all sails , electric toilets, to auto anchoring with jet wash to clean the anchor as it raised! 8 Kw generator and water maker. My kind of boat. Easily sailed by two people. He also acted as crew on my own yachts Xavantes, Adastra and Spiral Moon.
Dennis joined the CAI early on, and took part in many of our cruises. In 2014 he joined the committee, then in 2018 he was appointed Vice Commodore and rejoiced in the role for a further four years. More recently his health became a concern, but he sailed up to the Covid epidemic and then regularly attended CAI and RSGYC events.
His last year was spent mainly at his home near Killiney Beach with regular visits to the Irish, the George and other haunts. Only two weeks ago he was enjoying a Guinness or two in the Irish with me. And then, just before Halloween, in a blink, God took him, so he never felt the sorrow of prolonged ill health. His family did though, and our thoughts are now with them.
They don’t make ’em like Dennis anymore; a true Geordie, gruff, jolly, great musician, forthright, opinionated and immensely likeable. We have lost a great sailor and a good friend and fellow member of our club. Rest in Peace and may the Guinness in heaven be every bit as good as it is in Dublin.
John Leahy
