Saturday 6th September 2025 marked the occasion of the CAI Three Bridges Rally – the Association’s flagship annual event. Celebrating its 16th edition, the event has run annually since 2010.
The event sees boats gather at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club and transit the Tom Clarke (East Link) bridge as a group – opened sharply at 2:30pm. The fleet then parades up and down the River Liffey, through the Samuel Becket and Sean O’Casey bridges, before berthing overnight alongside the Liffey Pontoon on the North side of the river, next to the 3Arena, and enjoying a three-course dinner nearby.
The 2025 event in review
As can happen in Ireland, the weather conditions tested the resilience of both the organisers and participants! Following a detailed assessment in the preceding days it was decided that conditions – though lively – were acceptable for the event to go ahead as planned on Saturday 5th, while keeping a careful eye on poorer conditions for Sunday 6th and Monday 7th for crews making return journeys to their home ports.
While some crews did decide to cancel, a weather window on the Sunday afternoon saw winds easing off and shifting to a more favourable direction, allowing boats to return to their home ports, and a dedicated 3pm opening of the East Link bridge was arranged to facilitate this.
The 2025 event saw a fleet of 27 boats take part, spanning all shapes and sizes, from 25 to 47 feet. With a prize for the best dressed boat, many of the fleet were dressed overall with flags, offering a magnificent display for onlookers on both sides of the river Liffey.
Despite a technical problem preventing the Samuel Becket bridge from opening, the parade continued with all boats in formation completing multiple laps of the river between the Tom Clarke and Samuel Becket bridges. Two berthing masters then carefully coordinated the fleet berthing on the Liffey Pontoon – rafted up to three deep.
The crews then gathered for a reception at the new Docklands Watersports Centre, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who had taken part in the event aboard one of the yachts. A dinner and drinks at the Gibson hotel followed to conclude the day – with stories shared and music played. This year’s event also hosted a book launch, with CAI member John Leahy publishing his new book “Weather-Wise” dedicated to serving sailors in Irish waters! Each skipper was presented with a complimentary copy, and a raffle was also held in aid of the RNLI.
On Sunday morning a delegation visited the Peruvian Navy sail training ship BAP Union, berthed in Dublin Port, while waiting for the weather to turn more favourable to make the return journey to their home ports.
The CAI is grateful to Dublin Port, Dublin City Council, the Docklands Watersports Centre, the Lord Mayor’s office, the Gibson Hotel, the Peruvian Ambassador, and all those who help make this event possible each year.
Looking forward to 2026
The next Three Bridges Rally will be on Saturday 5th September 2026. Cruising sailors: mark the date in your diaries!