HYC has stood on the shore of Belfast Lough for over 160 Years. In that time, a deep rich history has developed which for many years has been left hidden away in old books, photos in the hallways and stories. This page will soon delve into the history of our beloved club and shed light on its journey throughout the last 2 centuries. From the birth of the Sharpies, to the pier fire in the 1900’s, there is plenty to uncover and rediscover.
This page continues to update as more accurate information and new stories are found. Please contact us if you have any interesting facts or knowledge about our club or the local area, we would love to hear from you! We believe it is important to celebrate the rich history of the club alive so that future generations can learn what came before them!
This photo from 1882 shows the original Holywood Pier which was located at the railway tunnel entrance to the Kinnegar. The date which the pier was built is unknown but it could be as far back as 1862. It allowed access to boats located on the moorings and was frequently used during regatta days. However, tragedy struck when what is believed to be a rouge firework flew onto the pier and set it alight. The pier was completely destroyed by fire and was never rebuilt. To this day at low tide, you can see the remains of the wooden beams sticking out of the mud heading out into the lough.
The Holywood 16 Foot One Design Sharpie Class
Click on the title to learn about the History of HYC’s own class, the Sharpie. This article is written by Charlie Reid and follows the story of the Sharpie from its initial drawings by Mr F W Steen and Mr N McArthur in 1929.
Holywood Sharpies racing off the Esplanade – 1930s
Although smaller in length to its former counterpart, the current pier which is located right at the yacht club has still stands. The year in which it was built is still up to debate but the current estimate is somewhere between 1930 and 1950. Throughout the decades, the pier has been heavily damaged by strong waves and violent storms but has always been lovingly maintained and repaired. The club use the pier often, temporarily mooring boats and bringing sailors to and from the shore. However, the pier does have a photogenic appeal, with photographers frequently traveling to the Kinnegar to snap a photo during golden sunsets, including the odd wedding photo! It even had a cameo appearance in an campaign advert during the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
