Entries are now open! Full details, entry and other fees along with what’s happening, will be published alongside the Notice of Race. Competitors are encouraged to enter early to assist with planning and are advised to secure their accommodation during this busy period. Supporters and Volunteers are encouraged to complete the registration form too for organisation of numbers expected to attend and dinner reservations for the Championship Dinner on Saturday night.

From Dublin (Recommended Route)

• Leave Dublin on the M3 via the M50 Blanchardstown exit.

• Follow the M3/N3 through Navan, Kells, Virginia, Cavan, Butlersbridge, and Belturbet.

• After Belturbet, cross the border into Northern Ireland, where the road becomes the A509.

• Continue through Derrylin and Ballinamallard until you reach the junction with the A4. Turn right towards Enniskillen.

• Follow the A4 into Enniskillen. The town has a one-way traffic system—follow signs for the A32 (Omagh).

• Approximately 3 miles (5 km) outside Enniskillen, take the left fork onto the A47. There is a filling station and convenience store at this junction.

• Continue past St Angelo Airport (on your left) and a large timber yard (on your right). The road becomes the A47/B82.

• After approximately 3 miles (5 km), look for a small sign for Lough Erne Yacht Club on the left.

• If you reach the Manor House Country Hotel, you have passed the club entrance by approximately 300 metres.

• The entrance to the club is narrow, so please slow down and watch for oncoming traffic.

Alternative Route from Dublin

• Leave Dublin on the M1 northbound.

• Near Dundalk, take the N53 towards Castleblayney.

• Join the N2 and continue towards Monaghan.

• Cross the border at Aughnacloy, where the road becomes the A5.

• At the junction with the A4, follow signs for Enniskillen.

• Once in Enniskillen, follow signs for the A32 (Omagh), then follow the directions above from the A47 junction.

Lough Erne Yacht Club is a proven championship venue, offering excellent racing conditions and outstanding hospitality. The sailing area provides sheltered water with reliable breeze, making it ideal for close, fair and consistent IDRA 14 racing across the full wind range.

Ashore, the club is compact, friendly, and perfectly set up for a championship week. Easy launching, secure boat parking, and a welcoming clubhouse that naturally becomes the social hub each evening. Everything is close, simple, and sailor focused, which is exactly what makes this venue so popular with visiting fleets.

Provisional – subject to final Notice of Race. Four days of racing, socials, and fleet time with plenty of opportunities to tune, learn, and catch up. Please monitor the official notice board and the event WhatsApp group for updates or schedule changes.

Whether you’re arriving with a fully loaded boat and road trailer or travelling light, there are plenty of convenient accommodation options both on-site or close to the club, and all within a short drive.

On-site camping will be available on a grass area beside the club, suitable for tents. As well as this grass area there is plenty of paved area for caravans, and camper vans. This will be the heart of the event atmosphere and is the best way to stay fully immersed in Nationals 2026. Close to the boats, the bar, and the post racing stories. It’s relaxed, social, and ideal for competitors who want to be right at the centre of the action all week. 

Spaces in the camping epicentre here are limited, so early arrival is always recommended. There is an alternative area for tents too if this suits you better.

Camping fees are to be paid in cash and are Stg £15 for a tent and Stg £30 for a camper of caravan. This fee includes electricity and covers the entire event. 

For those who prefer a roof over their heads, there is a range of off-site accommodation nearby, from self-catering cottages to welcoming B&Bs and hotels. All are easily accessible and well used by visiting sailors. Full details can be found on the usual booking websites. 

Competitors are strongly advised to book accommodation early as availability in the area may be limited during the event period.

A few nearby options to get you started are listed below (driving times are approximate):

Manor Cottages – 4 min drive

Manor House Country Hotel – 4 min drive

Old Schoolhouse B&B – 5 min drive

Rossclare Lodge B&B – 5 min drive

Ballycassidy Retreat – 6 min drive

Inishclare Cottages – 6 min drive

Longfields Lodge B&B – 6 min drive

The Old School – 6 min drive

Shirley Bradshaw Accommodation – 7 min drive

With everything so close to the venue, you can enjoy easy mornings and relaxed evenings with the fleet.

To properly mark the 80th anniversary of the IDRA 14, a full social programme will run throughout the event, making this Nationals as memorable ashore as it is on the water.

Planned highlights include;

A welcome evening

Relaxed post-race socials

A special class social organised by our youth category sailors

Championship dinner and prizegiving

There will be plenty of time for fleet chat, tuning debates, storytelling, and celebrating the history and future of the IDRA 14.

Staying on site means you won’t miss a thing. The best conversations and memories often happen after sailing, sometimes well into the evening. To help bring everyone together, the club has kindly made extra fridges and BBQs available and will be providing charcoal throughout the championship, making it easy for competitors, families and supporters to cook, relax and enjoy each evening together.

Have an idea for the socials? Tell us, if it works, we’ll try to make it happen.

Families and supporters are always very welcome throughout the event. The camping area or nearby self-catering accommodation make it easy to turn the Nationals into a full family trip, while the social programme, club facilities and social programme ensure there’s plenty happening both on and off the water.

For those supporters who are not sailing there are some ammenitites near by the club which could be of interest. Examples include Devenish Island Monastic Site, the Marble Arch Caves, National Trust - Castle Coole, Tully Castle, Pollnagollum Cave, Enniskillen Castle or Castle Archdale Country Park.