We have evidence in the Archives that Lough Derg Yacht Club was formed in 1835, making it one of the oldest in this country. The first Annual Regatta was held the following year, and we have programmes of most such events held since then. The Club was based in Dromineer Bay, and for many years racing was conducted from Kilteelah Quay. There were no racing dinghies as we know them at that time, and all the vessels involved were fairly substantial yachts belonging to many of the landowners around Lough Derg. All communications were by flags, and competition was keen.
Towards the end of the 19th Century people started experimenting with smaller sailing boats, but it was 1920 before there were any big changes. That year saw the emergence of the Shannon One Design 18’ open dinghy (with one sail and three crew members), which proved to be a successful racing dinghy, and is still a very competitive all timber class today. A local fishing club initiated the other important change by inviting L. D. Y. C. to share their Clubhouse. They also amalgamated with our Club. We have remained on the same premises ever since, and the Club still has a strong fishing element.
After a six-year gap (due to the ‘Emergency’) racing started again in 
1946 and there were many new faces. Dinghy Week was held there in 1950, but the main events have always been the week long Regattas held in both Loughs Ree and Derg during the month of August. Junior Sailing Courses began to take off in the 1970s and Membership numbers increased. Urgent repairs to the old Clubhouse were needed in the 1980s and the Club started hosting more outside events as well as members travelling all over the country to other championships.
By the year 2000 the facilities in the old Clubhouse were becoming inadequate, so plans were drawn up, finance was put in place and the decision was made at an E. G. M. to demolish the old building and erect a new more efficient one on the same site. Members really enjoyed doing a great deal of the work involved. There was a great team spirit, and it helped to keep the cost realistic. The result is what you see today.
L. D. Y. C. has also managed to acquire more land over the years, so there is room for tents, caravans and some boat storage as well. We feel our dinghy sailing facilities are second to none in this country. I am reliably informed that at one large event (probably a National or European Championship) 120 small racing boats were launched in 30 minutes! Also the racing area is never far from shore, so time is not wasted just getting there, and more races can be fitted in each day if necessary.
We run a comprehensive programme of School Sailing for all local schools that wish to participate. It runs during term time from April to the end of October – weather permitting – and costs very little. This means that children can be introduced to sailing without having to buy a boat and all the gear. The July Sailing Courses continue to thrive, and participants learn in a variety of dinghies, including Optimists, Mirrors, Pickos, a range of Lasers and others. Many of our young people have graduated into Shannon One Designs, and quite a few now own one. This gives us great hope for the future of this now classic timber class and, of course, Lough Derg Yacht Club itself.