CHAPTER III
IRISH CLUBS
THE ROYAL CORK YACHT CLUB
By R. T. Pritchett
The ancestral origin of this club, which has its station at Queenstown, was the Water Club of the Harbour of Cork, established in 1720. It is therefore the doyen par excellence, and its rules and orders as carried out in its early days are original and entertaining. A few of the rules may be quoted:
I. Ordered that the Water Club be held once every spring tide, from the first spring tide in April to the last in September inclusive.
II. That no Admiral do bring more than two dishes of meat for the entertainment of the club.
III. Resolved that no Admiral presume to bring more than two dozen of wine to his treat, for it has always been deemed a breach of the ancient rules and constitutions of the club, except when my Lords the Judges are invited.
V. Ordered that the Secretary do prepare an Union flag, with the Royal Irish harp and crown on a green field in the centre.
Ordered that the Water Club flag be hoisted on club days early in the morning on the Castle of Haulbowline.
IX. Ordered that no long tail wigs, large sleeves or ruffles be worn by any member at the club.
Ordered that when any of the fleet join the Admiral, if they have not guns to salute they are to give three cheers, which are to be returned by the Admiral, and one cheer to be returned by the Captain so saluting.