Nicholas “Nin” O’Leary’s stewardship of Doyle Sails Ireland ensures the brand’s strong presence and support for Irish sailors both locally and internationally. The recent expansion to open Doyle loft locations in Cork and Dublin outlines a significant commitment to providing top-tier expertise and services to local sailors.
With Nin O’Leary at the helm and back up with over 30 years sail making experience with David Kelly and Cleo Watkin, Doyle Sails is positioned to enhance its offerings and support to the sailing community across the entire Island of Ireland. The new loft facilities not only demonstrate a dedication to the local sailing communities but also highlight a commitment to fostering the strong sailing culture in Ireland.
Under Nin’s guidance, Doyle Sails Ireland combines local knowledge, a passion for sailing, and professional expertise to provide sailors with the support they need for their sailing adventures and racing endeavours.
Nin’s extensive sailing background, from racing keelboats locally winning the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race with “Nieulargo” to further afield both inshore and offshore racing, to most recently a Maxi Worlds Champion aboard the 100ft Wally Cento “Galateia” in 2023 brings invaluable first-hand experience and knowledge of Doyle Sails, our technology, design and advancements in sails. His involvement from small boat campaigns to Grand Prix, Maxi and Superyacht racing demonstrate his depth of knowledge and the understanding of the brand’s capabilities and his ability to truly live the brand’s ethos ‘by sailors, for sailors’.
David Kelly has honed his passion for sail making over the past decade working with various sailmakers across the industry and joined the Doyle Sails Solent Loft over two years ago. David not only races Grand Prix boats such as the Cape 31’s, he is the skilled hands that produce the class sails in addition to RC44, 1720’s and the odd half tonner suit of sails. Having won the Half Ton Cup aboard “King One” in 2022 which was entirely powered by Doyle Sails, David has first hand experience of building and winning with Doyle Sails.
Cleo Watkin joins Doyle Sails after a short (well earned) break from the industry in which she has learnt her trade under the salmon of knowledge to sail making Des McWilliam. Cleo has close to 30 years in the sail making industry and brings a wealth of experience and time in the sail making, repair and service side within Ireland. Many moons ago, Nin spent his schools week of work experience with Des and Cleo in the Crosshaven loft and still has fond memories of working alongside them both.
“Doyle Sails Ireland are excited to bring the World Class brand of Doyle Sails to the Irish market, coupled with the ability to service the length and breath of the country from both bases.” said O’Leary” A combined loft floor area of 400 square meters is the largest sail loft in the country and is ready to handle the largest of sails to come to Irish shore.”
ABOUT DOYLE SAILS IRELAND // Learn more here.
ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // As sailors, our obsession with sailing connects us to the water. The water is our playground, a sanctuary where we seek enjoyment, a competitive playing field where we race; it’s sometimes our home and always a place that unlocks our sense of adventure wherever that adventure might take us.
Our obsession with sailing takes us to every corner of the world and onboard every yacht. We become part of teams, share in the adventures of friends and families, sharing our knowledge and experience with those who have the same passion for sailing as we do. Sailing is in our DNA, where the water unlocks our sense of adventure. We are the custodians of a legacy that has been supporting sailors for close to four decades, and while our world changes around us, our commitment to sailors who seek the same enjoyment and adventure as we do hasn’t.