On returning to
England from exile, King Charles II developed an interest in sailing on the
Thames, and his courtiers (including the 1st Earl of Inchiquin) subsequently followed his example. Upon the Earl's return to
Cork, recreational sailing commenced. Some years later, the 1st Earl of Inchiquin's great-grandson, 26-year-old William O'Brien, and five of his friends formalised their activities and in so doing established
The Water Club of the Harbour of Cork in 1720. This body became inactive in 1765 and was re-established in 1802. By 1806, it was known as the
Cork Harbour Water Club. During the 1820s, it changed its name to the
Cork Harbour Yacht Club. Later in that decade, it dropped the word "Harbour" and became the
Cork Yacht Club. In 1831, the club received the privilege of using the "Royal" prefix from
King William IV and became the
Royal Cork Yacht Club. In 1966, it merged with the Royal Munster Yacht Club, In 1872, the Munster Model Yacht Club was founded as a Corinthian Yacht Club to provide for amateur racing rather than racing for wagers on yachts of wealthy owners with paid hands. It eventually received a royal charter and became known as the Royal Munster Yacht Club. It settled in the clubhouse of the Cork Harbour Motor Yacht Club at Crosshaven during the 1930s. The Royal Munster Yacht Club merged with the Royal Cork Yacht Club in 1966. ==Regattas==