With just one stopover outside France, we are delighted that the organisers have chosen Dún Laoghaire Harbour, Ireland, as their destination of choice. The boats will be moored in Dún Laoghaire Harbour at the end of the second leg, where the race will be hosted by the National Yacht Club.

Renowned for its warm welcome, Dún Laoghaire Harbour and the town will see thousands of visitors during the event. Dún Laoghaire is within walking distance of the Harbour and visitors will have the opportunity to discover all of the amenities a historic Victorian and modern vibrant town has to offer. Visitors can sample the Irish pub experience, with music, ‘craic’, a pint of the famous Guinness or an Irish Coffee and can also savour the delights of our many award-winning restaurants.

Dun Laoghaire has a short direct and regular train and bus service to the centre of Dublin City.

To mark this momentous occasion, we are planning a host of celebrations, including events based around the Harbour, and everyone is invited to join in the festivities. These will include an opening ceremony with Fireworks from the East Pier, a festival market, street entertainment and live music throughout the festival weekend

The Solitaire du Figaro 2011 guarantees to be one of the season’s greatest sports events and visitors to Dun Laoghaire can expect as much action off the water as there will be on the water!

The National Yacht Club (NYC) has been in operation for well over a century, with the present clubhouse erected in 1870. The Club is very active in yacht racing at both International and National levels. It hosts many World Championship events and will co-host the ISAF Youth Worlds in 2012 with the neighbouring Royal St. George Yacht Club and the Royal Irish Yacht Club. Through its relationship with the Irish Sea Offshore racing Association (ISORA), it is the primary yacht club in Ireland promoting offshore yacht racing. Its present Commodore is Paul Barrington. See www.nyc.ie

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is a local authority catering for a population of approximately 192,000, with the head office located in Dún Laoghaire. Twenty eight members serve on the Council. The political head of the Council is the Lord Mayor (Cathaoirleach), Cllr Lettie McCarthy. See www.dlrcoco.ie

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is delighted to welcome this event to this historic 200 year old man-made harbour, which is recognised internationally as one of the most beautiful Harbours in the world. The company has just completed a master plan, which includes exciting plans for the further development of the harbour as a significant location for cruise liner tourism, major sailing events and cultural tourism. “La Solitaire du Figaro” is a perfect fit for our vision of Dun Laoghaire as a world class marine, leisure and tourism destination. The Chairman is Mr. Sean Costello. See www.dlharbour.ie/lasolitaire