The Skipper

Retired: 10 November 2022 – windvane breakage
Pat retired west of Cape Town after a key part in his self-steering system failed. Without it, solo sailing became unsafe — ending his 2022 Golden Globe Race. He now plans to return in 2026, sailing to raise funds for Parkinson’s Ireland. Still determined, he’s aiming to become the first Irishman to complete the race.

Atlantic Fisherman, Furniture Maker, Solo Sailor

I grew up in a loving Limerick family and trained as a furniture maker in my father’s business. On the river Shannon I sailed dinghies, keel boats and then many more miles with Sail-Training Ireland at sea. I am 43 years married to the lovely Rita Geoghegan, and we have four fabulous children and two mighty grandchildren. During my involvement in GGR we are fund raising and raising awareness for Parkinson’s Ireland. A few months before the start of the GGR 2022 my wife Rita was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

We live in Ballyferriter Co Kerry, “The Kingdom”. It is the most westerly village in Europe. I spent more than 20 years as a full time fisherman off the west coast of Ireland, and I have experienced some wild weather out there in my time. 

The GGR 2026 will be my second campaign in the Golden Globe Race. The Aries self-steering will be used again and a second Aires unit on board as a spare. After GGR22 there are some modifications to make on the Saltram Saga 36. A slight change to the rigging, remove the fire, new sails, this time make sure the weather fax is working properly, etc. 

Pat has chosen fundraise for Parkinson’s Ireland in his wife Rita’s name. All funds raised here will go directly to this great cause: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/patlawless1

Why the GGR?

Since I first heard about the 50th anniversary in 2018, I slipped down that GGR “rabbit hole” and I’m thinking day and night about the race.

In 1996, my father at the age of 70, was the first Irishman to do a solo circumnavigation of the globe. I was on his support committee and the whole experience made a big impression on me.

I was sailing well in ’22 when my self-steering started to give trouble 1200nm west of Cape Town. I sailed in using sheet to tiller and I decided to retire. I have have unfinished business in the Golden Globe Race.

Best and Worst Aspects

The best, will be to finish well (I’m competitive and want to race around).

The worst, will be not to finish.

The Boat

Pat has selected the Saltram Saga 36 for his boat, similar to ‘Suhaili’ but four feet longer. Alan Pape designed her as a development, from the Colin Archer ‘Redningskoite’ sailing lifeboat hull. For many years they have been regarded as being amongst the most sea worthy around , but are substantially faster than the original. She will come into her own in the Southern Ocean, able to hold on to working sail in strong winds, without heeling more than 20deg, while in soft weather, she can sail so well because of her wet area. Pat also said ‘It is good that his boat has a quarter-berth, galley and heads aft, useful in bad weather as a wet area’.

Website: https://www.patlawless.irish/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatGGR/

Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/patlawless_solosailor/