Ireland competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.

Men's Single Sculls Ireland contested the Finn, Flying Dutchman, Tempest and Dragon class sailing events.

[2] The highest finishers were David Wilkins and Sean Whitaker, who ranked 8th in the Tempest event.

[3] The Dragon event, in which Ireland ranked 16th, was contested by a crew that included Robin Hennessy, Treen Morris, Harry Byrne and Joe McMenamin.

[4] MacMenamin, who was "six weeks shy of his 60th birthday" at the time, was Ireland's oldest Olympic athlete.