[3] 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.

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.

During the early nineteenth century, it transferred to Cove, subsequently named Queenstown, now Cobh.

Prince Ferdinand was the founder of the Imperial Austrian Navy and a brother of Emperor Franz Joseph.

The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) attended several RCYC regattas, sailing his famous yacht Britannia.