The Challenge is open to eligible cruising, competitive cruiser/racer and racing yachts. The yachts will have a free berth at the start in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, in conjunction with a celebration of Sail & Irish Culture, as guests of the City of Baltimore and Ocean Race Chesapeake. The Mayor of Baltimore will host a reception for captains, crews, sponsors, business leaders, the Irish Ambassador to the US and the diplomatic corps. The start will be off Ft. McHenry National Momument and Historic Shrine (home of the Star Spangled Banner).

At the finish in Baltimore's harbor, the fleet will be welcomed as guests by the towns of Baltimore and Schull in southwest Ireland where the prize-giving will take place.

Between the finish and Cork Week, a biennial international sailing event, entrants can cruise the Irish coast as guests of Ireland. A Dublin Bucket will be organized for fleet participants and local yachts.

"We are building an event for 2006 that will promote ocean racing and off shore cruising for those wintering in the Caribbean and wishing to join a fleet on their return to Europe as well as those interested in the challenge of an Atlantic crossing" indicated Jim Muldoon, Co-Chair of the St. Brendan's Cup Committee.