Belfast News-Letter, 16 July 1906 
Cooper family 
1980s, Credit to Penny Stewart 
The Cooper family were instrumental in helping to reform the LEYC by gathering up the boats of the Fairy Class. Belfast News-Letter, 24 October 1949 
Credit to John Taylor
‘Iris’ was the 6th Fairy if the EYC boats to be built in 1906. She was allocated the sail No.7. Her first owner was the renowned and respected, Colonel J.M.A Richardson who owned the boat along with his family until the end of the Second World War. From here, the boats’ connection to the Cooper family begins with the boats purchase in the late 40s by Walter Cooper, who was chiefly responsible for gathering up the Fairies for the newly reformed LEYC in 1949. Iris, much like her sister ‘Storm’ was one of the most dedicated boats of the fleet, almost always answering the gun right up until the 1990s. The Coopers owned the boat for over 70 years before parting ways with her to hopefully facilitate a restoration of the boat as she has been out of the water for over 30 years. ‘Iris’ has been based on Lough Erne for over 114 years.
| Date | Owners/Sailors |
| 1906 | Colonel J.M.A Richardson |
| 1940-48 | Ownership uncertain |
| 1949 | Walter Cooper |
| 1987 | Alan Cooper |
| 2020-Current | Jonny Williamson |
Fairy Class Yacht Association 