As we take time out to settle indoors and spend some quality time with our family friends, we in Irish Sailing would like to thank all our clubs, centres, members, and volunteers for sharing their passion of sailing with so many disadvantaged groups and individuals throughout the country during the past year.
Your kindness coupled with funding from the Sport Ireland Dormant Account Funding programme saw hundreds of people access the sport of sailing through many and varied initiatives. These included Get Out Sailing introduction sessions for people from the LGBT Community in Galway and Wicklow to our Sailing for All programme for children on the autism spectrum in Dublin and Clare, to our Safehaven initiative for children living in direct provision centre in Sligo and Cork.
The Watersports Inclusion Games in June was the biggest event ever with over 600 participants enjoying 10 various watersports and even some tennis facilitated by the wonderful Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club. It was lovely to see the lift going upstairs and the extension to the marina with the new hoist put in place as part of the legacy to ensure everyone can access the club and water all year round now.
Another lovely legacy was the kind donation from Lords Taverners Trust Ireland donating the first fully accessible Hansa 303 sailing boat (Pic attached) with remote control system to facilitate those with challenging mobility to sail independently. We look forward to Ramor Watersports Club in Virginia, County Cavan hosting event 22nd and 23rd June and everyone is welcome to attend.
With over 17 clubs benefitting from the Disability Club Fund, we have seen clubs purchasing new kayaks, sups, engines, training and specialised equipment to help people with disabilities to experience in sailing and powerboating. In 2024 we plan on developing this initiative to encourage people to build on their new skills and try competition or support racing by joining in the President’s Cup. This is event is open to everyone with a disability from across the country where you represent your province and there are various boats available to race in.
And finally, the newest initiative from Sport Ireland was the establishment of 4 NGB Sport Hubs led by Badminton Irl, Cricket Irl, Athletics Irl and Irish Sailing setting up the first Outdoor Community Watersports Hub in Carna Connemara County Galway. The volunteer led group established Club Mara Chonamara Láir and after its first year has 116 members, running fully inclusive courses, camps and events in sailing, powerboating, windsurfing, canoeing, and supping throughout the year. The acquisition of a traditional Galway Hooker “An Naomh Ciarán” (See Picture) a Gleoteog Mór has allowed everyone in the community to enjoy sailing sessions and compete in regattas in these beautiful local traditional vessels and all ran through the Irish language.
So, thanks again to one and all for their help, support, and enthusiasm, enjoy the down time and we can’t wait to share more wonderful new inclusive events with everyone next year.
For anyone interested in becoming more involved in any of these programmes or would like some support to develop their own ideas please contact our EDI officer at;
ciaran.murphy@sailing.ie or
087 8800744.
Thank you