Connemara Outdoor Community Sports Hub Celebrates Third Year
Irish Sailing’s Connemara Outdoor Community Sports Hub in Carna is closing out its third year on a high, following a dynamic and successful 2025 packed with youth training, summer camps, adult courses, and community engagement along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Youth and Education
The season began in March with a three-day sailing weekend in partnership with ATU Mayo’s Sailing Club, followed by a second weekend in April. Students also enjoyed a maritime Heritage Day, sailing traditional boats and visiting Macdara Island aboard currachs and the Hub’s Galway hooker.
Collaboration with the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) brought the Connemara Adventure Programme (CAP) to the Hub, offering sailing and powerboating training while supporting local volunteers in renewing qualifications. Two former TY participants from ScoilPhobail Mhic Dara progressed to become Assistant Instructors, a milestone in the Hub’s mission to develop young leaders. GRETB has since signed an MOU to continue using the Hub for the next two academic years.
The Hub also ran a six-week Introduction to Sailing programme with Transition Year students from ScoilPhobail Mhic Dara, culminating in a sailing, kayaking, and camping expedition to Mason Island for their Gaisce Award. Several students gained Powerboat Level 2 certification and assisted at summer camps as trainee instructors. Engagement with local schools continued, with 6th class pupils enjoying their annual watersports tour and incoming first years participating in a full-day induction session.
Summer Camps and Activities
Camps kicked off with a successful Easter programme and ran weekly from July to mid-August. Over eight weeks, children aged 5–16 took part in sailing, kayaking, SUP, windsurfing, and currach rowing. Two weeks were tailored for younger children, while two sailing-specific camps were delivered alongside multisport weeks.
The Hub placed strong emphasis on inclusion, welcoming children with autism and additional needs. Families partnered with the Sailing for All platform to guide future inclusive sail training, set to continue into 2025. While demand dipped in July, August camps reached capacity, prompting waiting lists. The Hub also expanded its reach with a camp in Cashel, held during the Coming Together Festival.
The camps were led by a skilled team including Senior Instructor Oisín O’Brien, instructors Áine and Sana (graduates of the Connemara Adventure Programme), and two assistant instructors who had progressed from TY students to teaching roles.
Adult and Community Programmes
The Hub also delivered a wide range of adult courses, including dinghy sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, rowing, powerboating, and women’s sea swimming. Evening and weekend sessions proved popular, especially kayaking trips to nearby islands. Winter programmes shifted toward skills training, with powerboating, navigation, and VHF radio courses run in partnership with GRETB and Serious Sailing Training School.
As part of the national Her Outdoors programme with Galway Sports Partnership, the Hub introduced newcomers to sailing in the Hawk 20 keelboat. The initiative will return in 2025.
The Hub also supported major community events, from providing boats for the Watersports Inclusion Games, to opening its clubhouse for the St. Mac Dara’s Festival. A partnership with Forum Connemara and FCL Teo saw local defibrillators upgraded and a Community First Responder Training Programme launched.
Galway Hooker – Naomh Ciarán
The Hub’s Galway Hooker, Naomh Ciarán, had a busy summer, attending five regattas and providing Irish-language sail training to students from SPMD and NUIG. After reviewing its first two years, the executive committee decided to focus more heavily on sail training in 2026, limiting regatta attendance to local events for better accessibility. The boat will undergo maintenance this winter, carried out by club members.
Looking Ahead
Organiser Malcolm Scott praised the dedication of volunteers, instructors, and the wider community, noting the Hub’s growing reputation as a hub of outdoor sport, training, and cultural heritage in Connemara. With strong youth engagement, inclusive programming, and new partnerships secured, the Hub is well positioned to continue its growth into 2026.