This Friday (August 14) Seascapes reports from a port steeped in maritime history – Belfast, where the Tall Ships’ Atlantic Challenge Race has arrived. As well as talking to those sailing the tall ships, Tom MacSweeney will discuss the economic value of the race to the port, and discussion on other aspects of the Belfast maritime sphere.
Contrasting with this positive Northern Ireland approach to Tall Ships, Seascapes will be asking if the Department of Defence is determined to axe the national sail training programme in the Republic of Ireland. Though having given a public commitment that the insurance compensation money for the loss of the national training vessel, ASGARD, would not be put to any use other than to build a new training vessel, there are now indications that this may not be honoured. SEASCAPES will be asking if the Minister for Defence and the Department will honour the public commitment already given.
And don't forget: The Seascapes book has been published by Mercier Press to mark 1,000 editions of the programme.
Seascapes, presented by RTE's Marine Correspondent Tom MacSweeney and produced by Marcus Connaughton, is broadcast at 10.30pm each Friday night and repeated at 5.02am on Monday mornings on RTE Radio 1. The programme is also available as a podcast and is broadcast twice a week on the digital station, RTE Choice, on Wednesday mornings at 7.30am and Saturday lunchtimes at 12.30pm.
24-hour recording line 1850 715 170, Email: [email protected] Maritime Desk 021 480 5828
