The historic Irish ketch, Ilen, has docked at Westport, County Mayo to deliver a unique addiction recovery programme. The boat, which was built in the 1920s and underwent a full restoration in 2018, is now part of the award-winning charity Sailing Into Wellness.
The AK Ilen was designed by Conor O'Brien, who had previously circumnavigated the globe aboard another boat he designed, the Saoirse. O'Brien's seagoing experiences were put to use in his design of the Ilen, which was built for the Falkland Islands and launched in 1926. Under O'Brien's command, the Ilen plied the waters doing inter-island trade for many years.
Since her restoration in 2018, the AK Ilen has been part of Sailing Into Wellness, a charity that uses the unique setting of the sea to empower individuals to overcome challenges, increase coping mechanisms, and build a positive sense of self and community. The charity offers programmes for people with mental health and addiction challenges, intellectual and physical disabilities.
James Lyons, General Manager and Co-founder of Sailing Into Wellness explained that the AK Ilen came to Westport to deliver a new addiction recovery programme. The programme combines adventure therapy, sailing, and psychotherapy, and after a week onboard the AK Ilen, participants will spend the weekend on Achill Island in a therapy setting. Following this, the charity will be joined by Safehaven, an organisation that works primarily with young people in direct provision, for a three-day voyage from Achill to Galway City.
The AK Ilen has a rich history and is an important part of Irish maritime heritage. The boat's arrival in Westport is a significant event and highlights the importance of innovative approaches to addiction recovery and mental health treatment.