Two Class B Tall Ships will arrive in Dublin Port today as part of a "Gathering Ireland 2013" project organised by Sail Training Ireland and their Liverpool Based partner "Merseyside Adventure Sailing Trust". The first ship, Irene of Bridgewater, sailed in last night and anchored in Scotsman's Bay just as the Queen Mary 2 departed.
The ships are being hosted by Poolbeg Marina and tomorrow morning at 11.00am an Irish-Coffee reception is organised on board. If you are interested in Tall Ships or perhaps a future voyage, this is your chance to come along and see the ships first hand.
Irene is a West Country Trading Ketch, built in 1907 by FJ Carver and Sons.Owned by the same family since 1965, Irene has sailed extensively around the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and UK waters. Following a complete rebuild lasting six years, Irene is now earning her keep as both a sail training vessel and a sustainable cargo business. She also attends many of the major sailing events on the annual regatta and festival calendar.
The project entitled "Sail Home To Your Roots" involves two ships and 16 novice-sailors aged from 16 to 70 years from the UK. Some of the participants are of Irish descent and sail here to celebrate their Irish roots.
The ships will arrive at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club between 2 and 3pm today. Tomorrow morning, Councillor Paddy Bourke of Dublin City Council will officially welcome the crews to Dublin. Cllr. Bourke will be representing The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Naoise O Múirí who is Admiral of Dublin Port and a very strong supporter of Sail Training Ireland's activities.
This event is a pre-cursor to a larger event on the June bank holiday weekend where these two ships will be joined by 2 larger Class A Tall Ships and another Class B to take part in the Dublin Port River Festival being organised by Dublin Port Company.
