Sailing Charity Calls for Council Support As Tall Ship Arrives in Newry's Albert Basin

15th May 2019

The 1884 built traditional wooden sailing ship Silvery Light is undergoing restoration in Newry, County Down. AFLOAT adds the ketch is the only remaining traditional sailing vessel of its size in Northern Ireland in addition is registered on the UK National Historic Ships Register as a ship of historic maritime importance. Credit: Silvery Light Project -twitter

#historicboats - Chairman of Silvery Lights Sailing, Gerry Brennan, has called on the Newry, Mourne & Down District Council to support the need for city's maritime heritage to be recognised.

According to the Newry Reporter, the charity’s mission is to restore Silvery Light - a 100ft heritage tall ship, which was built in Cornwall in 1884 and has been lying in disrepair at Newry Quays for many years.

A group of Trustees are currently managing the project and hoping to secure funding for £750,000 to completely restore the former fishing vessel to its former glory.

The charity has already secured a grant of £10,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Resilience Fund to commission a Project Business Plan and Strategy but it now seeks further funding through investors.

Mr Brennan voiced his disappointment at the Council’s lack of support for the charity. To read his comments and more on the ketch project click here.

Published in Historic Boats

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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