#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.