Four bursary places are being offered to young people to race aboard the Clipper 70 yacht Spirit of Shackleton in next month’s Round Ireland Yacht Race.
The initiative is backed by the Atlantic Youth Trust and led by skipper Enda O'Coineen, who will helm the yacht in the 704-nautical-mile offshore race around Ireland.
Spriit of Shackleton was recently launched in Dun Laoghaire by President Connolly.
The bursaries are aimed primarily at people aged 18 to 25, although applicants up to 30 years old will also be considered. Organisers say sailing experience is welcome but not essential.
Bay Debut — Spirit of Shackleton on her maiden sail on Dublin Bay ahead of the Round Ireland Yacht Race campaign.
The package, valued at more than €2,500, includes a three-day training voyage in early June, race entry, food, wet-weather gear and safety equipment. Participants must arrange their own travel to Dún Laoghaire for training and race assembly.
The Atlantic Youth Trust says the scheme is designed to attract young people “from all walks of life” who demonstrate “energy, grit, positivity, teamwork, curiosity and a willingness to learn under pressure”.
Applicants will initially apply online before shortlisted candidates are invited to a training and assessment weekend in Dún Laoghaire from 5–7 June. Final selection will see two young men and two young women join the crew for the race start on 20 June.
Island Circuit — The 704-nautical-mile Round Ireland Yacht Race course takes crews around the entire Irish coastline from Wicklow and back
The Round Ireland Race is regarded as one of Europe’s toughest offshore challenges and also serves as a qualifying race for the Royal Ocean Racing Club programme.
Applications close at 1300 on Tuesday, 2 June.
Further details and applications are available via the Atlantic Shackleton Global Foundation bursary link.
