Displaying items by tag: Aer Arann

10th June 2018

Increased Turbulence Over Aran Islands Air Route

Aerial shot over Aran Islands with shadow of aircraft

#IslandNews - "It’s like Groundhog Day"… reports RTE News as residents on the Aran Islands could be forgiven a touch of dark humour this week, after it emerged that the contract to operate daily flights to and from the mainland was being terminated.

In a dispute over the terms of its four-year contract with the Government, Aer Arann served notice that it will end the deal in early December.

It is not the first time that the air link between the islands and Conamara has been the subject of discussion. In fact, in recent years, it has almost become an annual occurrence.

Air and ferry travel to 19 islands [see related to Aran] is subsidised by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention is paid to different operators, to ensure there are regular crossings to and from the islands for residents.

Figures on the Department’s website show that the total PSO cost comes to over €5.95 million each year.

Given the seasonal nature of tourism to the islands, the subsidy ensures that islanders can access the mainland all year round. Or at least, that is what is intended.

For much more on the story, click here.

Published in Island News

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.