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Displaying items by tag: Candlelit Boats

Candlelit paper boats were set adrift in the south Galway harbour of Kinvara late last week at a vigil hosted by the Kinvara Palestine Solidarity Group.

The event, entitled Caoineadh-Lament for Gaza, was held at dusk when many local people assembled at the pier.

Following a brief eulogy from Annie Rosario, a minute’s silence was observed, and then Eugene Lamb, a lone piper, played a lament that echoed across the harbour.

Finola Ó Siochrú sang “Cá bhfuil Mo Mhamaí?, a slow air she wrote to commemorate the children whose families have been killed in the conflict.

Over 27,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 66,000 wounded since Israel began its latest offensive in Gaza four months ago, according to the territory's health ministry.

Ó Siochru's air was followed by a chorus from a women’s group with local people joining in.

Candlelit paper boats were set adrift in the dark, as people held a moment’s silence at KinvaraCandlelit paper boats were set adrift in the dark, as people held a moment’s silence at Kinvara

Candlelit paper boats were then set adrift on the water, in the dark, as the people again held a moment’s silence.

The event was the latest in a series of solidarity vigils and peace marches held in Kinvara and Galway since October 7th.

During the Israeli war in Gaza in the summer of 2014, Kinvara residents and businesses took a collective stand against Israeli actions by pledging to support the growing boycott movement (known as BDS - Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) against the state of Israel.

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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.