In 2017 over 300 trainees went to sea on Tall Ships from Ireland and across Europe. Sail Training Ireland aim to fund a similar number of trainees in 2018. These numbers have not been seen since the loss of Ireland’s National Tall Ship Asgard II in 2008.
On Saturday 27th January 2018, Sail training Ireland will hold their sixth Annual Prize Giving and Season Launch event at the Mansion house in Dublin, courtesy of Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál Mac Donncha, who will be in attendance.
Sail Training Ireland funds young people from all backgrounds and abilities to sail on Tall Ship voyages at sea. Their work has resulted in over sixteen hundred young people going to sea since 2011. These numbers have not been seen since the loss of Ireland’s National Tall Ship Asgard II in 2008. The 2017 trainees included young people from residential care homes, Garda Diversion Projects, Sea Scouts, Youth and Community groups and Schools, asylum seekers and immigrants and young people with visual, hearing and physical impairments from across Ireland and Northern Ireland. The purpose of the sail training experience is a change in direction, perspective, attitude, and behaviour leading to self-confidence, motivation and new skills acquired.
The highlight of the 2018 season will be the Tall Ships Regatta being run from Liverpool – Dublin – Bordeaux. This will be a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved as there are several different bursary funds available to reduce the cost to the trainees.
We are also delighted to be involved once again with “The Voyage” an initiative between the Cities of Dublin, Belfast and Liverpool which, includes Sail Training voyages between the three cities. The project celebrates the historical, cultural, and maritime links between the cities. These voyages benefit from E.U. Erasmus + funding.
Daragh Sheridan, the CEO of Sail Training Ireland will announce a voyage programme for 2018 including several very exciting funded programmes. The regional sail training schemes in Drogheda, Cork, Dublin, Belfast, and Waterford are well established while Derry, and Galway are at various stages of development. 2018 will also see the Spirit of Asgard Voyage reuniting former Asgard trainees on a voyage in the Irish sea. This year will also see 6 wheelchair users go on board the tall ship Lord Nelson as part of the Ability Voyage project. The Lord Nelson is a ship built specifically to cater to those with disabilities. The Dublin City Council/Dublin Port Company Legacy project continues to build on the legacy of Tall Ships 2012.
For anyone with an interest in partaking in a voyage or organisations that work with young people that may benefit, they should contact Sail Training Ireland Phone: 01 816 8866.
