The news that The Grace O'Malley, a schooner purchased by private investors with hopes of developing it as Ireland’s national sail training vessel, has been sold after failing to secure government funding has sparked widespread disappointment and frustration among supporters of youth development and maritime heritage in Ireland.
The Atlantic Youth Trust Charity, formerly chaired by Round the World sailor Enda O'Coineen, said when it acquired the 164ft Tradewind schooner in 2021, the hope was that it would act as the new ‘flagship’ for introducing young people across the island of Ireland to maritime and careers.
O’Coineen, a former Director of the state sail training body, Coiste an Asgard, said then, "We have long since championed the need to replace Ireland’s lost sail training vessel, the Asgard II, in a dynamic and creative new way".
The Grace O'Malley, a 164ft three-master ship, prepares for repurposing at Harland & Wolff shipyard after successfully touring Ireland in 2022, attracting over 5,000 visitors along the way.
Three years later, readers of Afloat have reacted to the disappointing outcome:
Patrick Kenealy, a former sail trainee on the previous sailing training vessel Asgard II, expressed his disappointment: “What a pity. Sail training is a great thing for kids and young adults. I learnt so much on my trips on the Asgard. But it’s hardly surprising that our government refuse funding for something good!!!”
Tony Doherty questioned the lack of a public campaign: “Why no public campaign to put pressure on the Government? The whole business seems very strange to me.”
David Cullinane, also a former Asgard II sailor, lamented the loss: “As somebody who sailed many times in Asgard as a teenager, I appreciate the benefit of sail training. It’s a shocking pity that the funding to progress this couldn’t be secured.”
The 164ft Grace O’Malley makes her Cork Harbour debut
Jack Delaney pointed to what he perceived as misplaced priorities: “The government are saving all the money to hand it over to the Green Goblin in Ukraine.”
Gemma Magliocco criticised the government for neglecting the benefits of sail training and Ireland’s maritime heritage: “This is simply neglect by our Government to recognise the huge benefit that sail training has for young people. Again, there is a lack of connection to our heritage as a maritime country. It is beyond understanding.”
A dream emerges from the mist - ST Grace O'Malley Arrives In The Liffey
Tony Reck echoed frustrations with the government’s lack of maritime awareness: “Shocking! But not surprising!! The powers that be have long forgotten we are an island nation!! We need a maritime department that actually has an idea of what it means!”
Martin E. Murray suggested a shift in youth interests: “The problem is our youth are no longer interested in seafaring, preferring the iPad and phone.”
Vincent Delany raised concerns about future naval recruitment: “Perhaps our naval services will continue to have difficulty recruiting young sailors as a consequence of this decision.”
Tony Lewis questioned the allocation of funds from the Asgard II insurance: “This is disgraceful. Where did the cash go from Asgard II insurance after sinking? Should have been taken up by Dept Social Welfare for youth training and North-South relationships.”
Michael O'Carroll pointed to a lack of interest in Ireland’s maritime history: “The Asgard, Creidne, and the Jeanie Johnston. No interest in ships.”
Bobby Evans expressed frustration with the lack of transparency: “Finally, we get told. Was there no risk analysis done when purchased? Idiots, gave us a dream & shattered it without saying anything.”
Pat Morrissey countered the headline, blaming the government: “That headline is wrong: the ship did not fail in any way – the lousers in government failed to provide funding.”
Kim Roberts criticised the government for neglecting youth opportunities while funding other initiatives: “This and numerous previous governments are oblivious to our maritime heritage. They will throw money at any hair-brained scheme with a few votes attached, but refuse to back sail training to benefit our youth.”
Robert Daly sarcastically suggested the government’s priorities: “Plenty of money if you own a greyhound or a horse! Should have said it was a seahorse crewed by young sea dogs, then it might have got funding.”
Edward Sweeney decried the lack of awareness among politicians: “What else would you expect from politicians of all parties in this country who are not aware we live on an island? They’ve wrecked our fishing industry and Irish Shipping Ltd, who kept the country fed during the last war.”
The sale of the Grace O'Malley marks the end of a promising initiative to create a national sail training ship for Ireland.
Despite grassroots efforts, the lack of state funding highlights broader concerns about the government’s commitment to preserving and fostering Ireland's maritime heritage.
In an update to its members following the sale, the Atlantic Youth Trust said, "We wish to move on from the past, and today, with two coastal vessels (22 trainee capacity), we can deliver our mission to introduce young people to the ocean and adventure. We congratulate Sail Training Ireland on their work - our origins are common, and by working together, much can be achieved. We will keep our dream alive of someday having a representative Tallship like Asgard II for our Island".
