Mayor hosts Reception for the crew of Brian Ború and Sail Training Ireland
Well Buoy!
Mayor of Waterford City and County Council hosts a Mayoral Reception for the crew of the Brian Ború and Sail Training Ireland.
Mayor of Waterford City and County Council, Cllr. John Cummins, hosted a Mayoral Reception for the crew of the sailing ship Brian Ború, after its five day voyage with Sail Training Ireland and a group of 6 trainees in City Hall, Waterford on Friday 10th of June 2016.
Those attending the reception included Chairperson of Sail Training Ireland Seamus McLoughlin, The Captain of the Brian Ború Tony McLoughlin, crew members of the Brian Ború and the 6 trainees, Billy Duggan of Waterford City and County Council’s Economic Development Department and several Councillors.
The Brian Ború which has its homeport in Waterford at the City Marina provides a lower level stepping stone for young people with no experience to get a first taste of Sail Training. It is currently the only fully licensed wooden, traditionally rigged sail training vessel in the island of Ireland, quite a coup for Waterford.
On the 29th of May the Brian Ború set sail with 10 trainees (18 to 25 year olds) and finally led a fleet of Tall Ships into Dublin Port on Friday 3rd June to celebrate the commencement of a spectacular Riverfest 2016. The return voyage with another group of trainees (16 to 18 year olds) began with their embarkment on the Brian Ború in Dublin on the 5th June. While sailing South to Waterford they had a spectacular trip with warm welcomes in Arklow, Rosslare, Kilmore Quay, and Dunmore East. The young trainees have steadily increased in self confidence, social interaction, ability to take responsibility, and various maritime skills on a daily basis. The highlights included having the opportunity to heave- to off the Saltee Islands last Wednesday afternoon in glorious sunshine to swim, dive, row the ship’s boat and generally enjoy the wildlife and scenery including tracking a group of Risso dolphins and photographing puffins and guillemots.
Speaking at the reception Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John Cummins said ‘the beautiful Brian Ború Sailing Ship is such an addition to the Waterford Quays. I have sailed on the Brian Ború and the experience is something unique’
Waterford City and County Council along with Waterford Area Partnership and Waterford Port Authority are party to a bursary arrangement with the Brian Ború and Sail Training Ireland. Waterford City and County Council contributed €5000 to this bursary.
Sail Training Ireland is the National Sail Training Organisation and a Charity with youth development at its core. It creates Sail Training Voyages for Young People from all Backgrounds and Abilities.
Sail training requires participants to confront many demanding challenges, both physical and emotional. It is an activity that inspires self-confidence and the acceptance of personal responsibility. It promotes an acceptance of others whatever their social or cultural backgrounds, and develops a willingness to take controlled risks. For most who undertake sail training on Tall Ships it is a positive life-changing experience.
Waterford is looking forward to the visit next week of the Morgenster a 50m Tall Ship which will have trainees on board from the north and south of Ireland. The Morgenster will be berthed at the Port of Waterford pontoon on Waterford’s Quay and open for pre-booked tours from 11am-2.30pm on Saturday, June 18. A limited number of tour tickets will go on sale at a cost of just €10 for a group of four with all proceeds going to Waterford River Rescue. Tickets can be purchased through the Theatre Royal box office– call 051 874 402 or visit www.theatreroyal.ie. Waterford was host to the International Tall Ships Race in 2005 and 2011.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Claire Hartley
Waterford City and County Council
chartley@waterfordcouncil.ie
0761 10 2549
