Yacht owners who are volunteers with Foyle Sailability have revealed their plans to round Ireland on an awareness raising campaign for Sailability Ireland, a national organization aimed at increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in sailing and water-based activities.
Foyle Sailability was launched in May 2013 by a group of people from throughout the north west cross border region, interested in offering disabled people sailing and to eradicate discrimination between persons in the sport of sailing and in the wider community and to comply with the principles of equal opportunity.
The yachts will set sail from Greencastle, Co. Donegal on Friday 26th June. Their joint mission is to raise awareness of sailing and water based activities for people with disabilities. They will stop at each of the Sailability Centres around the Irish coast, with the first stop being in Carrickfergus at Belfast Lough Sailability.
Cathal MacElhatton, Chairman of Foyle Sailability said, “Our volunteers are giving up their own time to make this passage in the name of Sailability. It is a big commitment they are making and we aim to give them a great send off when they leave from Greencastle on June 26. “
Ciaran Murphy, Sailability Ireland, added, “We look forward to welcoming the Foyle Sailability members to each of the centres around the coast and raising wareness of the benefits of sailing for people with disabilities.
Supported by MalinWaters which is funded by the EU INTERREG IVA cross border programme under the Sail West project, Joy Harron of Donegal County Council said, “The emergence of the MalinWaters region has been a major milestone in the development and promotion of marine leisure and tourism and we are happy to give support to Foyle Sailability and their members who are undertaking this Round Ireland Passage to promote Sailability Ireland.”