A NUMBER of young people from Limerick were among the 50 exceptional young Irish trainees who took part in an intensive week-long voyage as crew members of three different sailing vessels.
This week, the participants received their certificates of completion from Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers at a special awards ceremony in Dublin’s Docklands today.
The fifty young people from thirteen counties had just completed an intensive week-long training course with Sail Training Ireland off the coasts of Ireland and the UK, on board three participating vessels – ‘The Brian Ború’, ‘Ilen’ and tall ship ‘Pelican of London’.
The trainees formed a special guard of honour as part of the 2022 ‘Asgard Armada’ – which saw a special lifting of the East Link Bridge this morning to allow the three returning boats sail in formation into the Dublin docklands, marking the conclusion of their training and just in time for the special presentation award event at the Mayson Hotel on North Wall Quay on Wednesday.
The participants were nominated to take part by various youth organisations throughout the country such as Foróige Youth Diversion, Sailability Northern Ireland, Túsla – the Child and Family Agency, Family Resource centres, School Completion Programmes, Cork Life Centre, Manor St. John Youth Service, Waterford and South Tipperary Youth Service and Scouting Ireland.
The 13 counties represented are Antrim, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.
Minister of State for Sport, the Gaeltacht and Defence and Government Chief Whip, Jack Chambers TD, praised the 50 participants. “This all-island initiative by Sail Training Ireland is to be commended. It is crucial for all sports to be inclusive and to give opportunities regardless of background.”
Daragh Sheridan, CEO of Sail Training Ireland said: “We are delighted to be honouring the achievements of the 50 amazing young people who make up the 2022 Asgard Armada. This is always a special moment for each trainee, many of whom come home from even a quite short but intensive experience at sea with a changed view of life, a greater sense of purpose and a new perspective on their own capabilities. Sail Training Ireland brings a challenging, personal development experience which can really have a huge impact on those taking part. Our participants come from varied backgrounds and many would typically never have such an opportunity open to them without assistance from a local community organisation. We could not do this without the continued support of our donors and the Department of Defence.”
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