New Tall Ship for Newry

The historic port of Newry will once again see the majestic sight of a tall ship gracefully sailing up and down Newry Ship Canal on a regular basis with the arrival of a beautiful 1892 heritage ship later this month, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Newry based sailing charity Silvery Light Sailing has been awarded almost a quarter of a million pounds by the fund for a boat restoration workshop and Tall Ship sailing project.

The sailing charity based at WIN and with a workshop at Greenbank Industrial Estate in Newry has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £244,975 for the acquisition of the 1892 built Heritage Tall Ship LEADER and a further expansion of their traditional boat building skills workshop and community sailing programmes. The 130 year old Brixham trawler will sail into Newry in the coming weeks.

The funding for the Summer 2022 Maritime Heritage Project has been made possible by National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million every week for good causes in the UK.

The project opens a new chapter in the history of the LEADER, a survivor of the fleets of sailing fishing boat that once fished in the Irish Sea. The Heritage vessel is again destined to become a familiar sight in local ports providing a unique sailing experience for local youth and community groups, public open days and festivals. Maintained and crewed by volunteers, the project will help preserve an important link to the area’s rich maritime and fishing past.

Gerry Brennan, Chair of Silvery Light Sailing said: “We are a maritime charity providing an annual programme of residential voyages that give youth and community groups from across Northern Ireland an opportunity to experience and benefit from a taste of life at sea on a traditional sailing ship. For many it can be a life changing, challenging experience, discovering new strengths and self-confidence whilst making lasting friendships”

Ten community and youth groups from across Northern Ireland will follow a programme of heritage workshop skills and a five day residential voyage. They will form the crew sailing the ship using the power of the wind, learning about the traditions of the sea, how to cook, clean, maintain  and care for both themselves and the heritage vessel.

Dr Paul Mullan, Director, Northern Ireland at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said “It is fantastic news that thanks to the National Lottery players, we have been able to support Silvery Light Sailing to ensure that this amazing heritage tall ship can be preserved for years to come, meaning that local communities and visitors can learn more about Northern Ireland’s maritime heritage. We know that heritage can play a huge role in bringing people together and the community sailing programmes that will be accessed by groups engaging with maritime heritage for the first time is a fantastic example of that.” 

LEADER was built as a sailing trawler. Uniquely during each voyage, crews will undertake sea sampling experiments using mini trawling methods to determine the level of micro plastic pollution around our coastline.

Through community workshops, Silvery Light Sailing practice traditional skills and methods for the maintenance of Tall Ships like LEADER and the restoration of several smaller heritage boats which have a local connection. This new National Lottery funded project has not only secured an important part of Northern Ireland’s maritime heritage but allows for the expansion of workshop activities and the opportunity to bring in more volunteers.

Silvery Light Sailing is welcoming new volunteers. For further information on available opportunities to volunteer as a crew member or to learn about boat restoration, visit their website WWW.SILVERYLIGHT.ORG or email silverylight1884@gmail.com   

News of future public events and opportunities to board LEADER and find out about its maritime heritage will be available on Silvery Light Sailing’s social media channels @SilveryLight

You can follow @HeritageFundUK and @HeritageFundNI on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram 

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