Waterways Ireland through an 'Accessible Sailing Programme' is encouraging people with disabilities to get out sailing on the lakes on the Inland Waterways.

Waterways Ireland in partnership with Share Holiday Village is hosting a 'Come and Try It' Day at the centre in Lisnaskea on Friday the 25 July. The event will run all day and people interested in participating are invited to contact the organiser Rory Martin on Tel no (0)28 6772 2122. Booking is essential, waterproofs will be provided.

Kerry Gruson winner of the U.S. Sailing Association's Disabled Sailor of the Year Award for 3 consecutive years 2003 - 2005 and aiming to participate in Cork Week will be present to demonstrate the systems that help her sail and talk to the participants about the freedom sailing has given her.

Launched by Minister Poots, DCAL and Minister Ó Cuív DCRGA at the London Boat Show in January, a successful 'Come & Try It' Day has already been held on Lough Ree and was covered extensively on 'Nationwide' on RTE.

Waterways Ireland manages, maintains, restores and develops the inland navigable waterways principally for recreational purposes. Waterways Ireland has already facilitated access for people with disabilities to rowing.

A purpose built fully accessible centre, Share Holiday Village runs a full programme outdoor activities programme for people with disabilities and those who are able bodied to participate in together on Lough Erne. They are ideally placed to welcome individual and groups of people with disabilities on an ongoing basis.

As part of the Accessible Sailing Programme, a 'Come and Try It' day has already been held on Lough Ree and a further 'Come & Try It Day' will take place on Lough Derg on 20 July 2008.

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Further Details

Waterways Ireland Tel +44 (0)28 6634 6209

Katrina Mc Girr HYPERLINK "mailto:katrina.mcgirr@waterwaysireland.org" katrina.mcgirr@waterwaysireland.org

Lough Derg Yacht Club Tel +353 (67 24455

Ciaran Murphy HYPERLINK "mailto:Ciaran.murphy@ul.ie" Ciaran.murphy@ul.ie

Lough Ree Yacht Club Tel +353 (0)86 8395861

Siobhan Bigley HYPERLINK "mailto:siobhanbigley@gmail.com" siobhanbigley@gmail.com

Share Holiday Village Tel +44 (28)6772 2122

Rory Martin HYPERLINK "mailto:rory@sharevillage.org" rory@sharevillage.org

Background

Increasing Access for People with Disabilities

to the Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland has agreed to develop a programme to support increased access for people with disabilities to the inland waterways.

Initially working in conjunction with the Yacht Clubs on the inland waterways, the 2008 programme is aimed at fostering an interest in and access to sailing among people with disabilities.

The programme will take the form of 'Come & Try It' sessions based on the three lakes, Lough Ree, Lough Derg and Lough Erne. Able bodied and disabled sailors will enable the programme participants to get out on the water in a range of craft from double handed craft through to team boats. The participants are being sourced through both local and national network organisations working with people with disabilities.

Kerry Gruson, winner of the U.S. Sailing Association's Disabled Sailor of the Year Award for 3 consecutive year 2003 - 2005 will be present at two of the Come & Try it Events

The launch of the programme at the 2008 London Boat Show on the Waterways Ireland stand by Minister O Cuiv DCRGA and Minister Edwim Poots DCAL highlighted the commitment to increasing access to the waterways, to promoting the programme on an international platform and provide an opportunity for further networking between the clubs, organisations and individuals involved whether able bodied or disabled.