I know that September 11th is a striking anniversary, being as it is the date on which the Twin Towers were attacked and 3,000 innocent people lost their lives in New York City. Nothing can compare with that event. The world will forever remember the terrible events that took place as the unspeakable tragedy unfolded before our eyes. Our sympathies rest with all those who lost loved ones.
September 11th also marks the second anniversary of the sinking of the Irish Sail Training Ship, the STV Asgard II. Thankfully, due to the professionalism of the crew,the calmness of the trainees and the generosity of the rescue services in France no lives were lost that day but it is nonetheless a sad day for our small Island nation. Because we didn't just lose a ship that day, we also lost our national Sail Training programme.
Sadly, nothing has been done by the Government in the interim to ensure its continuance - save of course, pocketing the insurance money into central coffers. Now Ireland, a maritime nation, with the International Tallships fleet due to visit us twice in the coming years has neither a ship nor a sail training programme. As it stands currently, there will be no Irish sail training ship to take part in our name in those events.
If Irish young people are to get the opportunity to take part it will have to be aboard the ships of other nations. I am calling on the Government to initiate this discussion immediately and in time for the International Tallships Festival in 2011.
While the entire country is convulsed with Anglo Irish Bank and talks of recession, we cannot allow everything good that had been built up over decades to be simply taken away from us by those who can't see beyond the next IOU to the bank manager and the bondsman!
Sail training was an immense, life-changing experience for most of those who were lucky enough to be able to sail aboard Asgard. We owe it to all of young people to do everything we can to restore it - considering it was funded through their own contributions and through Lotto funding! The Tallships in Ireland without Asgard is a hard enough pill to swallow. The Tallships in Ireland with NO sail training vessel would be a disgrace.
2 comments:
I would agree with you 100 percent, having sailed on asgard II 7 or 8 times in the early 90's,
my first trip was sponsored I loved it so much I returned to complete many cruises including tall ships event in london.
she was an ambasador for our country the pride we had while visiting foreign ports was one of extreme honor,
I also took part as a liason officer in the tall ships visits to cork and waterford and I am looking forward to the visit next year.
This country needs a sail training vessel, The diver who recently braught back the bell and other items from the sea bed has a great idea of opening the tall ships event with the ringing of the bell I would also like to see a photographic exhibition of the asgard with photo's submitted by past trainnee's,this would also highlight the need for a new sail training ship and would also be a nice tribute to what was a beautiful ship,keep up the good work on promoting the tall ships.
Kind regards,
Kevin O Donoghue,
Dunmore East,
odonoghuekev1@gmail.com
Good suggestions there Kevin. I am still living in hope that the programme can be restored before next summers event - maybe futile but I can't let it go just yet.
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