Anita Oman-Wrynn, from the 5th Wicklow Sea Scouts Bray, was bestowed the honour of Volunteer of the Year Award at the Sail Training Ireland Annual Awards Ceremony at the Mansion House. The award was presented by Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy.
Awards were given to those who made outstanding contributions to the Tall Ships voyages organised in 2022 by Sail Training Ireland, a charity which aims to make sailing accessible to those we may not otherwise be in a position to get involved.
Last Year, 546 trainees sailed on voyages on tall ships. Since 2011, 3,000 young people from all backgrounds and abilities have availed of the opportunities provided by Sail Training Ireland (STIrl) to participate in training and self-development programmes. These are designed to offer a change in direction, perspective, attitude, and behaviour leading to self-confidence, motivation, and the acquisition of new skills.
Trainees include young people from residential care homes, Garda Diversion Projects, Youth and Community groups and Schools, drug rehabilitation programmes, asylum seekers and young people with visual, hearing, and physical impairments from across Ireland.
“The core aim of Sail Training Ireland is to ensure that all young people across the island of Ireland have access to the life-changing experience of a voyage at sea. 2022 has been a record year with over 546 trainees partaking in thirty voyages on five vessels. The Government funding provided again for 2023 will allow us to offer the opportunity to those who otherwise may not have been able to avail of such a chance.” – Sail Training Ireland CEO – Daragh Sheridan
The Government of Ireland, Dublin City Council and Dublin Port Company continue to support the charity in all that they do. Anyone interested in partaking in a voyage or organisations that work with young people that may benefit from such an experience, should contact Sail Training Ireland at www.sailtrainingireland.com email info@sailtrainingireland.com or phone: 01 845 4773
