|
Inishowen sets sail for Clipper
boost
23.01.12
A NEW website has been
launched to help businesses, community groups and
the general public to make the most of the visit of
the 2012 Clipper Challenge to Lough Foyle in the
summer. Tens of thousands of sightseers are expected
to come to Inishowen and Derry to see the spectacle.
In addition to developing a website, Inishowen
Development Partnership has appointed a
co-ordinator, Kate Wilkinson, to help local
businesses, schools and community groups to get
involved.
Ten yachts are taking part in the Clipper Round the
World Yacht race, with Greencastle grandmother
Michelle McCann on board the Derry-Londonderry
entry. The race started last July, and the teams are
currently on Leg 5 sailing between Australia and
Singapore, where they are expected to arrive on 28
January.
But plans are afoot for the conclusion of Leg 8
which takes boats from Nova Scotia to Derry and the
boats are estimated to arrive between 29 June and 1
July and will depart on Sunday 8 July 2012 at 5pm.
The finish and start line will be at Greencastle.
The Clipper Challenge presents an excellent
opportunity to showcase Inishowen to a national and
international audience. |
|
The Derry-Londonderry Round the World
Clipper yacht when it sailed up Lough Foyle back in
May 2011 on its way to the Foyle Days maritime
festival in Derry. |
IDP rural development
programme manager, Andrew Ward said: “We are very
excited that Inishowen will play an important part
in the Clipper Challenge 2012, and we have appointed
a temporary Clipper Challenge co-ordinator, Kate
Wilkinson, who, on our behalf, will work with people
and organisations throughout the peninsula who are
interested in developing a project around the
Clipper Challenge. We are in a position to offer
partial funding for Clipper Challenge-related events
that meet the criteria of the LEADER funding
programme - of course the level of funding will vary
depending on whether you are a business, community
group or an individual."
Kate Wilkinson, Clipper Challenge co-ordinator said:
“I am delighted to be working on this project which
offers a great opportunity to showcase Inishowen
both across Ireland and the rest of the world. If
you have an idea for an event or project to coincide
with the Clipper Challenge in June or July please
take a look at our website
www.clipperchallengeinishowen.com to find out
more about how you can get involved and give me a
call to discuss your idea. I am here to support
individuals, community groups and businesses to
develop their ideas and to guide them through the
LEADER application process”. Contact: Kate
Wilkinson, Clipper Challenge co-ordinator,
clipperchallengekate@gmail.com or 086 877 9506.
(Inishowen Independent) |
|