#glenans – Les Glenans, the French sail trainers, one of the biggest sail training establishments in Ireland, is to close its operations at two bases in Ireland at the end of the month.
In July, Afloat reported the recession hit school warned of possible closure of its Collanmore and Baltimore bases and in a statement last night entitled 'CALLING ALL MEMBERS' a message on the Glenans facebook page confirms the sad news: 'It is with teary eyes that we regretfully inform you that after 44 years.....the board of directors of Glenans voted 10 to 4 in favour of closing both Irish bases and thereby ceasing all activity in Ireland'.
The popular sail training club has been one of the largest such organisations in the country over the past 44 years, training up to an estimated 40,000 in that period.
The association currently has 1,500 members in Ireland and was reintegrated with its French counterparts in November 2010, a move Les Glenans said at the time would underpin its future.
The statement continues 'So at the beginning of October, the doors will close and we are unsure who it will be opening them next year. The members of the Irish sector committee are presently exploring options for 2014, and we will keep you posted on any developments.......It was a pleasure........Thanks to everyone who made it possible down through the years....'
