Ireland's Proposed New Tall Ship Grace O'Malley Features on RTE Nationwide Tonight

14th March 2022

The Atlantic Youth Trust Charity says the 164ft Tradewind schooner (above) it has identified will act as the new ‘flagship’ for introducing young people across the island of Ireland to maritime and careers.

Tonight RTE Nationwide will broadcast a feature on a planned new sail training tall ship for Ireland.

As Afloat first reported last October, the new ship is intended to replace the lost Asgard II.

The 17-minute piece by Donal Byrne documents the first test sail by the Irish group in Sweden.

The Atlantic Youth Trust Charity chaired by Round the World sailor Enda O'Coineen, says the 164ft Tradewind schooner it has identified will act as the new ‘flagship’ for introducing young people across the island of Ireland to maritime and careers.

The ship is to be renamed the Grace O’Malley, after the so-called Mayo ‘Pirate Queen’. Built of steel in a modern structure, and elegant lines of a 19^th century Tall Ship, she is considered fit for purpose to high safety specifications.

There is a plan to acquire a new ship to replace the Asgard - Donal Byrne went to Sweden with the Irish group behind the project to test sail a ship for the first time - See #RTENationwide on Monday 14th March @RTEOne 7pm @atlanticyt @AfloatMagazine @SailTrainingIre @EOCoineen RT pic.twitter.com/5wXE53liIR
— RTÉ Nationwide (@RTENationwide) March 13, 2022

In addition, the Charity says the tall ship will have a key role to play in the areas of research, innovation, tourism promotion and providing a support outlet for vulnerable young people.

The charity is seeking funding from the British and Irish governments to finalise the purchase of the vessel.

Nationwide is broadcast tonight at 1900 hrs (Monday, 14th March).

Also read: WM Nixon's Ireland’s Hopes for a Tall Ship Are Running High

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