At the launch of the 2008 Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival, from left, Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications, Waterways Ireland; Mary Gavin Hughes, European Gold Championship Sea Angling Winner; and Peter Lynch, Senior Fisheries Officer, Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL).

LAUNCH OF THE 2008 WATERWAYS IRELAND
CLASSIC FISHING FESTIVAL: New Top Prize of £5,000

The Launch of the 2008 Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival took place on Friday 14th March at the "Go Fishing" Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

Some of the world's top anglers and personalities were present at the launch which took place at the Waterways Ireland stand at the Go Fishing Show. These included Matt Hayes, Keith Arthur and Mary Gavin Hughes, the European Gold Championship Sea Angler.

The Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival takes place a week earlier this year from Sunday 27 April to Friday 2 May and has a new top prize of £5,000. Officiating at the Launch, Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications with Waterways Ireland confirmed the increase in the prize fund to £24,000 which includes a prize of £5,000 for the overall Classic Fishing Festival Winner along with the daily and section prizes on offer.

The Festival, which is one of the top events on the International Angling Calendar and the main event of the Fermanagh match fishing season, is expected to attract over 300 anglers to Enniskillen and Lough Erne from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, Austria and even further afield, with many past winners and competitors expected to return this year.

The Festival opens with a Welcome Reception for competitors on Sunday 27th April. The competition begins on Monday 28th April and the Festival closes with a Gala Farewell and Prize Presentation on Friday 2nd May.

The Festival is sponsored for the sixth year by Waterways Ireland, the North/South implementation body responsible for the management of the inland navigable waterway system, and is organised by Fermanagh District Council.

Entry forms may be obtained from the Fermanagh District Council, Town Hall, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, BT74 7BA or by calling +44 (0)28 6632 5050.

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Further information from:

Ms. Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412. Or:
Mr. Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications,
Waterways Ireland, 00 44 28 66346203.

Date: 20.03.2008
PR08003