Waterways Ireland Facilitates Equal Access to the Waterways

Waterways Ireland has supported a programme of ‘Me Too’ Days in 2011 which encourage ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and low income families to participate in a range of free water based activities on Lough Erne.

Taking place at the Share Centre on the 9th, 11th and 13th of May 2011, the ‘Me Too’ Days are supported under the Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme. The activities include 1.5 hr taster sessions in Canoeing, Kayaking, Windsurfing, Sailing, Banana Boat Rides, Jet boat rides, Raft Building and Cruises of Upper Lough Erne. Dry activities were made available on the cruise for families with very young children including balloon modelling, story-telling and face painting.

The Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme has been running for over 7 years sponsoring a wide range of events on all the waterways managed by the organisation. While equality of access is an important element of all the applications approved, this event which specifically brings people to the waterways who would not normally participate for reasons of disability, finance or ethnicity will increase awareness within these groups of the recreational opportunities available on and along the waterways.

The director of Marketing Martin Dennany commented on the event, confirming that ‘Waterways Ireland supports waterside and waterway events to promote increased understanding and use of the recreational opportunities provided by the waterways.  The ‘Me Too’ Days along with the other 70+ events Waterways Ireland will support in 2011 aim to bring diversified communities to the waterways to enjoy all kinds of fun from junior angling to wakeboarding, canoeing and long distance swimming”

For more information on other events taking place along the waterways in 2011 check out the ‘events’ on www.waterwaysireland.org or order a free copy of the Whats On guide from www.shopwaterwaysireland.org

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For more information contact
Katrina Mc Girr T: +353 (0)87 991 841     E:katrina.mcgirr@waterwaysireland.org