This article is from page 13 of the 2012-01-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
THE refurbishment of the Celtic Mist, the yacht formerly owned by Charles Haughey that was donated to the Kilrush-based Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) last year, is to be granted aid to the tune of nearly € 50,000.
The IWDG has secured 75 per cent funding of € 47,900 from the Leader programme administered by the Clare Local Development Company for the refit project that is already underway in Kilrush.
In welcoming the grant allocation, the IWDG co-ordinator Dr Simon Berrow paid tribute to the development company’s support for the project that’s being spearheaded by Mr Cathal Blunnie.
The 52ft yacht had been on sale in the Isle of Wight, with an asking price of € 175,000, before Conor Haughey announced the move to donate the vessel to the IWDG, a group whose work was of special interest to the late Taoiseach.
“The market for yachts isn’t great at the moment,” said Conor Haughey, “and my father did declare Irish waters as a whale and dolphin sanctuary in 1991, so that’s why we have decided to gift it to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.”
“This will give us a whole new dimension,” said Dr Simon Berrow at the time. “Charlie Haughey was always very interested in the sea and the marine and he often sent in sighting of whales and dolphins. He’d be known for declaring Ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary. It was a huge political gesture at the time,” he added.
It is estimated that the refit of the Celtic Mist will cost more than € 60,000 and that the ketch will cost some € 20,000 to € 30,000 annually to maintain, subsidised by day trips.
A berth at Kilrush marina has been provided by Shannon Development and a passenger vessel licence application has also been made.
The refit involves stripping down the main cabin, and removing the bath and shower to allow for additional crew berths.
The former owner’s clock will be kept, along with other items. However, the ketch’s wheel in the main cabin is set to be presented to the Haughey family.
The Celtic Mist came to Kilrush in July after taking part in the Tall Ships Race in Waterford.