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Cumann Bádóirí Acla
By Dr. Jerry Cowley, Chairman Cumann Bádóirí Acla.
Cumann Bádóirí Acla (CBA) was set up to foster and promote the rich tradition of Achill Yawl
sailing. This is a proud tradition which almost
disappeared, but thankfully was revived in recent times. Nowadays the club engages in
friendly competition through weekly sailing
races held throughout the summer as part of
Cruinniú Bádóirí Acla, much to the delight of locals and tourists alike. Club activities are provided on an equal opportunity basis. We extend
a ‘céad míle fáilte’ to anyone interested in participating in our programme of activities during
the year.
Cumann Bádóirí Acla has achieved a great deal
in 2013, in association with Ionad Mara & Geoltaí Acla Teo, a ‘not- for- profit’ company with
charitable status set up to promote the Achill
yawl. This included the acquisition of our very
own Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB Safety Boat), a
Club Boat Storage Facility at Polranny, Achill
Sound, and a floating pontoon. All Club equipment can be stored in the new storage facility.
The RIB is used to respond to all situations on
the water, and especially to ensure the full
safety of all personnel. The RIB will give immediate assistance in the event of any potentially
dangerous situation arising, and in particular will
render immediate assistance to crew in the
event of a yawl capsizing. It is also used to prepare moorings, set marks, set the racing
courses, transport equipment and provide essential communications between the yawls. The
pontoon has a multitude of uses, including providing a convenient mooring for the yawls during the racing season. It also provides a stable
working platform for all involved, as well as giving safe convenient access to the yawls.
Cumann Bádóirí Acla identified a great need
among the local population for a sail training
programme which would allow participants to
experience yawl sailing first hand in a safe and
controlled environment. This would be administered by dedicated and experienced traditional
yawl sailors and be intended for people of all
ages, and other interested parties.
We saw this sail training programme as a valuable opportunity to promote the club objective of
fostering a love of traditional yawl sailing so as
to propagate our local rich yawl tradition into the
future through the participation of our youth in
the programme.
This would also be a valuable opportunity for
our young people to develop their own strength
of character through their yawl sailing learning
experience. In this way they would develop their
individual confidence further as part of a team
learning to work together under instruction.
Cumann Bádóirí Acla was to the fore in organizing the Achill part of the recent ‘Pirate Queen
Festival’ held for the first time in September
2013. This festival was developed in association with ‘The Gathering’ and the organizing
committee included representation from
Cumann Bádóirí Acla, as well as from organizations around Clew Bay. It included events in
Westport, Clare Island, and Louisburgh, as well
as Derreens, Achill. Cumann Bádóirí Acla were
proud to secure the presence of Mr. Bryan
Dobson, RTE Newsreader to officially open the
Achill part of the Pirate Queen Festival as well
as the attendance and participation of Ms. Ann
Chambers, the renowned author and foremost
authority on Grace O’Malley. This festival is
destined to become an annual event on the
sporting and cultural calendar of Achill Island
and the Clew Bay Area, and an ongoing opportunity to showcase the splendid Achill Yawl.
It is the long term aim of the club to establish a
Yawl Centre at Achill Sound where the local
population and visitors alike can see, enjoy and
participate in traditional Achill Yawl sailing
events and sail training programmes.
Achill Link 2014
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Bryan Dobson, Dr. Jerry Cowley,
Anne Chambers