Celtic Mist annually make over is well under way with great help from IWDG members. She was lifted Friday afternoon after Finbarr O’Connell and his crew made the short journey from Fenit to Kilrush Marina. We power hosed a years’ epifauna and growth from her hull and Fiacc changed over the anodes (with a little help with the welding from Mike working on his yachr next to Celtic Mist – thanks Mike).
BEFORE
AFTER
Saturday saw a full day painting anti-fouling on the hull, cleaning the propeller and bow thrusters and Michael managed to paint most of the blue hull too. Fine art was supplied by Tom and Lisa trying to keep the beautiful design by Mick O’Clery looking as good as possible. Sunday was spent cleaning the inside of the boat, sanding and varnishing the stern rail and seats and first coat of paint on wheelhouse. Lorraines dishwasher has been working overtime and Frances Berminghams washing machine cleaning blankets, pillow cases.
We would like to thank Ger Dore, Tom Clear, Lauren and Margo Kiernan, Siobhan Murphy, Katie Costello, Michael Meehan, Carlota Vialcho Miranda, Shraveena Venkatesh, María Pérez Tadeo, Ray Meehan, Lisa O’Brien Frankie and Maire Morris, Rónán, Cuan and Muireann Berrow, Frances Bermingham and Lorraine Bull for all their hard work over the weekend all directed by skipper and IWDG director Fiacc O’Brolchain.
This weekend we had skipper training with 12 new volunteers being shown the vessel and practising bringing alongside and other manouevers. To have so many experienced skippers on the vessel all working together and sharing opinions was fantastic. Great experience, great enthusiasum and a great season ahead for Celtic Mist.
Thanks to Finbarr O'Connell, Patrick Hartigan, Seamus mac Gearailt, Paul O'Neill, Michael O'Meara, Marie Keohane, Trevor Whelan, Conor Fitzgerald, Barry Keane, Padraic de Bhaldraithe, Neil Barnaby and Henry Lupton for giving up their time this weekend to tackle Celtic Mist and Stephanie Levesque for her help
. 
So places are filling fast for the eight weeks of sailing, surveying and promoting the IWDG and marine biodiversity from Galway to Dublin this summer. Celtic Mist will attend Riverfest in Dublin and Seafest in Galway as well as the Glandore and Baltimore regattas. Please help us at these events as we wil be busy. Celtic Mist is available to all members and plese contact enquiries@iwdg.ie if you are interested in participating. Our first voyage is next weekend to Riverfest in Limerick and to accompany Chiris Egan on his "Sail Around Ireland Campaign". Chris is partially blind and all funds raised go to Guide Dogs for the Blind and the RNLI see http://afloat.ie/port-news/shannon-estuary/item/35293-limerick-sailor-takes-on-round-ireland-challenge-again-this-time-for-irish-guide-dogs-rnli
IWDG are very grateful to Director Fiacc O'Brolchain for his ongoing commitment to Celtic Mist.
