Dublin Angling Initiative hosts annual Sean McMorrow Memorial Fishing Competition for novice Dublin anglers

Dublin Angling Initiative hosts annual Sean McMorrow Memorial Fishing Competition
for novice Dublin anglers

Wednesday, 30th of October 2019: Over 30 young people participated in the annual Sean McMorrow Memorial fishing competition held by Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Dublin Angling Initiative yesterday. The Dublin Angling Initiative is an outreach and educational fishing programme which aims to promote and develop angling among young people in the greater Dublin area. The annual competition was held in the ‘Angling for All’ Facility in Aughrim, Co. Wicklow with the boys’ team from Killinarden Angling Initiative, Tallaght winning on the day.

Young people from a range of youth groups and services took part in the competition. All of the competitors have participated in the Dublin Angling Initiative fishing courses. The courses cover different types of fishing and enable participants to learn fishing skills, many of them for the first time.

Sophie Bradshaw (age 9) and Nicole O'Reilly (age 12) from Killinarden Angling Initiative, Tallaght.

The young people who took part in the competition were from Killinarden Angling Initiative in Tallaght, the WAY project in Wicklow, Sphere 17 in Darndale and Priorswood, Whitechurch youth project, Jobstown Action for Youth (JAY project) in Dublin 24, and James St. CBS in Dublin’s South Inner City Dublin 8.

Inland Fisheries Ireland runs the annual Sean McMorrow fishing competition as a way for young people to come together and showcase their new skills and compete for fun. The young people were mentored by a team of Inland Fisheries Ireland staff and Dublin Angling Initiative volunteers, who were able to ensure all fish were released back into the water.

Speaking about the competition Brian Beckett, Director of the Eastern River Basin District at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “We run this competition as a highlight for the young people who have taken part in the fishing programme throughout the summer. It’s something we all look forward to as its great fun on the day and everyone enjoys themselves. The Dublin Angling Initiative gives participants the chance to take up a fishing rod and experience what fishing is all about and this event really showcases the experience which we want to create.”

The winning team from Killinarden Angling Initiative with Josie Mahon, Rory Keatinge and Claire Daly from Inland Fisheries Ireland.

The Dublin Angling Initiative caters for anyone interested in angling, from the complete novice to the more advanced angler and trains them in different types of fishing. Young people who take part in the initiative are educated in the different species of fish, their habitats, the importance of catch and release of our fish species and broader conservation.

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Dublin Angling Initiative has seen thousands of young people participate in the programme since it was founded over 20 years ago. The initiative has resulted in many of these young people setting up their own fishing clubs.

This year the youth programme is operating throughout the autumn months and interested youth groups, schools and angling clubs are invited to apply. To find out more, contact Rory Keatinge, Co-ordinator of the Dublin Angling Initiative by email (rory.keatinge@fisheriesireland.ie) or telephone 087 614 2906. All requests will be subject to availability as places are limited.

For more information, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie .

ENDS

For Media Information:

Órla Sheils

Communications Manager

Inland Fisheries Ireland

E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie

T: (01) 8842673 / 087 099 5038

Notes to Editors

About Inland Fisheries Ireland

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.