Belfast Lough Sailability Celebrates 25 Years of Inclusive Sailing

Published 23:00 on 25 Apr 2026

Celebrating 25 Years of Inclusive Sailing

Belfast Lough Sailability is proud to mark a landmark 25th Anniversary a milestone that reflects a quarter-century of dedication to making sailing accessible for disabled people across Northern Ireland.

Our Story

Our journey began in 1999 as the Carrickfergus Disabled Sailing Project, born from a simple but powerful belief: that everyone deserves the freedom of the water. Formally recognised as a charity in 2001, we've grown into one of Northern Ireland's leading disability sailing organisations delivering safe, high-quality, and inclusive sessions led by a passionate team of trained volunteers.

Over the years, thousands of individuals have discovered new skills, built lasting confidence, and experienced the joy of sailing in a welcoming and supportive environment.

A Night to Remember

The anniversary year got off to a memorable start with a special celebration at Carrickfergus Sailing Club, bringing together the funders, supporters, volunteers, and participants whose passion and commitment have made 25 years of impact possible.

The evening was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors:
Translink · RYANI · Solarfix · Encom · Walker Transport (Ireland) · Epic Management · Belfast Harbour

A Special Award

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of an RYANI Hall of Fame award to Geraldine Duggan, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to helping people with disabilities get afloat through her incredible work with Belfast Lough Sailability. A truly well-deserved honour!

"This anniversary is a celebration of partnership. Thanks to our funders, supporters, volunteers and participants, we've been able to open up accessible boating to thousands of people and change lives over the past 25 years."

Andy Bisp, BLS Chair

The Next Chapter

Twenty-five years on, our fleet is stronger, our volunteer community is larger, and our partnerships run deeper than ever. The next chapter of inclusive sailing on Belfast Lough starts now.