Christmas Tree Lighting in Galway City


ISHKA Irish Spring Water sponsored Christmas Tree lighting in Galway City sends out an essential green message This spectacular Christmas lighting design on the historic wooden sailing ship Ilen may well be the greenest in Ireland. Ireland’s last surviving wooden cargo vessel has been illuminated on its seasonal visit to Galway docks. And the display, … Continue reading Christmas Tree Lighting in Galway City

That’s a wrap on Limerick Mental Health Week 2021


Our 56ft-restored trading ketch Ilen of 1926 vintage is already renowned for her excellent wellness and recovery programme work. It’s one of the ship’s many interests that were vividly high-lighted at her home port when she and the city’s waterfront at Steamboat Quay were floodlit in green to launch Mental Health Week. The Mayor of … Continue reading That’s a wrap on Limerick Mental Health Week 2021

Heritage Council – Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2020


We were very grateful to receive a grant from the Heritage Council to conserve and refurbish Ilen’s accommodation areas in October/November 2020. Though relaunched in 2018, the memory of which has not dimmed, the Ilen has had a very active operational life. What between two Atlantic crossings, numerous coastal and day trips, visitor open days, … Continue reading Heritage Council – Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2020

Community & Cargo 2020


The Ilen Marine School’s – Community and Cargo 2020 Programme continues. Transportation of cargo to coastal communities was the original purpose of our flagship (floating Classroom) Ilen. Consequently, late last year, pre-pandemic, we decided to recommence her seaborne cargo trade which had come to an end sometime in the early 1980s. We planned to do … Continue reading Community & Cargo 2020

How to Make an Ilen Flipbook


Abbey Fishermen poling their traditional Angling Cot (brocaun) on the River Shannon, Limerick City Download the guide on the link below and make the Ilen flipbook in three easy steps. You could even use as inspiration for making your own flipbook animation. Download the flipbook template here

Boat Craft Competition


The good ship Ilen and her crew, like all of us, must for now stay home. Happily, the Ilen crew have embarked on a fun voyage of the imagination. It’s a boat craft and home voyage which we invite you to come on board with. Ilen Salmon’s Wake Tetra Pak Boat Craft Competition Please download … Continue reading Boat Craft Competition

JP McManus ProAm Pre Qualifier


JP McManus ProAm’s much anticipated return this summer will see Tiger Woods and a host of other household names join forces to raise money for charity. July 6-7th 2020 will be the sixth staging of the JP McManus Pro-Am. The Ilen Project is pleased to be hosting a JP McManus ProAM Golf Pre-Qualifier fundraiser this April for the event … Continue reading JP McManus ProAm Pre Qualifier

Limerick City honours Ilen Project at Mayoral Reception


The Ilen Project was celebrated by Limerick City and County Council with a Mayoral Reception at its chambers on Merchants Quay last Monday evening It was a cozy gathering that saw in attendance many principal individuals, who for over the past 20 years were complicit in its genesis, it’s intermediate stages, and in recent years the achievement of … Continue reading Limerick City honours Ilen Project at Mayoral Reception

Heritage award for Ilen restoration project


Limerick’s Ilen Project this week picked up the Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland’s Award – Best Restoration of 2019 for its management of the rebuilt sailing ship Ilen and its community education work in Limerick. The Association’s President Paul McMahon presented the award at the IHAI Awards 2019 in the ESB Archive Building, Finglas. The … Continue reading Heritage award for Ilen restoration project

All Decked Out! – Ilen’s traditional decking out ceremony


Last Saturday the final deck plank on the sailing vessel Ilen was laid at a traditional decking out ceremony, in Hegarty’s Boatyard, Skibbereen. The ceremony, hosted by the Ilen Project, Limerick, marked a significant milestone in a re-build project whose primary goal is to bring Ireland’s sole surviving wooden sailing ship back to Limerick. The … Continue reading All Decked Out! – Ilen’s traditional decking out ceremony