The 130-year-old ship with a contemporary mission
Leader – a tall ship built in 1892 – will provide hands-on heritage boat experience while studying the impact of micro plastics in the local waters.
It is a survivor of the fleets that once fished the Irish sea. Now, thanks to a £245,000 Heritage Fund grant, Leader is becoming a familiar site in Northern Ireland’s ports again.
Silvery Light Sailing, a charity in Northern Ireland, acquired the ship as the centrepiece of a project that will:
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preserve and promote the area’s rich maritime and fishing heritage
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provide volunteer opportunities on Leader and other heritage boats
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teach heritage boat skills and offer hands-on sailing trips
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use traditional trawling methods to collect micro plastics in the local waters and teach the community about their impacts
Explore our funding opportunities
Has the Leader project inspired you to preserve your heritage? Find out what we fund and how you can apply for a grant.