Haughey’s Celtic Mist to ride the waves once more

THE new owners of Charlie Haughey’s Celtic Mist are planning to showcase the re-fitted yacht on a three-week voyage around Ireland in June.

The 52ft ketch was donated to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group by the former taoiseach’s family last April.

The group said it is on course to complete a €50,000 refurbishment in time to take to the seas on June 7.

The group’s coordinator, Dr Simon Berrow, said it would be a fitting gesture to the Haughey family to parade the late taoiseach’s beloved yacht around the Irish coastline in his honour.

They have picked that date as a tribute to the former taoiseach, as it marks the 21st anniversary of his declaration of Ireland as a whale and dolphin sanctuary.

“I was one of the people who approached him back in 1991 and it was just 94 days after we proposed it that he came back with a positive answer. It was a quick turnaround, but not surprising because he had such an interest in the sea,” said Dr Berrow.

“The launch will take place from our base in Kilrush, Co Clare and we plan a three-week sail, stopping off at various ports around the coast showing her off, and after that she’ll be spending most of the time in Irish and British waters and even going up to France.”