PRESS RELEASE FROM 19th JANUARY 2015

As of the 16 January 2015, the Irish Underwater Council (Comhairle Fo-Thuinn – CFT) will be an official Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) International Training Partner and will integrate the NAS training programme into its existing portfolio of diving and snorkelling courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

CFT is the national governing body for scuba diving, snorkelling and associated sports in

Ireland.

The NAS training programme will assist CFT in raising awareness of Ireland’s rich maritime

heritage, which includes many lake and river sites in addition to marine wrecks. Ireland has a

vast array of submerged archaeological resources and these courses will provide a strong

foundation and framework for the development of educational programming for those with a

general interest in marine and underwater archaeology. It will also provide training for those

who desire to volunteer on archaeological projects organised by state bodies and other

organisations, both in Ireland and internationally. The courses may be of interest to non-divers.

CFT plans to begin offering NAS training activities in early 2015 in both the Republic of Ireland

and in Northern Ireland. Courses will be promoted via the CFT website, www.diving.ie and

CFT members will be able to book via the CFT website.

Those who are not CFT members can book via Head Office on +353 1 284 4601 or by

emailing CFT through info@diving.ie

Contacts:

CFT – Louise Gilligan – info@diving.ie Tel: + 353 1 284 4601.

Nautical Archaeology Society – Mark Beattie-Edwards, NAS Programme Director,

mark@nauticalarchaeologysociety.org Tel: +44 (0)2392 818419.

For information relating to a recent club’s involvement with this programme please click HERE

The pictures below are from CFT member club, Blackwater SAC, who hosted the inaugural NAS course last weekend (17th / 18th January).