Waterways Ireland Education Programme Launched
Minister Ruairi Quinn T.D. and Minister Jimmy Deenihan T.D. launched the Waterways Ireland Education Programme at the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre, in the Grand Canal Basin, Ringsend, Dublin.
Accompanied by Waterways Ireland Chief Executive John Martin, Minister Ruairi Quinn T.D highlighted the role of education in delivering culturally and socially aware young people. The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, said, “Education plays a central role in delivering culturally and socially aware young people. The Waterways Ireland Education Programme provides an excellent way for students to engage in the fascinating history of our Waterways and to encourage them to use this wonderful resource. “
Minister Jimmy Deenihan T.D complimented Waterways Ireland for their foresight in linking this rich literary, historical, environment of our inland waterways to our young people through this education programme. He stated “Targeting the future leaders currently in 5th and 6th class, is an ideal way of ensuring a deep personal engagement by every one of our young people in protecting and using the waterways fruitfully in the future.”
John Martin, Waterways Ireland Chief Executive, thanked Éanna Rowe, Waterways Ireland Head of Marketing & Communications and his team for the development of the Education Progamme, a key strand in the corporate strategy for the organisation. “Capturing history through the Waterways Ireland archive, and the expertise and knowledge of current staff and through the use of online and offline resources, Waterways Ireland has presented a programme capable of fulfilling a range of curriculum needs in Ireland both North and South. This holistic approach will effectively engage the education sector and reinforce the progress made by Waterways Ireland since 1999 in establishing the Inland Waterways as a major asset to the people young and old.”
The Waterways Ireland Education Programme has been developed by Waterways Ireland’s Marketing & Communications Division. Education within the organisation is a key strategy in engaging young people in understanding the waterways; and fulfilling the remit to promote increased use of the waterways. The Programme will be rolled out to schools along the waterway corridor initially and will then be spread further afield. The programme has online resources available through www.waterwaysireland.org and an off-line teachers resource pack. For further information contact the Education Officer Manus Tiernan on +353 71 96 50625 or by email to Manus.tiernan@waterwaysireland.org.
