Speech by President Connolly at the Opening of the Watersports Inclusion Games
Galway, 11 July 2026
A Chairde Uaisle,
Tá fíor-áthas orm a bheith anseo ag Geata Ghasóga na Mara chun Cluichí Spórt Uisce do Chách 2026 a oscailt go hoifigiúil.
Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le Louise Kane as ucht an chuiridh.
My thanks to Mayor of Galway, Helen Ogbu, for the warm welcome.
I am delighted to be here today to open the 8th Watersports Inclusion Games. In the nine years since the inaugural event in Dún Laoghaire in 2017, these wonderful Games have taken place all over the country - on lakes and the sea. This year marks the second time that Galway will host the event.
I would like to acknowledge the tremendous work of Irish Sailing who, through funding from Sport Ireland and in association with Canoeing Ireland and Diving Ireland, have created this now annual event.
This year’s Games could not have happened without the collaboration of Galway Local Sports Partnership, Galway Sea Scouts, Galway Hooker Sailing Club, Galway City Sailing Club and Galway Bay Sailing Club, and the support of so many other organisations and clubs from all around the country.
Of course, at the heart of this wonderful event are the nearly 300 participants and 200 volunteers – a ratio of almost one to one - who make these Games so unique. Whether you are here to try something new or develop your skills, or giving your time to pass on your experience, this weekend is a celebration of all of you.
Standing here, by the Galway Sea Scouts’ Den, their founder, Captain William Woolley comes to mind. A man who dedicated his life not only to navigation and seamanship, but to the training of those who came after him, his legacy lives on in the spirit of adventure and skill-sharing that we see here today.
From kayaking to canoeing, fast boat rides to water skiing, sailing, and a sensory area, the range of activities on offer – free of charge – shows us what is possible when equality and accessibility are built in.
I would like to pay tribute to this year’s Ambassador, Mark Henderson, who in 2023 became the first wheelchair user to complete the Liffey Descent, paddling the 30-kilometre course. Now leading the work on equality, diversity and inclusion at Canoeing Ireland, I would like to thank you for your dedication and commitment.
Is ardú meanma dom an réimse leathan imeachtaí uisce atá ar fáil ar bhealach fáilteach, ionchuimsitheach agus insroichte do chuile dhuine is cuma an á dtriail don chéad uair atá siad nó an saineolaithe iad.
Is breá, freisin, go bhfuil teaghlaigh iomlána, tuismitheoirí, páistí agus peataí cabhracha ábalta sult agus spraoi a bhaint as na cluichí seo le chéile.
Ar ndóigh, is acmhainn draíochtúil é an uisce.
We are very fortunate to have this wonderful gift available to us so freely in Galway Bay.
A source of life and a force of nature, the water is a world unto itself. Expansive, deep and mysterious, the sea both draws us in and gives a sense of freedom. Its rhythms enable us to move in new and different ways; a sensory experience like no other. Engaging respectfully with the water allows us to connect with, and deepen our understanding of, the wonder of the natural world.
On or in the water, the troubles we face on land fade away, for a time at least.
In that moment, there are more pressing matters that demand our focus – the wind; the tides; the task at hand; our breathing. It is somewhat ironic that the water, which carries us along on its unyielding current, taking us out of our element, also grounds us.
Cleansed, challenged and invigorated, we return to shore with new energy.
Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh ar fad sult agus tairbhe as na himeachtaí agus as an gcomhluadar i rith na deireadh seachtaine.
Tá mise ag tnúth go mór le dul amach ar an uisce ar cheann de Húicéirí iomráiteacha na Gaillimhe.
Go n-éirí an t-ádh libh.