Building community and empowering young people in Ireland

Founded in 2015, Safe Haven Ireland is a charitable community organisation that provides sailing opportunities for young people aged 12 to 25. Our mission is to foster integration and youth development through shared experiences on the water.

We envision an Ireland with strong integrated communities — where every young person feels empowered to thrive.

“I’ve been sailing for almost three years, I really love it.” - Tyler (participant)

“The Safe Haven group gave me more opportunities. My sister and me came down to the sailing club, I started sailing about three years ago. It was all new for me, I’m from South Africa and I wasn’t surrounded by the ocean and sea so it was a new experience. I fell in love with it.” - Seyi (participant)

Our voyages

We bring together young people from diverse backgrounds, including those from ethnic minority and migrant communities, prioritising those who have experienced the asylum system in Ireland.  We offer places to Irish-national participants, who would not otherwise have this kind of opportunity.

The trainees in each group come together to undertake the experience of a lifetime: a week or more at sea as the crew of a yacht or Tall Ship.

During their time on board the participants learn how to sail a ship and how to navigate in challenging Irish coastal waters, making their own decisions about what course to plot over the week. In the process they learn the vital importance of working as a team 24-hours a day, as they take the helm, raise and lower sails, stand watches, cook for each other and keep the vessel ship-shape. Each group of young people step onto the boat as its passengers and disembark as its crew.

Beyond sailing skills, the experience fosters strong friendships, cross-cultural understanding, and life skills that last far beyond the voyage. Together they forge a new vision for their shared futures on the island of Ireland.

“A couple of years ago when I really didn’t feel like playing football anymore and wanted to try some new, it was recommended to me. That was about five years ago now. Its really nice to get into, its fun out there! I used to be scared of the water, until my first half sized drills. I was there, yelling and screaming, and then I got used to it. It’s fun, it’s peaceful.” Jerome (participant)

Community Projects

Safe Haven Ireland aims to build capacity in other organisations where we can, connecting them with members of Ireland's new communities to help realise our vision of a truly diverse, modern Ireland. We have inspired and helped to facilitate projects in the following areas: Art, Theatre, Sports and Climate Change Youth Exchange.

In addition to creating our own integration / youth development projects, we encourage the young people we work with to get involved in wider Irish society. We act as a bridge between our participants and other organisations, actively striving to disseminate information and make connections with the underlying aim of encouraging integration more widely.

Participation in our programmes often sparks lasting connections:

• Former participants have joined local rowing and football clubs through connections made on board.

• One trainee was appointed Youth Ambassador on the National Youth Council of Sail Training Ireland, becoming the only member from a non-Irish background.

These outcomes highlight the lasting integration and youth development benefits that emerge from our sailing projects.

Our Commitment

Safe Haven Ireland is a registered charity (CHY No. 20105471) guided by openness, transparency, and accountability.

We adhere to policies on data protection, child safeguarding, and gender equality, ensuring all our programmes are safe, inclusive, and equitable. Our work aims to empower young people, strengthen communities, and create a more integrated Ireland.

“Its my first time sailing this year and I found it really interesting and a nice opportunity to have a chance and opportunity. Today we were racing on the lake with people, and I found it to be a great opportunity to meet new people and talk with them.” - Mohammed (participant)

Meet our team

Our Partners

We collaborate with local youth organisations and migrant charities who nominate participants for our programmes. Our partners include:

• Foróige

• CRIB Project Sligo

• NASC

• Irish Refugee Council

• Immigrant Council of Ireland

• Dublin City Council International Youth Club

• Swan Youth Centre

• Bradog Youth Services

• Cork Life Centre

• Crosscare

• European Youth in Migration Forum (EYMF)

• Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG.

• Summerhill College Sligo

• Mercy College Sligo

• Kinsale OEC

• Diversity Sligo

Our Volunteers

Safe Haven Ireland could not operate without our dedicated volunteers. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributes their time, skills, and energy to support our work.

Volunteers who have assisted us over the years include:
Samantha Arnold, Diego Castillo, Paula Quirke, Greta Keegan, Alina Przybyl, Lye Ogunsanya, Lucia Smyth, Tom Adams, Anna Bates, Dara Flynn, Simon MacSuibhne, Nancy Rooney, Kylie Kelly, Joe Keenan, Declan Brennan, Pat Tuohy.

Executive Committee & Board Members

Executive Committee:

• Nancy Rooney

• Shauna Fallon

• Diego Castillo Goncalves

• Sharon Mitcheson

THANK YOU!

Irish Sailing, Sport Ireland, RTE Late Late Toy Show, Sligo Sport & Recreation