First Irish Underwater Council courses in Ireland

The Irish Underwater Council, Ireland National Governing Body for Underwater Sports, ran a pilot NAS Introduction course and Part I course on the 15th and 16th August 2015 in their offices located in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin with in water practice of classroom skills carried out at nearby Sandycove beach. Participants included members of the Kish, Hook, Cork and University College Dublin (UCD) Sub-Aqua Clubs.  

The courses were taught by three new Irish tutors – Bairbre Mullee from University College Dublin Sub-Aqua Club, Sandra Henry from University of Ulster and Claire Kavanagh from Atlantis Sub-Aqua Club.

Big thanks are also due to Catherine Connors for travelling all the way from Normandy to take part both as student and tutor on the course.  

A delegation from Kish SAC will be taking a trip to Normandy in mid-September 2015 to undertake fieldwork with Catherine, putting their new skills into practical use. 

Members of the Irish Underwater Council have undertaken NAS activities as far back as the 1980’s and a licence has recently been taken on by the Council to run courses nationwide in Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Courses will be open to all, members and non-members of the Council and also to interested non-divers.  

It is hoped this will be the first of many successful courses and initiatives run by the Irish Underwater Council in association with the NAS.  

For those interested in future courses please keep an eye on the Council’s website http://diving.ie or contact louise@diving.ie

Via Nautical Archaeology News