This September will see the 51st Federation Internationale de la Peche Sportive en Mer (FIPS-M, International Federation of Sea Angling) World Boat Angling Championships take place at Bundoran and Mullaghmore from the 12th to 20th Sept. The Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (IFSA) clubs & membership are delighted to welcome to Ireland the world’s sea angling teams. Fourteen countries are taking part, including Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Wales and of course Ireland. The area is already a hive of activity as many teams have already arrived to practice, some bringing family along too to cheer on and join in on the festivities, while others choosing to holiday in the location after the event. The competition to hold this prestigious event was highly competitive, therefore the IFSA are delighted they have been chosen to host it as it is both a great honour and a great opportunity to promote the northwest and indeed Ireland and its tourism product as a whole.
This international event takes place on the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way in particular the Donegal Bay area where all participants will be presented with not only tremendous sport fishing but spectacular scenery. The base for the competition is Bundoran in Co. Donegal, with daily departures from Mullaghmore harbour in Co. Sligo. There are likely to be some larger fish such as Rays, Huss and Tope (sharks) on offer with the majority of the catch being made up of Pollack, Wrasse and Ling. The event is proving to be a huge boost to the local economy. It is estimated that the competition will result in 1000 bed nights for the area, while many local businesses ranging from restaurants to bait suppliers are also benefitting. The local charter boat fleet is providing the many boats required for the competition and for media. This is a good news story for the area and the local people who we have worked closely with all along are eager to show what great amenities are on offer in this part of the country. Inland Fisheries Ireland are the main sponsors of the event.

Tom Lilis Chair IFSA explains “We in the I.F.S.A. are grateful to Federation Internationale de la Peche Sportive en Mer for the trust they have placed in us by allowing us, on their behalf, to host the 51st. World Championships of Boat Angling. We have called on many people and organisations, locally and nationally to assist us in creating an event which will be memorable for all the right reasons. Two local clubs, Mullaghmore SAC in County Sligo and Bundoran SAC in County Donegal are jointly working on the hosting of the event together with the National Organising Committee and they have assured us that all the local politicians, County Councillors and staff together with Tourism Agencies, businesses and the entire local communities are excited by the opportunity to showcase the unique treasures of the North West.” The IFSA aims are to develop, foster and control the sport of Sea Angling in Ireland. To act and speak on behalf of Sea Angling in Ireland and where such interests are involved, with similar organisations in other countries. To make rules governing the sport of Sea Angling, particularly in festivals and competitions of all kinds. The IFSA consists of four Provincial Councils: Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connaught. Governed by a Central Council made up of elected National Officers and Officers from each Province. Subject to AGM
Focussing on the Irish team, each angler qualified through the ranks of their Club, this brought them to the National Master Boat Angler competition. On achieving a top 12 place in the Master Boat Angler this entitled them to fish the Team Qualifiers and as such make the Team by gaining a top 6 place. Anglers work hard for many years to achieve this high level and a strong Team has emerged by way of this arduous and effective process. The Team led by captain Tony Santry and Manager Kit Dunne have planned, researched and practiced hard since November 2014, with numerous meetings and practice weekends, complimented by their own respective fine tuning, a lot of work has been put in by every angler. The Team : Tony Santry (Captain), Heiko Dreier, John Dennehey, Josie Barrett, Dan Lynch, Anthony Austin, Dave Roe, Kit Dunne (Manager).
Eva Dearie, Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way Programme Manager said “We are delighted to be supporting the World Boat Angling Championships here in Sligo and Donegal on the Wild Atlantic Way. With over 1,000 bed nights generated from this event, Donegal and Sligo will benefit from this high profile event which is a major item on the World Sport fishing calendar where participants can look forward to Ireland’s exceptional fishing, spectacular scenery, friendly welcome and high-quality food, accommodation and entertainment. The event will begin with an opening ceremony in Bundoran which will see the flags of each nation hoisted for the duration. From Sunday, the competition begins in earnest with anglers setting off from Mullaghmore each day in order to bring the title home to their country. We wish all our visitors here to compete in these Championships a Ceád Míle Fáilte and hope they return to our shores in the future.”

On Sunday the 13th the opening ceremony commences with the teams flag parade through Bundoran, with attendance of local dignitaries and government ministers, the coast guard, defence forces and the RNLI. On Friday the 18th we have the medal presentation, gala dinner and closing ceremony. Shane Smyth, Bundoran Tourism Officer at Discover Bundoran said “this is a huge event for the area and we are thrilled to be supporting it. We are blessed with the angling amenities that we have in such close proximity – sea, lake and river and we look forward to welcoming competitors from 14 nations to take part in this prestigious competition.”

The EU Interreg funded MalinWaters brand support of the World Boat Angling Championships is in keeping with their commitment to nurturing the development of marine and coastal activity such as angling, in the MalinWaters regions. MalinWaters wish all those taking part the very best of luck and we look forward to many more angling events. The World Boat Angling Championships are already a significant addition to the MalinWaters maritime calendar of events for 2015. Representing MalinWaters, Joy Harron, Marine Marketing & Development Officer for Donegal Tourism Ltd said “the World Boat Angling Championships encapsulate all that is great about our shared MalinWaters regions of Donegal and Sligo in terms of the excellent world class angling opportunities and the wealth of local maritime culture, MalinWaters are delighted to support the event and we look forward to welcoming teams from around the world to the Wild Atlantic Way”.

Our organisers, partners and sponsors will soon extend a céad míle fáilte when our local clubs Mullaghmore SAC and Bundoran SAC and the local charter boat fleets will present to the world the treasures of the North West of Ireland in what we hope will be a truly memorable championships.

Please follow the championships on the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/seaanglingIFSA with further details on the event itself available at www.discoverbundoran.com/angling