The Foyers close links with its Northern Ireland counterparts provided the first opportunity for five Foyer residents to share their cultural differences with five Foyer residents from Strand Foyer in Derry. The joint sailing adventure organised through Ocean Youth Trust allowed residents and staff to take charge of a 70 foot yacht where they prepared and ate meals together, and worked as a team sailing the yacht to desired destinations around Northern Ireland. Each resident was given training by the crew in sailing techniques, and they were also given the opportunity to see various places in Northern Ireland which included Bangor and Glenarm.

What the residents had to say:

"I felt good that I was able to go as it was a break from Cork. I was nervous at the start of the trip as I can’t swim but being on a boat grew on me and I had a life jacket so that made me feel more comfortable, I even had it on when I was sleeping. I found our tasks hard but I enjoyed them like tacking and gypping. It was hard enough cause it takes a lot of team work to change direction of the sails when it had to be done fast. I found sailing peaceful, listening to the sea it helped me relax.

I also enjoyed going to different places like Glen Arm and Bangor seeing different forts. I was frustrated coming back because I had to go on a plane and I was not looking forward to it because I was afraid of flying. It was not peaceful like when I was on the boat for a week. From doing the trip I learnt that I would like to be able to swim for future trips so I can enjoy sailing more next time"

"I really enjoyed the sailing trip, I learnt how to sail a boat that I thought was cool. I met new people from a different Foyer and I enjoyed eating and sharing meals with them.

It was a good laugh, I learnt how to put the sails up and down to move the boat and to keep it still. I was glad I went on the trip and I thought it was cool to see different parts of Northern Ireland".

Cork Foyer is already in the process of arranging a second trip to Belfast in September 2008, after which we are hoping to repay their northern hospitality with a return visit to Cork.