Blind golf competition is teed up

A COMPETITION aimed at encouraging young people with vision impairments to learn more about the sport of Blind Golf has been launched.

Vision Sports Ireland and Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association are inviting children living on the island of Ireland who are registered blind or vision impaired, to participate in a competition. 

The James Joyce Art and Essay competition was launched in Fingal County Council’s headquarters in Swords. 

It is hoped the competition will inspire young people to get involved in Blind Golf and it is being run in conjunction with the 2019 ISPS Handa Vision Cup.

The International Blind Golf Association event is being hosted in Ireland this year. It will include 12 of the best blind golfers from North America who will take on 12 of the best from around the world in a Ryder Cup style competition. The Vision Cup will be held at Portmarnock Golf Links, between June 18 and 20. 

Entrants for the James Joyce Art and Essay Competition must be aged between 9-12-years-old on May 31. Young people with Vision Impairment wishing to participate should either write an essay or create an art piece focusing on sport and leisure for people with low vision.

The ISPS Handa World Vision Cup 2019 will officially be opened on June 16, a date otherwise known as Bloomsday, made famous by James Joyce. 

Joyce endured significant sight loss during his life and had a number of different eye problems including iritis (a painful inflammation of the iris), glaucoma, cataracts, and conjunctivitis. In 1917 he had the first of 11 operations on his eyes. 

Examining Joyce’s medical history, doctors today think his eye problems might have come from a condition called Reiter’s disease.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Anthony Lavin said he is delighted that the council can support this wonderful initiative.

“I hope it will encourage young people with vision impairment to become more interested and active in sport,” he said.

“It is an honour to be hosting the ISPS Handa World Vision Cup in Fingal in June and I want to wish all at Vision Sports Ireland and Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association the very best success.”

Fingal County Council, chief executive Paul Reid said: “Sports, art and culture play a huge role in society. The Vision Cup is a great example of them all working in harmony and just one of the many projects we're supporting in 2019. 

“We're delighted to be able to renew our partnership with Vision Sports Ireland and the Irish Blind Golf Association.”

National Development Officer for Vision Sports Ireland Joe Geraghty said: “I want to thank most sincerely the council for helping us launch the inaugural James Joyce Arts and Essay competition and for their continued support as we move towards The Vision Cup in June 2019.”

World-renowned artist Jim Fitzpatrick will be the principle judge of the art element of the competition. 

“It was a privilege to be involved with this important awareness building project, encouraging young people with vision impairment to become active and involved in sporting activities,” said Mr Fitzpatrick.