A unique collaboration between Sanctuary Runners and Canoeing Ireland is bringing a powerful message of inclusion and community onto the water — offering a new model of integration through sport.
On Thursday, 28th August, participants from Sanctuary Runners — including people seeking international protection — travelled from across the country to join a special paddle session in Dublin. Hosted by Canoeing Ireland, the on-water experience marked a celebration of the Sanctuary Paddlers programme and the community it’s already building nationwide.
The event, held at Canoeing Ireland’s training centre, was an extension of Sanctuary Runners’ mission: to build friendships and solidarity across communities through shared physical activity — no matter your nationality, legal status, or life experience.
As Mbali, a participant from Sanctuary Runners Dublin, shared:
“Some people are kind of depressed out there. But when we are here, we are family, and we meet different people, different cultures. We learn a lot from them.”
That same sense of belonging and emotional uplift is echoed by Marvin, a participant from Sanctuary Runners Galway:
“I would say it’s an uplifting environment. You might be weighed down by things — work-related or personal — but when you arrive at the centre, people greet you with smiles.”
Marvin is also involved in the Sanctuary Paddlers programme in Galway, in collaboration with Galway Kayak Club, where the focus on community continues beyond running and onto the water:
“We have games when we get onto the water, waiting for the kayak, but these aren’t just games; they’re a way for us to bond with one another. People begin to share their experiences, and that’s both motivating and impactful in its own way.”
A national model expanding beyond land
The Sanctuary Runners’ integration-through-sport model is now expanding beyond running, inspiring new collaborations like the Sanctuary Paddlers program. Jennifer O’Brien, Head of Community Development at Sanctuary Runners, highlights the core of this approach:
“The sanctuary model makes real the idea of integration and solidarity through sport. When you make the positive choice to go and engage — to introduce people to something you love — that contact creates community. It reduces prejudice.”
This spirit of inclusion and community-building is echoed by Emer Carton, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Canoeing Ireland, who shares how Sanctuary Runners’ established community brought new energy to the paddling scene:
“It’s been amazing to see participants, many of whom have been part of Sanctuary Runners for a long time, come together to try paddling — a new sport for many — with such excitement and joy. Sanctuary Runners already had a strong sense of community, and bringing that into paddling has been inspiring for everyone involved.”
Emer also explains how Canoeing Ireland saw the potential in partnering with Sanctuary Runners:
“When we saw what Sanctuary Runners was doing, we were inspired to bring paddle sports into that model. Kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding are incredibly accessible, with options for therapeutic use, recreation, adventure, and competition — truly a sport for everyone. That’s why we reached out to Jennifer and the team to create Sanctuary Paddlers and grow this inclusive approach across multiple clubs nationwide.”
Together, these insights show how the Sanctuary model’s success is helping to open new doors, making sport more accessible, welcoming, and unifying across different communities. Coordinated by Canoeing Ireland’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Emily Rice — who has worked closely with clubs to engage new participants — the Sanctuary Paddlers programme has been active across four clubs nationally since March this year, engaging over 290 participants, from ages 5 to 60+. Many are now enjoying the water regularly, completing skills courses, and becoming full club members. The four clubs leading the way in this programme are Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club, Kerry Canoe Club, Moy Canoe Club, and Galway Kayak Club.
This work has been made possible through the generous support of several organisations. We would especially like to thank Sport Ireland, who funded the initiative through the Dormant Accounts Fund, as well as the Local Sports Partnerships in Mayo, Kerry, Kilkenny, and Galway, Kilkenny LEADER Partnership under SICAP, and the Bridge Project – Galway City Partnership. These partners have not only helped fund local activities but have also supported their sustainability for the long term.
We want to extend a huge thank you to all clubs and volunteers involved — your time, energy, and commitment have been vital to making this programme thrive.
In Dublin last week, we gathered as a team and invited participants from both Sanctuary Runners and Sanctuary Paddlers to celebrate and share their experiences with paddle sports — highlighting the transformative power of sport in building community, resilience, and joy.
Full video capturing our latest event in Dublin available here.
About Canoeing Ireland
Canoeing Ireland is the national governing body for paddle sports in Ireland, promoting kayaking, canoeing, and SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) for recreation, competition, and community development.
www.canoe.ie | @CanoeingIreland
For Media Enquiries or Images:
- Berta Quiñonero, Communications & Advocacy Manager
berta@sanctuaryrunners.ie - Sam Curtis, Communications Executive
s.curtis@canoe.ie