The Jack Charlton disabled angling competition is a fishing competition held at Bantry in south west Ireland yearly. Set up to get more disabled people into angling the competition, patroned by Jack Charlton gets disabled anglers from all over Ireland and the united kingdom together fishing. April 2005 was the first time I had attended the competition and what an experience!

I got involved to go to the event by a close friend, the owner of ‘Silver Creek UK’ and ‘Ultimate Fishing Supplies’ who has helped at the event for years by giving the anglers equipment to fish with. The day began at 11am and after a long breakfast we all headed down to the lake and spread out- the English on one side, the Irish on the other, all different ages. It only took five minutes before cheering and shouting led to the first fish being caught on the Irish side. Wow- what an experience! Were they bothered about having the correct skills to land the fish? No. Did they have a clue what they were doing? No, and did they care? No. After all it was all about the fun of it, the fun going fishing brings and what we should do it for. I’d never seen this before myself. I mean, to me fishing has always been fun but these people were really enjoying themselves, a day out, one young lad had stayed up all night and when I mentioned he looked tired all he said was ‘they only let me out every so often so im gonna make the most of being here.’

The day went really well, everyone caught and the faces on some of the youngsters was magic! One little lad, Ruduah was fishing with his father and had such a fantastic time. He didn’t let the fact that he was wheelchair bound and without the use of his legs bother him or affect his enjoyment. He must have only been eight years old or so and still seemed quite happy in himself. I think that one thing my adventures in Ireland have taught me is never to complain. People complain too much about the smallest of things when, in the great scheme of things their not really that important. We always want more than we have but more is never enough. One guy, Willy had a great day out, his smile lit up the lake and brought tears to my eyes. He was one great guy having a wail of a time!

The day ended almost as soon as it had begun and we all headed in for the weight-in, smiles a-glow. Some big fish were caught and there were prizes to be claimed all round that night. Following the competition came the evening presentation, beginning with a meal and then a disco. How amazing to see the disabled people dancing and how I wished all the people I knew could have been their witnessing it for themselves. I often see disabled people on the street in my home town, occasionally at school or at the shops, but never have a seen them dance! How fantastic they were, the youngsters grooving it up on the dancefloor, young Ruduah even asked me to dance! Believe me, he was a better dancer than me!

I was sad to leave Ireland and leave all the friends I had made. Ireland, April 2005 is something I will never forget, I will definatley be back again next year, I just wish more people could see such an amazing thing.