Forward Emphasis International, one of Inishowen’s largest employers, with their Headquarters in Malin Head have just announced their partnership with the Ireland to Italy Ocean Rowing Expedition as their replica “Forward Emphasis” raft gets ready to participate in the Malin RNLI Raft Race this Sunday 30th July. Stephen McGonagle, Kyle Cooke, Peter McCallion, Dara McLaughlin, Stuart Edge & Emmett Doyle are the brave FEI Team Members who will take part in the Raft Race on Sunday with FEI proud to be involved within their local Community and delighted to support such a fantastic cause which has been so critical in our community over the years.

Over the next two and a half years, FEI are the main sponsor for the Ireland to Italy Ocean Rowing Expedition. They will be supporting the Ireland to Italy team including Belfast natives Jack Norris, Aidan O’Reilly & Ciaran Breslin in their massive feat to complete a number of world firsts, vying for Guinness World Records. In 2024, they aim to be the first team to row around Ireland and, the following year, they want to be the first crew to make the 2,700 mile journey from Ireland to Italy. Both voyages will be unsupported, with the Ireland to Italy expedition in 2025 estimated to take a total of four months to complete.

The Ireland to Italy team has just taken ownership of “Forward Emphasis”, the boat which will become their home in both 2024 and 2025 for their respective journeys, with training due to start this Summer.

CEO, Fiona Burns said “We are so proud to be involved in this momentous feat of endurance. It aligns with our company values and ethos and over the next couple of years we will be rolling out a number of employee initiatives, with a focus on wellbeing and adventure, dreaming big, striving for the best and challenging ourselves but most importantly on team building and fun. We are also delighted to be participating in the Raft Race this weekend. Our community is important to us, we are immensely proud of where we are from and always happy to support such a worthwhile cause.”

FEI look forward to taking you all with them on this expedition. Follow FEI @forwardemphasisinternational for updates and you can follow the Ireland to Italy team @irelandtoitaly.

Come to Malin on Sunday 30th July to support the Malin RNLI Raft Race and the FEI Team. Forward Emphasis will be giving away some freebies, so make sure you come find them on the day!