Both boys are passionate sailing enthusiasts and they have now set themselves the challenge of preparing for and participating in the Fastnet Race where they will helm a racing yacht with a crew of seven others. As they only communicate using sign language and text, the Conor and Eoin Fastnet Challenge will put them in the history books as the first ever sailors with non- verbal autism to helm a yacht in this world-famous boat race.

Conor and Eoin are now on a fundraising drive to raise €50,000 to cover the costs associated with preparing for and entering what is one of the classic big offshore races – the Fastnet – which is testing of both inshore and offshore skills, boat and crew teamwork and speed over water. In addition to raising funds for their Fastnet entry, the boys are hoping to raise funds to support local autism projects.

Conor and Eoin were born with profound non-verbal Autism and when they were seven years of age their parents Enda and Val, gave up their secure jobs in Galway and moved to California in search of access to the latest science and expertise in achieving the best possible outcomes for their children. While in America the boys started to develop skills as software programmers and on returning to Ireland they now work with their dad in the Research and Innovation Hub at the University of Galway where the twins are using Disney Toy Story clips to develop visual teaching tools for children with Autism, helping them to connect pictures with language.

Speaking about this challenge, Enda said “time and time again the boys show us that despite disability there is always hope that great things are possible and I hope their achievements can help create this belief for other parents of children with Autism.”