|
|
Glengad boat-builders ready to
launch
18.09.09
by Liam Porter, Inishowen
MONTHS of hard work by a group of boat builders in
Glengad will come to fruition this Sunday when the
group launch the two boats and two currachs they
have built since the start of the year.
Eight men from the locality ranging in age from
early twenties to mid fifties, took part in the
project promoted by Glengad Community Association
with the help of Inishowen Development Partnership
under the Salmon Hardship Fund.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent, John Bonner
one of the facilitators of the course, said that all
those involved were delighted with the project and
with the end results.
“We began back in March and the eight applicants,
with the guidance of retired boat builder, William
Bonner, set about building two Foyle Punts and two
currachs.”
According to John, some of the men involved were
ex-fishermen who had not worked with wood before,
yet they put in months of dedicated work to finish
the four fantastic vessels. |
 |
“The men were involved from start to finish, from
laying the keel to putting on the varnish and with
the help of William Bonner, myself and Tommy McClay
the other facilitator they produced vessels of great
quality. Everyone who has seen the boats agrees that
the workmanship is superb and that is very
pleasing.”
The project, said John, required a lot of dedication
and determination with three hours a night, three
days a week required from all of the men from March
until mid-August.
“I’d have to say that the men were brilliant. They
came along and got stuck into the work, even in the
middle of the summer when they could have been away
doing other things.”
The men used a template to build their Foyle Punts
while John described the currachs built as ‘Glengad
Currachs,’ explaining that they were designed
especially for the area.
The hope now is the project will help renew
enthusiasm for rowing in the area and the new boats
will be handed over by Glengad Community Association
to a new rowing club at next week’s launch.
“We’re hoping that a big crowd will come along on
Sunday to the pier around 2pm when we’re planning a
big fun day with something for everybody,” said
John.
One of the highlights of the day though will be a
number of rowing races between the newly formed
local club and members of the Moville rowing club.
“These men put in a lot of hard work and have built
really superb craft and it would be great if a large
crowd come out now to support their efforts at the
launch,” John concluded. |
|
