REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW BOATHOUSE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW BOATHOUSE FOR CARRICK-ON-SHANNON ROWING CLUB
I am delighted to be back in Carrick-on-Shannon again – and to return to one of my favourite spots on the shores of the Shannon – where I spent many a day as a child, looking at the boats and all the activity around the Rowing Club, in what seems to have been an age of eternal summers – and before any of us heard talk of the mysterious “El Nino” – that precocious child of the meteorological set, who seems to be the cause of all our troubles and woes this year – especially those of us who like to go boating on the Shannon during Carrick’s warm and sunny summers. The August Regatta was the high point of my own childhood. I can vividly recall the boats and the stalls - the sheer colour of those days – which is indelibly marked on my childhood’s happy memories – and which was captured by M.J. McManus, when he wrote “In August sunshine, the eights and the fours and the pleasure boats and the turf-cots competing on Carrick’s day of days”.
It is a particular joy and coincidence that today as we gather to celebrate the sport of rowing in Carrick on Shannon two of my own children are on their way home from a week long rowing course and I hope they’ll be on another visit her in the coming weeks.
Speaking of boats on the Shannon reminds me of the story about the two eager tourists that had “discovered” the joys of fishing while on holiday in Carrick. I can’t recall where they were from – or even what they did for a living – but they hired a small boat and set off for a day’s fishing not far from Carrick. Eventually, they struck gold and found a spot where there seems to have been as endless supply of fish. When they were returning the boat that evening, one turned to the other, and asked if he had marked the spot where they had stopped – so that they could return the following day. “Of course I did, sure didn’t I put a chalk mark on the side of the boat”. “My God!” says his friend, “you’re a terrible ‘eejit’ - sure we mightn’t be able to get the same boat again!”. Clearly the two weren’t natives of Carrick – they’d know enough to take the boat for two days! Maybe it is better to stick to rowing for its own sake rather than fishing!
As I said, I am delighted to be here in Carrick today at the Rowing Club – the second oldest in Ireland – and one of the oldest in the World. The opening of a new Clubhouse is always a happy occasion – and an occasion to look back at past glories and achievements. Quite a lot has changed since the Club was formed in 1836 – and this is the third Clubhouse. I don’t know what the requirement for membership was in earlier times – nor indeed what the calibre of the members was – but I strongly suspect that Black & Tans had a little difficulty with the Club – as they were driven to burning down an earlier boathouse! Carrick also has the distinction of being the first club to foster rowing for women – a decision that eventually paid off when Frances Cryan – a member of the Club – dominated ladies’ rowing in the 1970’s and 80’s – and represented Ireland so well at the Moscow Olympics.
The Rowing Club has been an integral part of community life here in Carrick – and the new Clubhouse is the result of a considerable amount of community effort. A project like this doesn’t just happen overnight – it involves a number of organisations and individuals playing their part – and supporting the greater community effort. I know that the members of the Club are very grateful for the LEADER Funding which they received – for the substantial contribution from the Ireland Fund – for the ongoing assistance, support and advice from FÁS – for the work that has been done on the slipways and grounds by the County Council – and for the generous support from commercial interests and the people of and from Carrick, without whose support and commitment this new Boathouse could not have become a reality. This partnership approach has paid remarkable dividends here – those who had the idea for a new boathouse – who hadn’t a penny, just an idea have now been well vindicated and rewarded. They have also grown in confidence and determination.
I am also aware that there are plans for even further developments – and to grow the business of “Tourowing” – on which the German Rowing Federation have been working with you already. This is a new and exciting development - and I understand that it has attracted interest and business from many countries – most recently from Canada. Clearly, the people of Carrick won’t be letting the grass grow under their feet - and with the success of this project – where you have drawn together those who can help with funding, advice and support – and those who are prepared to give their time and talent for the benefit of the entire community – you have proven that you are well able to paddle your own canoe. It has been a very successful project – and I know that you can build on that success to reach new horizons in the future. Many more generations of children will, like me and mine, know the joy of hearing the words the Carrick Regatta. They will have a store of lovely memories as I have thanks to you and your beautiful town.
In declaring the new boathouse open – I want to congratulate the Rowing Club – and the people of Carrick – and to wish you continued success with this and your future projects.