Inishowen has a
precious native boating tradition that mustn't be
allowed to die. That’s the message from a Moville
group who have undertaken an exciting project to
regenerate interest in the Foyle Class Punt.
The Foyle Class Punt is a boat with origins in the
great Viking ships of the 8th and 9th Centuries.
The Foyle Punt Association which recently secured
planning permission for a new boathouse in Moville,
will host its official launch on June 29th, in the
Inishowen Maritime Museum, Greencastle. The evening
will also double as a drive to attract more members
to the group.
"The Foyle Class Punt is a type of clinker-built
boat native to Inishowen that played a central part
in the fishing communities of the peninsula for
centuries," said a Foyle Punt Association
spokesperson.
"Punt races were a feature of regattas around the
peninsula until the 1970s, when interest in the boat
began to die. However, a re-awakening began in the
nineties when the tragic death of local fisherman
James Kelly led to the organisation of a charity
race in his memory.
"The event was a huge success and reignited interest
in the boating tradition," the spokesperson added.
In June 2006, Carnagarve man Robert Kelly and a
group of other enthusiasts began organising a new
association dedicated to promoting interest in the
boats. They secured support from IRDL to save seven
older punts and were recently successful in getting
planning permission for a boathouse.
The June 29th event will be launched by Charlie
McCann, an ex-Foyle pilot of Shrove. He will provide
an overview of the importance of the boat to
communities around Lough Foyle, while local author
and painter Dónal MacPolin, who has published a book
on the boats of North East Donegal, will talk about
the history and design of the punt.
RTE's 'Nationwide' team will also film during the
week for a show to be aired in September.
Anyone interested in attending the event should
contact association secretary, Lucy White on 07493
83058 no later than Wednesday, June 27th. Anyone
interested in joining the association can also
contact Lucy, or chairman Robert Kelly on 086
3209529. Membership costs €80 for adults, €30 for
students, €130 for couples and €150 for families. |
