Bellacragher Bay Boat Club.
Bellacragher Bay Boat Club
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Category one ISA Club
Welcome to our Web Site:
We will keep you updated with all the news about the club.
Feedback:
It's your web site so send us your feedback using the guestbook page. Please don't breeze in and out without letting us know! We realize that the facebook page is now the most used method of communication but there is a lot of information here that you need to know.
We have weekly sailing every Sunday, why not come for a look or have a totally free try, there is always room for new people.
Download our Home waters file and you will see the nautical chart of our area or use the google map function below to have a look at Claggan
Seamus Butler
Following on the success of the Gourmet Greenway, a number of outdoor activity people (including us) have got together with the Mulranny Park Hotel and put a brochure together that describes what we do and where we are. The idea is to give people visiting the area some easy options in deciding what to do for their holiday.
Download the interactive Greenway map from the above menu tab!
Map of Claggan Ballycroy
How to get to us
The road shown in green & white is the N59 going from Mulranny in the south (bottom of page) to Bangor Erris in the North (top of the page).
In the middle of the page, a number of roads converge at Ballyveeney bridge, if you were travelling from south to North, turn left at Ballyveeney bridge, after 800m you will come to an dog-leg up-hill bend on the left hand side. Go up the hill and continue for another 600m when you will come to a cross roads. take the left turn, which is along a road bordered by rohodendron bushes. The second turn on the right after the cross roads takes you downhill towards the sea and hopefully you will see some boats on the water.
History of Bellacragher Boat Club.
Bellacragher Bay Boat Club was formed in 2003 by Seamus Butler, Claggan and Brian Masterson Owenduff, in response to interest from people in Achill, Mulranny and Ballycroy. In choosing a name, they picked the Bay that links all three areas together. An introduction to sailing week was held on the four days after the August Bank Holiday 2003. On completion of the training, five 14ft boats sailed 6 miles to innisbiggle for the Island Festival. The sailing week has continued to the present and grown significantly. Last year approx 100 people took part and there was a fleet of 22 boats. The Club has had considerable success in obtaining training funding for commercial and leisure marine courses with Leader and MFG providing the funds. A grant from Shell in October 2007 allowed us to increase our sailing fleet and get instructor training for powerboats and diesel engine maintenance.Further grants from Shell, the Bellacorick fund and the mayo sports partnership in 2010 allowed us improve our sailing fleet (bought two laser picos) and strengthen our safety boats (new 14ft dory and 6m rib)
In June 2011, more special needs training was supported by the Mayo Sports Partnership and MFG granted €30, 600 towards the purchase of four new Hobie Cat Tatoos.
The Club members come from varied backgrounds but many have strong marine backgrounds and experience in all manner of boating activities, cruiser sailing, dinghy sailing, canoeing, power boating, commercial fishing and diving/skiing/kiting. In August 2008, the club was offered affiliation with The Irish Sailing Association, The ISA is responsible for most marine training in the country, their courses and certificates are recognised and approved by the Irish Government. Membership of The ISA was a major stepping-stone in the advancement of the club.
Sailing starts in April of each year and the Club have regular Sailing sessions. They are scheduled to suits tides so could be on a weekday evening or weekend. Boats used are 420's 470's, lasers, toppers and five hobie cats with a fully equipped and qualified safety team supervising the sailing. Any one that wishes to have a go is very welcome to come along, even if you just want to have a look. There is always a few on the shore, getting boats ready, repairing them or looking after the BBQ.The Sailing will follow the ISA syllabus and arrangements have been made for an ISA Examiner to visit the Summer Sailing camp to assess Sailors and test them for the various sailing levels.
The Sailing branch of the club is also home to the Sea Scouts of the 22nd Mayo Troup and have had some sailing with the Belmullet Sea Scouts. The club provides the scouts with all the waterborne experience they need. In addition to the dinghy Sailing, short cruises to Clare Island, inishturk and inishboffin take place during the summer where possible. The boats used are sailing cruisers and powerboats/sports cruisers. There are usually crew places available.
People are very welcome to join or visit one of the sessions. You may observe Navigation, rope work, capsize/survival techniques or first aid and find that it appeals to you!
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