Bellacragher Bay Boat Club

The Gathering 2013

This is what everyone is talking about, every little townland in Ireland is supposed to organise something to get people to come home? 

Ballycroy is a very unique place with very unique people, most are direct descendants of the families of the "Wild Geese" (read the Gathering page above if you are clueless, for a brief history) the familes of those that went abroad are very much integrated into the society of their adopted country, indeed many of the original people were instrumental in the formation of the said countries.

The free promotion of the Gathering events offerred by the Govt. may be the opportunity for us to reach the descendants of those people and show them that there is somewhere they can visit and check up on their family history, they may include a visit on an already planned holiday. Either way they are very welcome

Extract from the Green Parent Magazine April/May 2013 issue.

This is an article written by Travel Writer Catherine Mack about the Greenway and the Adventures that are to be found along it. Catherine came for a sail late last October on a wet and windy day! This was her account of the trip. What will you think of yours?

“One of the most exciting expeditions of this stay was going on a catamaran trip out into Béal a’ Creachaire (Bay of the Plunderer), an 18kms long sea inlet running from Mulranny in the south to Innisbiggle in the North. We were in the safe hands of Seamus Butler, founder of the Bellacragher Bay Boat Club and a catamaran enthusiast who knows every bit of pirate and smuggling historyof this Mayo hideaway, and who taught us to do that hanging over the edge thing while the vessel sped down the inlet on one side, giving us one final immersion in Mayo. Seamus’ exuberance and expertise for his Mayo home-land is not only infectious, as witnessed by the screams of joy which echoed around the surrounding mountains, but is also truly representative of what this Community is about. Love, life and laughter.”

Read more about Catherine’s travel at ethicaltraveller.co.uk or follow her on facebook (ethical Traveller) or on Twitter@catherinemack

Catherine is a well know travel writer (google her) and the second one to travel Bellacragher Bay since William Maxwell in 1816. 

http://www.ethicaltraveller.co.uk/

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!