Oct,2024
Pic: The weeds in a bad year
As we come to the close of our Dragon Boat season. We would like to thank the OPW, Shane Flaherty and John Mooney and his team for their assistance to the club this year.
Each year users of Lough Lannagh lake face a recurring challenge with weed growth, especially during the summer months. These weeds pose difficulties for casual swimmers, triathlon participants, kayakers, and particularly our 20-person Dragon Boats, hindering effective training.
As our Club spends the summer preparing for regattas across Ireland, having a clear paddling route is essential for practicing race timing and refining race starts. Our social paddlers also greatly benefit from a weed-free lake. Each year, the Office of Public Works (OPW), with the support of local councillors such as Ger Deere, Jarlath McHale and Blackie Gavin, steps in to help tackle this issue.
A weed-cutting machine, accompanied by a safety boat, is brought in to clear the lake, ensuring it is safe and accessible once more.
This year, the efforts of Shane Flaherty, OPW Engineer, and John Mooney, OPW Foreman and his team, have been instrumental in keeping the lake clear. Our club, Vivienne Kyne and Louise Rodgers would like to thank both Shane and John and the lads for their tireless work in removing the weeds, ensuring smooth waters for all lake users.
Lough Lannagh remains a valuable resource for the community and a source of pride for the town. Keeping the water clear and accessible benefits not only local clubs but also ensures that this beautiful lake can be enjoyed by everyone, all year round.
Oct,2024
Mayo County Council has made significant improvements to the approach and ramp leading to our pontoon on Lough Lannagh, greatly benefiting our club. A special thanks goes to David Mellet, Head of Castlebar Municipal District, and his team for their hard work in revamping the area.
For several years, the Club had to rely on makeshift solutions to access the pontoon, such as using pallets and tyres, especially during the winter months when water levels in the lake rise. These temporary fixes were less than ideal, making it difficult for paddlers to access the pontoon and launch the Dragon Boat.
The recent improvements by the council have transformed the space, providing a much smoother gradient on the slipway and enhancing the surface. Most notably, the installation of a solid 12ft by 4ft concrete base now ensures a stable and safe approach to the pontoon, making access much easier for all.
The Club is grateful to the Council for this essential upgrade, which will improve both safety and enjoyment for paddlers year-round.
Oct,2024
Aar me hearties! The pirates of the Green Isle alias two Gráine Mhaol Dragons – Audrey Maughan and Inara Poca , having the craic along with Medb’s Dragon Warriors at the dragon boat festival in Annecy, France on the Fancy Dress day. They definitely captured the best she pirate of them all.
Anne and Tadgh Murphy, Inna and Audrey travelled to Lake Annecy France Dragon Boat Festival. What a beautiful location fora Dragon boat festival and the the gang clearly had loads of fun.
Oct,2024
Another great regatta, another great day out, another great year for the Gráine Mhaolers…….
Many thanks to Julie Doyle and Mick, Irish Dragon Boat Association and Lough Rinn Sport & Recreation Hub , Lough Rinn Dragon Boat Regatta for putting on a fab day and most of all many thanks to our own paddling team who put in a lot of training for the event.
Mayo Dragons Lough Rinn Regatta team
Sep,2024
Many thanks as always to Cllr. Gavin for his generosity to the Gráine Mhaol Dragon boat Club. It goes a long way to helping us develop the Club every year.
Blackie Gavin has allocated money to the club on the 30th September 2024.
