St Michael’s Boat Club express fears for safety of oarsmen
MEMBERS of St Michael’s Rowing Club, preparing for the annual Limerick Regatta at O’Briensbridge this weekend, have voiced fears about the pontoon landing facility for a seaplane on the Shannon.
The 110 year-old rowing club made a formal objection to An Bord Pleanala.
Planning for the pontoon at the Clarion Hotel on Steamboat Quay, was recently granted to Harbour Flights Ireland Limited.
Pierce McGann, St Michael’s Rowing Club, is adamant city council should not have granted permission.
“How can your operate a rowing club where you have aircraft landing?
“This is a stretch of water where 16 boats and 85 oars people, aged between 13 and 60, are in operation.
“We don’t believe city council have the wherewithal to monitor such a facility.
“We don’t own the river, but what they are trying to do is akin to having a basketball court on a runway”.
He made the remarks ahead of the 2011 Limerick Regatta this Saturday, April 30, at O’Briensbridge.
Speaking at the launch, chairman, Rob Le Gear, said:
“It is this support of willing volunteers that has sustained the regatta for more than 140 years”.
He acknowledged two past chairmen for their contributions over the years.
“Tony Tynne, Limerick Boat Club, has served 46 years on the regatta committee from 1964 to 2010, and Dermot Henihan, St. Michael’s Rowing Club, served 33 years, 1977 – 2010.
“Both men have been at the heart of Limerick Regatta for decades and it was their foresight that orchestrated the delivery of the regatta site in O’Briensbridge that gives us access to a wonderful stretch of water”.
Over 50 separate events are scheduled, involving 1,000 athletes.
Racing will take place every five minutes from 8.00am to 6.30pm on the full four-lane course.
There will also be rowing in the city as part of the Sports on the Shannon element of the Riverfest festival on Sunday May 1.
Local clubs will compete in a race from the Courthouse to Shannon Bridge at 6.30pm.
