by Martha Ewence
THE inaugural Pat Lawless Sail & Oar Festival took place on Sunday, June 8 on the majestic Shannon river in the heart of Limerick City. Iconic images of sailing vessels in front of King John’s Castle not seen in over 100 years were captured by several gifted photographers.
The high point of the festival was the flotilla of boats led by “The Loon”, which is the boat that Pat Lawless sailed around the world in 1996. It was the boat’s first time on Limerick waters skippered by his son Pat Lawless Junior.
Pat Lawless (Jnr) spoke on behalf of the Lawless family, “I would like to thank all the people, that made the Pat Lawless Sail & Oar Festival the great day it was. The Foynes Yacht Club boats looked brilliant, sailing between the bridges, with the two Sea Scouts, gaff rigged boats, that made a great effort sailing down from Lough Derg, where my father once sailed”.
He went onto pay tribute to his father and his family; “The Lawless family loved and were proud of my father, but it was also brilliant for my mother, and all of us that the day was so well supported, by so many lovely people.”
