Beautiful two storey boathouse set to open in Bawnboy

The community of Templeport are setting an example for other areas with their get-up-and-go approach to enhancing facilities in the area. Templeport Development Association has planned the official opening of their new boat house at Templeport lake for this Monday, August 1. Local hero and winner of gold and bronze medals at the recent Special Olympics World Games in Athens, Johnny McKiernan, will cut the ribbon. Local historian Oliver McKiernan will deliver a short history on the area with special emphasis on St Mogue's Isalnd. Trips to the island by boat will be available throughout the afternoon. Aidan Brady, treasurer with Templeport Development Association explained to The Anglo-Celt that they funded the new boathouse with a grant of €25,000 from Cavan County Council together with an insurance payment as a result of a tree falling on the old boathouse some years ago. Despite this, there was still a shortfall of around €12,000. "We decided to bravely go ahead and come up with innovative methods of fundraising to deliver the shortfall. We had plans drawn up by Shane McIntyre and a local contractor, Peter McKiernan was the lowest tender for the job," said Aidan Brady. Some of the additional funding came from a calendar produced in the area last year and from a book that chronicles the amazing history and folklore surrounding St Mogue's Island. The Bawnboy Festival Committee will donate the money raised to the Development Association. Everyone is delighted with the response from all organisations in the parish that gave donations, including the Templeport Resource Centre, and both local churches, Catholic and Church of Ireland. The newly designed boathouse legislates for the lake rising by up to six feet in the winter time. A structural designer, Sean Feehan from Corlough drew plans to ensure a portal steel structure was put in place as part of the roof, so it could carry the weight of the boat in winter when it is winched out of the water. Sean McIntyre was the architect on the project. The beautiful planters and bench which adorn the entry to the boathouse were supplied by Inis Crafts, Bawnboy. The motorised boat will be used frequently to ferry people to the island who wish to visit graves, festival organised tours and funerals. Dympna Hayden, secretary of the association says there is potential in the future to ferry tourists out to the island to enjoy an insight into the heritage of the area and the history of St Mogue. According to Cllr Sean Smith, Cavan County Council owns the property on which the new boathouse is sited and revealed that there will be ongoing development at this important location. The chairman of Templeport Development Association Kevin McCaffrey paid tribute to the foresight of the late Aidan McGovern, who gave the additional ground needed for the facility. It is one of the best fishing lakes in the area and hundreds of anglers descend on it each year. Species include pike, roach, bream and perch. He also revealed that a lady from Corlough who survived the Titanic disaster had clay from the island with her. Templeport Development Association together with Templeport Gun Club have focussed in recent times on turning the lake area into a bird sanctuary. The Cavan Branch of Bird Watch Ireland will have a walk at the lake on Sunday, August 28, from 2-5pm. For further details contact Heather Bothwell.