‘Bayview’ Sets Sail The friendly patrons of Gleesons pub on Bath Street are now the proud owners of a newstate of the art fishing boat called, appropriately enough, Bayview. The regulars who frequent this cosy establishment have their own fishing club which was founded some years back.

They fish from Bulloch Harbour, in Dalkey, where they have to hire out a vessel. During post-fishing expedition drinks in Gleesons the hardy fishermen came up with the idea of buying or making their own boat over three years ago.

With thirty-five members, the club had a good foundation for fund-raising. It was decided to go the boatbuilding route. To achieve this ambitious goal a plan of attack was drawn up. The strong network of community contact in our area was also called upon for support. This yielded the generous help of Eastlink, Dublin Corporation and the hardworking local FÁS trainees, a boat-building project was brought about at slip No. 2 on the North Wall.

With the great help of Paddy Carroll, Charlie Murphy and Jimmy Murray, the boat-building project became a viable project. It now became a youth training initiative. The venture would now give local lads the opportunity to continue the boatbuilding traditions of Ringsend. The boat would also be available as a youth development service as well.

The Commodore of the Fishing Club, Paddy Bradshaw, and Treasurer, Noel Gregg point out that the boat will be used for local youngsters in giving trips and teaching them how to fish.

Wally O’Sullivan, the P.R. for the club, wants to see further boat-building projects being brought about for the youth of our area. He maintains that with a little bit of organisation many other groups in our area can come together and get a similar project up and running.

The lads asked me to especially mention the late John ‘Chubby’ Mahon who passed away earlier in the year. He was a great friend and supporter of the venture.