Castlebar - County Mayo - Gráinne Mhaol Dragon Boat Launch

From Castlebar - County Mayo -

Ken Wright
Gráinne Mhaol Dragon Boat Launch
By Ken Wright & the Gráinne Mhaol Dragon Boat Team
23, Jul 2015 - 09:23

First Mayo Grainne Mhaol Dragon Boat maiden voyage at Lough Lannagh Castlebar

First Mayo Grainne Mhaol Dragon Boat maiden voyage at Lough Lannagh Castlebar, front L-R; Michelle Dolan, Mary Caden, Geraldine McDonagh, Christina Kelly, Eileen O’Shea, Sandra Cunningham, Eileen Derri, Councillor Blackie Gavin Cathaoirleach Castlebar Municipal District, Johnny Mee, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, Ann Dillon and Louise Killeen (Boat Cox). Back l-r; Loretta Coffee, Emer Quinn, Nora McHale, Jacinte Hession, Kay Moran, Bernadette Stewart, Lorraine Foy, Sharon McDonnell, Gerry Deere, Chris O’Brien, Michael Baynes, Oisin Geraghty, Gerry McHale, Ann Basquille and Paddy Mahon, Mayo County Council. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2015.

First Mayo Grainne Mhaol Dragon Boat maiden voyage at Lough Lannagh Castlebar, L-R; Paddy Mahon, Mayo County Council, Judy Doyle, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, Louise Killeen (Boat Cox) and Councillor Blackie Gavin Cathaoirleach Castlebar Municipal District. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2015.

First Mayo Grainne Mhaol Dragon Boat maiden voyage at Lough Lannagh Castlebar, front L-R; Michelle Dolan, Mary Caden, Geraldine McDonagh, Christina Kelly, Eileen O’Shea, Sandra Cunningham, Eileen Derri, Councillor Blackie Gavin Cathaoirleach Castlebar Municipal District, Johnny Mee, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, Ann Dillon and Louise Killeen (Boat Cox). Back l-r; Loretta Coffee, Emer Quinn, Nora McHale, Jacinte Hession, Kay Moran, Bernadette Stewart, Lorraine Foy, Sharon McDonnell, Gerry Deere, Chris O’Brien, Michael Baynes, Oisin Geraghty, Gerry McHale, Ann Basquille and Paddy Mahon, Mayo County Council. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2015.

First Mayo Grainne Mhaol Dragon Boat maiden voyage at Lough Lannagh Castlebar. Michael Baynes, Oisin Geraghty, Gerry McHale Councillor Blackie Gavin Cathaoirleach Castlebar Municipal District helping the ladies get the boat to the lake. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2015.

The Dragon Boat - Clare, has arrived safe and sound at Lough Lannagh holiday village and our formal training began on July 11th at 11am with the boat’s maiden voyage on the lake. We – The Gráinne Mhaol Dragon boat team would like thank everyone who supported us in purchasing the boat.
All the ladies involved have had cancer – so for all of us, this is not only a sport that we want to take up seriously and compete in national regattas, but it is also to promote a healthier lifestyle for each of us. This team is open to any woman in Mayo that has had a cancer diagnosis. Over 60 women confirmed interest within 4 days of us contacting them – it’s looking like a successful sporting venture.
There are currently 4 competing breast cancer teams in Ireland with Plurabelle Paddlers being the best known (see www.Plurabellepaddlers.ie) and there are two more being trained at the moment.
In Castlebar we have as you know, a fantastic facility at Lough Lannagh, which would be ideal for training on and also at a later stage, running our own regatta, bringing all other teams to Castlebar. There are teams other than cancer teams in Ireland, so with the exposure on Lough Lannagh to the public, it might give other groups of people the incentive to set up their own team.