Inish Turk Beg 08
400 sailors and 40 boats support the RNLI
Inishturkbeg Island in Clew Bay was the venue last Sunday for Mayo Sailing Club’s biggest and best ever fundraising day in aid of the local RNLI. 400 sailors arrived on board 40 boats of all sorts and sizes to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of Nadim Sadek and Sandra O’Malley, owners of the island. Inishturkbeg is a private island and was just opened up for this special fundraising day. A record sum of over €4,000 was raised for the local RNLI.
�The little bay at Inishturkbeg has probably never been so busy. 30 sailing boats bobbed at anchor along with a dozen motor boats of all sizes and even an Achill Yawl. The RNLI fundraiser is an annual event which changes venue each year, but it is always restricted to people who arrive by water – any type of watercraft will suffice. The jetty was crowded to capacity with the rubber dinghies used to ferry sailors in and out and the waterfront scattered with wet gear and lifejackets waiting to be picked up for the return journey. This is very much a family event, which was evident from the excited squeals of the visiting children as they made full use of the water trampoline and slide, not at all dissuaded by the lack of sunshine.
�The atmosphere was fantastic as the visitors made their way from the welcome reception up to the boathouse where the main event of the day, the pig roast, was to take place. Everyone carried salads and bottles of wine to add to the generous catering provided by the host family. No less than two pigs had been roasting slowly on the spit for almost 14 hours and the aroma tantalised the taste buds of hungry sailors. Over 400 people feasted on the roasted pork which was cooked to perfection. Even a shower of rain didn’t take from the festive mood as sailing club members chatted with locals and visiting officials from the ISA, the Irish Sailing Association. Live music, barrels of Guinness and superb organisation from our hosts all combined to produce a wonderful event.
�The rain and wind more or less held off until the return journey which was made in fairly testing and blustery conditions. The wind was ‘on the nose’ which the most uncomfortable point of sailing, but everyone made it back to Rosmoney safe and sound, and with good memories of a really fantastic day out.
�Mayo Sailing Club would like to extend sincere thanks to Nadim Sadek and Sandra O’Malley along with their family and team of helpers for their generosity in hosting this RNLI fundraising event.
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