ROWING:THE OLDEST rowing club in Ireland is at the forefront of an exciting new development for the sport in Ireland.

A brand-new international-class rowing course is being planned for Lough Rinn in Co Leitrim, with Carrick-on-Shannon rowing club, which is 175 years old this year, playing a big part in its development.

Fáilte Ireland has made a large amount of funding, believed to be €225,000, available for the development, and it is understood Leitrim County Council will add funding up to €300,000 to develop the course.

The initial plan is for a six-lane, 2,000-metre course; starting pontoons and retractable starting equipment; the extension of car-parking facilities and a campsite already on the lake to include changing facilities; and a raised viewing area.

“We will have an elevated site on the side of the lake. On the other side we have Lough Rynn castle and hotel with its walled gardens. There is a viewing area there as well,” said Sinead McDermott, the tourism officer of Leitrim County Council yesterday.

McDermott said this phase of the development should be completed by next April. In the longer term it is envisaged that there would be a walkway around the entire course.

Lough Rinn, which is a natural lake, is not controlled by the ESB, who have struggled to keep water levels up at Blessington Lakes, which is used by Dublin clubs. The National Rowing Centre at Farran Wood in Cork is also on an ESB reservoir, and the land on which the boathouse stands is owned by Coillte, who charge rent.

Lough Rinn, once remote from facilities, is now also served by accommodation in the Lough Rynn hotel, in Mohill and Carrick-on-Shannon, and an improved road network. The development has been welcomed by the governing body in Ireland.

“We see it as hugely positive,” said Gerry Farrell, the treasurer of Rowing Ireland.