Improvements at Lough Ree Yacht Club approved

Lough Ree Yacht Club's base in Coosan is set to expand, recent planning documents reveal.

Westmeath County Council recently approved an extension to the clubhouse in Ballyglass, to include an office, kitchen store and a chair store in a total of 64.13 square metres of space.

The project also includes the construction of an open-sided boat shelter building of 164.15 square metres, the expansion of an internal circulation road within the site, and the relocation of a gas storage compound.

Founded in 1770, Lough Ree Yacht Club is the second oldest sailing club in the world. However, according to the club's website, the practice of organising sailing events on the lake locally stretches back even further than that.

“The tradition of organised pleasure boating in Athlone goes back to at least 1731, with a regatta on the Shannon amongst the 'diversions' promised for a festival week in the town.

“Early activities appear to have involved a rendezvous at some agreed place and a cruise in company in the manner of a naval flotilla but racing eventually developed,” the website explains, adding that from its earliest days it was known as Athlone Yacht Club before it was renamed Lough Ree Yacht Club in 1895.

The present premises at Ballyglass does not appear to have been purchased by the local club until the early years of the 20th century.

The expansion project for the club, which is located on the eastern shores of Lough Ree, was approved subject to compliance with four planning conditions set down by the local authority.