161-year-old boat with strong Athlone links brought back to life

One of the river Shannon's best-known vessels, which first came to Athlone's shores in 1956, is again operating on midland waters following a Herculean restoration job.

The historic SS Fox, once the home of renowned Athlone bandleader and showband legend, the late Syd Shine, has undergone a complete refurbishment by Celbridge-based couple Dara and Helen O'Cionnaith (the latter is originally from Taughmaconnell), and it recently took part in the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) Shannon Boat Rally.

The boat was also on display at Lough Ree Yacht Club, in Coosan, after the club invited Dara and Helen to attend an annual event race. The club, Dara told the Westmeath Independent, formerly used the Fox as a clubhouse, as Syd Shine was a long-time and treasured member.

Dara, a native of Westport who had no previous familial ties to boating, told the Westmeath Independent he was always interested in taking on “a retirement project”, and after receiving redundancy, he felt the time was right to “get stuck into” a genuine labour of love.

But that wasn't before Dara and Helen consulted with their four children – Tadhg, Clodagh, Neasa and Cara – who were aged between six and 12 at the time. And when the children were enthused by the notion, it was time to get cracking on the project.

In 2019, the family purchased The Fox at Garrykennedy (Tipperary), which is know as a popular, picturesque stop for river cruisers, heritage boats and leisure craft exploring Lough Derg.

Its condition, however, was not good – hardly surprising given it was first constructed in 1865.

“We intially, as a family, had been working on the restoration of a small barge, but quickly felt like we needed something bigger and better to do. So, when the opportunity arose to acquire SS Fox, we were delighted to take it on,” said Dara.

“It was in fairly poor condition, to be honest. It was still floating but we spent the first six months working completely under the water. Its decks and super-structure were rotten and it needed to be stripped-out. But look, we managed to get it as far as Shannon Harbour, in Offaly, as we visited there often and knew it as a great place for traditional boats to be repaired and maintained over the years. There is a huge level of knowledge in that area, and we felt it the perfect place for the work to take place,” he added.

Dara has been working “full-time” on the project for the past 18 months, and 2024 and 2025 proved huge years for progressing its progress.

During 2024, for example, bollards were installed, portholes restored, cleaned and sealed, the ship's wheel was restored, stairs fitted, morring rings attached, spray foam completed, roof and decks prepped and painted, old shaft removed, new propeller removed and Ford Mermaid (engine) alignment completed.

It was hard work, Dara said, and the following year provided little by way of respite, as complicated works – including the interior fit-out, and installation of heating, electrics, water tanks, store, diesel heater, wheelhouse, cabins, and butterfly hatch.

One of the factors that inspired Dara and his wife throughout the project was the willingness of the children to stay involved in the project.

“It has been great working with the family and trying to pass on some of the skills and learnings to the next generation.

“They have been absolutely brilliant and key throughout the project, and I'm very proud of their involvement. The boat, afterall, is 50 years older than the Titanic – and the SS Fox is still floating!” he said.

Indeed it is. And recently, hundreds of people from the midlands region flocked to observe its renaissance at the Shannon Boat Rally when a large fleet gathered in Lanesborough and cruised down the river Shannon through Portrunny, Hodson Bay, and Shannonbridge, wrapping up with a gala in Athlone.

“It is the oldest Irish floating boat and that's why people are always engaged in and fascinated by SS Fox. I suppose it's a bit of a celebrity boat,” said Dara.

The boat began life as the SS Fox, one of 12 original steam tugs commissioned by the Grand Canal Company to drag barges on the canal.

It was later converted into a motor vessel, the MV Fox which was skippered and cared for in Athlone by Syd Shine, where it became a familiar sight on the Shannon near the Watergate on Grace Road.

At the end of August, the next public outing of the SS Fox, as it is now again known, will be at Shannonbridge as part of National Heritage Week.

“We love the river and these events give us and the children a chance to meet friends we have made on the water over the years. The SS Fox is attracting so much attention and we expect it will be no different in the weeks, months and years to come,” Dara said.