Canoe Club in new era

A new era in Kilcullen Canoe Club's history got off to a sunny start last weekend when the club's new premises was officially opened. The new facility includes a clubhouse with changing rooms and showers, upstairs lounge area, secure boat store and a floating dock. It was provided as part of a land swap deal with the developers of the nearby Market Square complex, and built by local company Kilcullen Homes Ltd. The complex was officially opened by Nessa Dunlea, whose late husband Pat had the vision which made the project happen. This fact was emphasised by current club chairman Norman Hannigan, who also paid tribute to a handful of core members who had kept the club going during good and bad times. These included Maureen Barker, Ber Coleman, Joe McTernan, Mary Domican and Noel Brennan, Vourneen O'Connell, Paddy Maloney and Jock Kelly. Nessa Dunlea asked Paddy Maloney, whom she described as the 'father figure' of the club, to cut the ribbon with her. Earlier, Brendan O'Connell, a longtime club enthusiast who has represented Ireland in canoeing at the Olympic Games, detailed the history of the club since its formation in 1957. He said that this particular day half a century later had come about through a range of Kilcullen people working together, something for which the community has had an enduring reputation. The premises was blessed by Fr Cathal Price, who had been an enthusiastic member when assigned to Kilcullen Parish during the 1970s. He said he hoped that those who would have the use in the future of the club and its new facility would truly appreciate the effort and 'blood, sweat and tears' which had gone into putting it in place. "May they use it to the full, always thankful for those who had gone before them," he concluded. Brian Byrne.