The impressive upgrade of Galway Bay Sailing Club’s clubhouse at Renville New Harbour near Oranmore at the head of Galway Bay was officially opened on Sunday by Hildegarde Naughton TD as the highlight of a sunny afternoon’s celebration of a very efficiently completed project, brought in on time and within budget.
The complete revamping of the changing rooms and other ancillary facilities has greatly enhanced the club’s ability to host major events.
People who make things happen in Galway Bay SC include (left to right) Mark Kelly (Hon Treas), Tricia Hogan (PRO), Hildegarde Naughton TD, Phyllis Hayes (Rear Commodore Training), Alan Donnelly (Rear Commodore Dinghies) and Paul Ryan of Accessible Sailing Photo: Murt Fahy
While the clubhouse retains the friendly atmosphere of its well-established social areas which are renowned for their hospitable gatherings, the changing rooms, boat storage and workshop facilities have been up-graded to an international standard through a visionary scheme seen through by GBSC members Pat and Emer Irwin – she was the Architect while he was the Project Manager.
A job well done. Hon Treas. Mark Kelly (left) with husband and wife team Pat & Emer Irwin, (Project Manager and Architect respectively) and Hildegarde Naughton TD. Photo: Murt Fahy
The entire building and design job, and the general up-grading of the clubhouse, has been under the overall direction of former Commodore Gary Allen, who heads the building group with notable efficiency, so much so that it has been suggested they should now be tasked with advising on solving the national housing shortage....Be that as it may, there’s no doubt that when they decide to do something at GBSC, they do it properly.
It’s official. Cutting the tape at GBSC are (left to right) former Commodore Gary Allen (Chair of GBSC Building Group), Vice Commodore John Murphy, Hildegarde Naughton TD, and former Commodore Piece Purcell. Photo Murt Fahy
Shedding the tie of responsibility.....The only one wearing a tie in Galway Bay’s hot sunshine was former GBSC Commodore Pierce Purcell, who was additionally there in his role as the outgoing Western Member of the Board of the Irish Sailing Association. Once the new clubhouse was officially opened, Ciaran Murphy (left) the ISA’s Regional Development Officer for the West & North, supervised the handover of the official tie to incoming western Board Member Rory Carberry (centre), while Pierce Purcell (right) finally gets a chance to cool down