Last Sunday (August 30th), the normally quiet and secluded shore of Dromaan on the west side of Lough Derg witnessed a Pink invasion. The Women on Water group from Lough Derg Yacht Club hosted a spectacular floating celebration, raising awareness of breast cancer with a pink theme and raising over €7,000. Meanwhile, a rowing competition back in LDYC’s home port of Dromineer raised a further €3,000, bringing the total to a very impressive €10,000.
Tadg Murphy was RO, and the dressing-up efforts were much appreciated by the briefing crowd, setting the tone for the day. Over 25 boats made up a colourful fleet of cruisers, yachts, Squibs, 420s, catamarans, barges and RIBs as they made their way from Dromineer to Dromaan for a Pink Picnic.
A sudden, heavy downpour on arrival gave off the full Electric Picnic on Pink vibe as the first boats arrived to the sounds of Dolly Parton, crews on deck dancing in a “never mind the weather” frame of mind.
THREE CLUBS COMBINE
Every boat and crew were decked out in eye-watering shades of pink imaginable, with male sailors getting into the spirit of the day, wearing tutus and feather bowers. The result was a brilliant display on the water and plenty of fun and banter along the way. Then things stepped up another gear when reinforcements arrived from Garykennedy Sailing Club (GSC) and Iniscealtra Sailing Club (ISC). These three lake clubs regularly support and sail with each other, and last came together to raise money for Pat Lawless, competing in the upcoming Golden Globe Race.
Key group at Dromaan were (left to right) Mairead Rigney (JO), Percy Clendennon, Elaine Clendennon, John Clendennon TD, Edel O’Brien (WoW), Patricia George (Events, LDYC), Oonagh Healy (Irish Sailing) and Tadgh Murphy (RO)
LOCAL TD SUPPORT
John Clendenning TD Offaly, along with his family, also joined the celebrations, arriving by RIB with Junior Race Officer Mairead Rigney. Although slightly wind-swept, his family loved the experience. Oonagh Healy of Irish Sailing, National Coordinator of WoW, also joined and drew the raffle tickets. This was followed by a disco with lakeside dancing of extremely variable quality, but with the money raised, it was an unforgettable day on the lake in support of an incredibly important cause - well done to everyone who sailed, rowed, donated, bought raffle tickets, provided prizes, helped organise the day, or simply took part in the true spirit of the event.
