March 2026 will mark the centenary of legendary Irish boatbuilder Jimmy Furey’s birth in Mount Plunkett, Roscommon.
Mr Furey’s estate is now in the process of commemorating this landmark by establishing a permanent home for his boatbuilding papers at Roscommon County Library. To this end, such relevant materials as remained in Mr Furey’s cottage following his June 2020 death are now being permanently lodged with the library for cataloguing. The ultimate objective is an easily accessible resource where young talents wishing to follow in the master boatbuilder’s footsteps can learn from and be inspired by his life’s work.
“While Jimmy was opposed to the idea of any kind of formal museum display, he would have been delighted to see his expertise being used to energise future generations of craftsmen and women”, a spokesperson for the estate told Afloat.
To ensure the success of this initiative, the estate is now seeking the support of individuals and various yacht clubs and sailing/model-making associations with which the late boatbuilder was affiliated. Given the high regard in which Mr. Furey was held in such circles, it is hoped those in possession of suitable additional materials will consider either permanently donating or loaning their items to the library for scanning.
Interested parties eager to learn more, or who have ideas that could help put still more wind in this meaningful project’s sails, should email: [email protected] or call/text: 089 200 4349.
