Sea Scout SIG Adventure1 to Castlebawn

Written by An Laoch

Monday, 10 May 2010 14:18

The Mid-West Sea Scout Special Interest Group (SIG) embarked on an sailing adventure week-end as part of the ISA Adventure 1 training programme on the 8-9 May 2010.

The planning for the event started back in March, the initial scope agreed was a sailing week-end with an overnight on one of the islands in Lough Derg. It was to be 4-5 hour sail from the National Water Activities Centre (NWAC) up lake. The island of initial choice was Inishcealtra or Holy Island after a number of options had been discussed.

Investigation into this island we found that owner would not give permission for camping so we decided to look elsewhere. A chance conversation put Diarmuid in contact with the owner of Castlebawn (Simon’s Castle) an Island Norman Fort further into Scarriff Bay. Pat was happy to support our venture and Seán did a reconnaissance of the island on the May bank-holiday weekend.

With this sorted a passage plan was created for the route to the Island and it was decided to take two Lelievlets on the Adventure.

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Saturday the 8 May was a beautiful sunny morning with a North Easterly wind of Force 4 or so, the forecast was for a cold night with winds picking up and Sunday had been forecast for North Easterly Force 2 – 3 winds. Lian the ISA Senior Instructor spent some time with Diarmuid and Seán who were working on their ISA Adventure 1 level while the Sea Scout crew rigged the Kingfisher and Coot for the voyage.	Kingfisher and Coot ready to set sail.
Kingfisher	It was the seventh bell on the afternoon watch by the time the two Lelievelts departed the centre up lake. With the northwesterly wind, the vessels had to tack into the wind for nearly 4 hours before passing through the markers for Lushing Rocks (Lushag Rocks).
	Inishcaltra (Holy Island)
After passing through the markers, the vessels turned towards Scarriff Bay and into a run being careful to keep the Middle Ground rocks well to starboard. Now Inishcaltra came fully into view with its magnificent church, a monastic settlement since the 7th century. Then as we passed Cahir Island, the magnificent Castlebawn came into view on the opposite shore.	Conor, Diarmuid & Seán
Pat watches as the Kingfisher is moored	The McNamara chieftains built Castlebawn during the mid to late 16th century. The family name of McNamara is still quite numerous around Co. Clare today. The earliest date on record, mentioning Castlebawn is 1570, when Sean McNamara, Chief of eastern Clann-Cuilein, died, leaving Castlebawn to his son, Sir John McNamara. The last occupier of Castlebawn was Simon Flannery, early in the 20th century. Even today, many local people still refer to it as Simon's Castle.
Using the stone lying close to the tower house the Pat had the castle rebuilt. Several pieces of stone windows were found along with a corbel with a head carved on it, which were all reused in the reconstruction. The wooden floor beams and the new roof trusses had been replaced using Irish Oak.	Castlebawn (Simon's Castle)
After de-rigging the Lelievlets the crew were given a tour of the castle by Pat and Mary had prepared tea and coffee in the main hall for everyone. Pat mentioned that he was going to the mainland, as there was a CELT “Week-end in the woods” event on in Bealkelly Wood a short distance away. The CELT weekend consisted of traditional skills workshops from leatherwork, blacksmith, boatbuilding, fishing etc... We went over and participated in their campfire that night, promising to return in the morning before leaving Castlebawn for the NWAC.	Camping at the jetty
Sunday morning was another find day. We had to do our rowing test for the Adventure 1 so we rowed as two oarsmen, pair oar to the mainland. We visited the CELT workshops and they were quite impressive. Unfortunately, we had to bid fairwell and return to the castle to prepare the boats for the journey home. We departed at the start of the afternoon watch and retraced our route downlake. We beat our way to Aughinish Point and once passed the hazard we had to perform a number of drills, towing while sailing, sailing without centreboard, sailing without rudder etc.. Upon their completion, we headed back to the centre on a goose wing run. All in all this was a wonderful weekend with lots of adventure. We met many new people and had great experienced along the way. Roll on Adventure 2. NOTE More information on Castlebawn here.	*CELT Leathercraft Workshop*

Last Updated on Saturday, 04 September 2010 14:49