Mayo memories: Lough Carra anglers had their first annual dinner 66 years ago
By Tom Gillespie
THE first annual dinner of Lough Carra Trout Anglers’ Association was held in the Imperial Hotel, Castlebar, on Tuesday night, January 6, 1959. The large attendance, representative of a wide area, reflected on the able organising ability of the committee.
The function was presided over by Mr. J.J. McGowan, B.E., and it was the first social gathering held since the formation of the club three years previously (1956).
The guest of honour was Mr. P.T. Moran, president of Castlebar and District Trout Anglers’ Association, and popularly known as the ‘father of Irish angling’, and Rev. Anthony O’Toole, C.C.
The toast to ‘Poblachta na hEireann’ was proposed by the club president, Mr J.P. McCormack, and honoured.
Proposing the toast to the Lough Carra Anglers, Dr. G. Thornton said it was only a few years since the club had been established and they had done wonderful work in this short time.
He expressed the hope that everyone present would become as eager on angling as the older men present had 30 years ago (1929). He hoped that the club would continue to progress and make Lough Carra one of the best fishing lakes in the west.
Mr. J.J. McGowan, B.E., chairman, in reply, said he wished to pay tribute to the energetic enthusiasm of the club members in making their first annual dinner such a great success, and he felt assured that this event would prove in the future a great attraction for all anglers. Social functions such as that brought anglers and their friends together and created a spirit of good-fellowship.
In a brief review of the club’s activities since its formation, Mr. McGowan said he wished to pay a special tribute to the Inland Fisheries Trust and Bord Fáilte for their cooperation and help at all times and which contributed in no small way to the progress which the club had made.
Removing of predatory fish was proceeding satisfactorily and in a most recent experiment artificial spawning beds were laid down by way of trial in four spawning streams, to which work the club contributed £60.
Continual observation of this work during the spawning period by members of the club had proved that it was an outstanding success and it was hoped to expand the work in the following year’s (1960) programme.
Some amenity schemes were suggested by Bord Fáilte after a survey had been carried out by one of their officials accompanied by the club secretary, Mr. Phil O’Reilly, and the committee at the moment were actively considering the proposals. He felt assured that with the continued cooperation and enthusiasm of the members, Lough Carra would prove in the near future an excellent fishing ground.
Proposing the toast to ‘The Guests’, Mr. Phil O’Reilly said he was glad to see among the guests present the people who derived very little pleasure from fishing - the fishermen’s wives, mothers and sweethearts, who, not alone had to go to the trouble of packing fishing baskets, but had to listen to the reasons why the anglers did not catch fish.
In welcoming the guests, he extended a particular welcome to Mr. P.T. Moran, Mr. J.P. Howard, chairman, Castlebar Anglers’ Club, and Mr. P. Regan, Dublin. He expressed the hope that everyone would enjoy themselves and felt sure they would.
Mr. P.T. Moran, replying on behalf of the guests, thanked the previous speakers for the compliment paid to them.
Continuing, he said: “I just fished and that was all about it. I was never a great fisherman, it’s only I stuck to it as long as I did. I love Lough Carra and I think anyone who spends a few days in it will be delighted whether you catch fish or not.
“Go there on a calm day in the evening and see the reflection of the land and water. You will not know where the water ends and the land begins.
“I hope you will try and go to Lough Carra and enjoy the scenery around this beautiful lake and all the fish you can catch.”
Mr. P. Egan, proposing the toast to ‘The Press’, paid tribute to the Mayo Press for the very good publicity they had given the club since it was formed. He felt confident that the good relations between the club and the Press would continue.
In reply, Mr. Bernie Gillespie, Connaught Telegraph, thanked Mr. Regan for his complimentary remarks and assured the attendance that members of the Mayo Press would do everything possible to further the interests of fishing in the county.
Before thanking the guests formally and the hotel management for the delightful meal served, Mr. J.P. McCormack dealt with the historical background of Lough Carra and surrounding locations and said there was a history attached to every stone in the district.
He said Lough Carra was unknown and that was a great pity, but they had energetic officers and committee whom, he felt sure, would put Lough Carra on the map.
He referred to the famous Moore family of Moorehall - Mr. John Moore, a member of the family who was first President of Connaught after the 1798 Insurrection and the Races of Castlebar.
Mr. G. Thornton joined in the expression of thanks to the hotel management and, referring to the original committee, paid special tribute to Mr. Charlie Hanley for his efforts.
A most enjoyable social function followed during which incidental music was supplied by the Dance Orchestra. Songs rendered by Mr. Jimmy Reilly were much appreciated.