Iniscealtra Sailing Club
History of the Club
Iniscealtra Sailing Club (ISC) is located on the shores of Lough Derg at Mountshannon, County Clare, Ireland. It takes its’ name from the nearby monastic island known as Inis Cealtra or Holy Island (English).
The club was founded in the late sixties and is comprised mainly of a sailing cruiser fleet. Initially the small number of boat owners met socialised and raced from the main harbour in Mountshannon. Most members hailed from the Limerick region.
However with the increase in numbers gathering, plus the increase in boats using the main harbour, the club looked around the immediate area and made a decision to purchase a prime site on the shores of the lake, adjacent to the main harbour, from where they could run the club events. In 1984 the club formed as a company limited and in 1985 land was purchased by the club, adjacent to the public harbour in Mountshannon. The deeds were signed and ISC became the proud owners of the new club site. Plans to develop this land were started and today a fine harbour, club house, parking and recreational areas have been developed and nurtured by the loyal members. The number of members increased and the interest in sailing and racing the sail boats grew progressively.
In the late eighties plans were drawn up for a club house facility which has now been built and comprises of toilet facilities, showers, kitchen and a meeting/general use room. There is on shore water and power with berthing facilities to tie alongside. The site is private and maintained by the members and allows for families and sailors to meet and socialise together when using their boats. A small slip allows sailors to access their moorings with the use of the club dinghy. The depth of the water is approximately 6-7 foot providing sufficient depth for most sailing boats.
The club is run by a committee who meet monthly to discuss all the club activities, planned events, racing calendar and other general issues. The committee operates on a voluntary basis and work to provide a well-run, family orientated and sporting club for all members. The aim is to provide facilities for both larger and smaller boats and to introduce junior members to dinghy sailing.