Hodson Bay in Athlone was one of the stops on an ambitious rowing fund-raiser from Donegal to Limerick, undertaken by two Donegal brothers this week.
The epic 232-mile journey through rivers, canals, and lakes in 13 counties was expected to take 21 days, but Martin and Mike O'Boyle are now expected to complete it in 11 or 12 days.
They arrived in Westmeath on Tuesday, where they stayed for the night on the shores of Lough Ree. It is understood that they were treated to a massage and use of the spa by the staff of the Hodson Bay Hotel. According to Aidan Haughey, local people were very generous. Video footage of the Athlone leg of the venture can be seen on the website www.headland.ie
It is understood that it is the first time that rowers have traversed the Erne and Shannon waterways at the one time, which entails travelling through Donegal, Fermanagh, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Longford, Roscommon, Galway, Westmeath, Offaly, Clare, Tipperary, and Limerick. The 19-foot boat which was built by the O'Boyle brothers and their father Michael, is made mainly of larch using traditional methods and design. The O'Boyle brothers commenced intensive physical training for the challenge three months ago.
The journey is being filmed by Donegal based film makers Headland Productions. People can send messages of support or comments, which will be conveyed to the rowers at [email protected]. Donations to participating hospice groups can be made directly to a Bank of Ireland bank account, Erne Shannon Challenge. The account number is 87033672, sort code 904835.
