Ahoy there! The barge leaves Donegal Town: Pic Paul O’Sullivan
By Paul O’Sullivan: One of Donegal Town’s most iconic boats left the Quay at 7.15am on Friday morning last for Limerick from where it will sail up the Shannon for Lough Derg.
There, it will serve as a houseboat for its’ new owner.
The photo ( taken at 7.20am) shows the 119 year old vessel approaching the 14th century Old Abbey in Donegal Town Estuary.
The 80ft long vessel is equipped with two bedrooms and two Ensuites as well as a Jacuzzi!
The Dutch Barge was built 1n 1895 and was most recently owned by local Waterbus skipper Robert Dunleavy who sold it a number of months ago.
It has been moored in front of Pier 1 on the Quay, Donegal Town for a number of years but undergoing extensive refurbishments in the past year.
Waterbus skippers Robert and Nicky Harron piloted the barge as far as Doorin Rock (off Mountcharles) where they handed it over to the new owner and crew.
She sailed across to Mullaghmore in Sligo and berthed there Friday night. At 6am Sat morning, she left Mullaghmore and will sail down the west coast to Limerick where she will steam up the Shannon to Lough Derg.
“I’ll be sorry to see it leave Donegal, to be honest ” Robert told Donegal Daily. “It’s been a landmark in Donegal Town for nearly 10 years and a big part of my life.”
Tags:
