Established in 1990, the Tarbert Island Maritime club was formed by a group of local people when they took a lease on the fisheries building from Kerry County Council. The building had been previously owned by the ESB Shannon Fisheries. The building was used to make timber salmon boxes and to repair boats which were used on the River Shannon. Then a decision was taken to remove all the weirs from the river and the fisheries boat was sold.
Subsequently, the Kerry County council purchased the building and knocked 1/3 of it because they wanted to create enough space to erect public toilets at Tarbert Island.
In 2008, the Maritime club nominated a subcommittee to meet with and negotiate with the Kerry County council with a view to purchasing the building. In 2014 this became a reality, and the club began a 999-year lease.
When the club was newly formed the first initiative was to build a concrete yard and wall to maintain a secure area for the club boats. Club officers, led by Commodore Charlie McGibney, fulfilled their duties overseeing developments.
Johnny Mulvihill and Teddy Griffen were the driving force to purchase two rowing boats. 10 members pledged €10 per week to buy two lake boats; they were a successful part of club activity. Charlie McGibney, eager to pass on his love of the water and sailing ran canoe and sailing classes with the vocational schools.
Tarbert Island Maritime Club played an important role in the social life of our community. In the 80’s and 90’s regattas were held all along the estuary. Ballylongford, Tarbert, Glin, Foynes, Cappagh, Kildysart and Askeaton. There were many fun days with swimming, rowing, greasy pole, and a duck race. Rescue helicopter shows, barbecues and rescue boat demonstrations were all features of the annual social life on our community calendar. Due to the varying tides, a lot of forward planning was necessary.
Later sailing and the raft race were introduced. Tarbert maritime club ran these with great success. Unfortunately, due to insurance reasons, many events had to cease. In 2014 the sailing part was reintroduced in memory of Charlie and Ita McGibney. The Tarbert regatta has grown every year and is always a great success.
Tarbert Maritime Club over the years has had sailors competing far and wide. The club has been represented at regional level in WIORA, and at national level in the ICRA championships. Diarmuid Donovan has represented the club in the J24 national championships, winning it in 2003 with his boat “VIRJIN (on the ridiculous)”. He also completed the clipper round the world race.
Disaray has won many races and events over the years and has represented the club near and far. In 2005 Disaray completed the voyage to Tarbert in Scotland to compete in the Scottish series. Great unions were forged between the two Tarbert’s.
The club continues to grow and there have been many outings were the club sailing boats travel up or down the Shannon Estuary. The club has eight keel boats that compete regularly. We look forward to many more outings and to the 2024 Tarbert regatta which hopefully will be bigger and better than ever, this will be in early June date to be confirmed.
