Leading the way in disability accessible recreation in West Limerick, Pallaskenry’s Bleach Lough will reopen next week having undergone a major overhaul to encourage local, national and international tourism into the area. The project was funded under the The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

Following a €300,000 development and upgrade, Bleach Lough will be officially re-launched to the public on Sunday May 23rd at 3pm. With major support from West Limerick Resources, Limerick County Council and the National Lottery, this local angling, community and tourist amenity has been completely overhauled by Bleach Lough Anglers Ltd, with the installation of a new marina, four new fishing pontoons, state of the art security system, new car park and a disabled access fishing platform. The new facilities will be officially opened by Mrs Joan Hevenor, widow of recently deceased founding member Pat Hevenor R.I.P.

Bleach Lough is a 55 acre spring water lake situated near Dromore Castle on the outskirts of Pallaskenry. In 1982 a local group came together to develop the amenity. Formerly known as Dromore District Anglers, the club changed its name to Bleach Lough Anglers in 2008 and with the new name came a desire to upgrade and enhance the recreational amenity for all sections of the community. Putting in place a planned phased development to upgrade and improve overall facilities, one of the central focuses of the proposed work was to increase access for the elderly, less agile and disabled users.

“The club has always strived to offer all users an enjoyable and safe experience. While the lake has always been in pristine condition and well stocked, it was quite difficult to access,” explained club secretary Oliver Deegan. “We identified a number of essential upgrades, which would also enable us to market Bleach Lough as a unique tourism and recreational facility for the disabled not available within a 60 mile radius.”

Having already undertaken the first three phases in the development plan, the group applied to West Limerick Resources in 2009 and were granted over €46,000 under the Salmon Community Support Scheme to install a disabled access fishing platform including hoist, wheelchair access from car-park and guardrail. They followed on with a second application for €124,415 under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 to complete the final phase of the upgrade which included the installation of floating marina pontoons, four new fishing platforms, landscaping, new entrance gates and security system.

“The reaction to the work completed in the first four stages of the development has been very positive from both visiting anglers and from local people who use our facility,” continued Mr Deegan. “A number of Hoteliers and B&B owners have visited the facility and are all prepared to recommend it to their guests. With stage five now complete, we hope that Bleach Lough will greatly enhance the local community, promoting local tourism and providing access for disabled and under privileged to a unique recreational amenity.”

Bleach Lough is one of the prime non-commercial Trout Fisheries in the Munster Region, serving over three hundred and fifty members from the local community, as well as visitors from all over Ireland and Europe. According to Mr Deegan, the number of day visitors who took out permits in July 2009 was double the number for the complete season of 2008. Appealing to all sectors of the community including young and old, those with special needs and fishing enthusiasts, the volunteer run club has continued to grow since its establishment and also caters for local youth groups, schools, tourists and outings for local companies.

“Bleach Lough has the potential to become an important part of the tourism product in West Limerick as well as offering a unique amenity and recreational facility for the community,” says Joan Casey, Rural Development Programme Coordinator with West Limerick Resources. “West Limerick needs to maximise the potential of all its natural resources both for the good of the community in terms of quality of life and the economic benefits that can derive from these amenities. West Limerick Resources would like to congratulate Bleach Lough Anglers for their vision, their work and their achievement and wish them all the best for their continued development.”

Open each year from March to December, Bleach Lough is frequently stocked with Rainbow Trout, with catches weighing up to 10lbs common. Main activities on the lake are Trout or coarse fishing with natural species found in the lake including Perch, Rudd and Pike. Boats and fishing equipment, along with seasonal and day permits, are available.

Along with an investment of club funds and grant aid from West Limerick Resources, the group also received €15,000 from the National Lottery under the Sports Capital Programme and €26,000 from Limerick County Council towards the development of Bleach Lough. Bleach Lough Anglers would like to acknowledge the support of these organisations and that of the Department of the Environment and the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board.

This project was funded under the The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 which is financed by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and part-funded by the EU under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

This article first appeared on the West Limerick Resources web site.