Belleek Regatta prepares to celebrate the heritage of the lake

BELLEEK Regatta returns in style this weekend for what will be a very special celebration.
Not only will this Sunday see the first Belleek Regatta be held in two years, the local heritage celebration day will also mark 200 years of cot racing on the lake and will be held in memory of the late Fred Ternan.
Speaking to the Herald, Andy Murie, chairman of the Belleek Development Heritage Group (BDHG) which has taken over management of the regatta, said the event “gets bigger and better” every year and continues to gain in popularity. popularity.
With the event taking place on the twelfth weekend, Mr Murie and organizers expect spectators to flock to the village from afar.
While boat racing is at the heart of the festivities, Mr Murie added that there would be plenty more activities this weekend to celebrate the heritage of the village on the banks of the Erne.
“Not only do we organize the regatta, we also build our own beds thanks to the Belleek Men’s Shed,” he said, stressing the importance of the event in preserving the skills of the past.
“We have a number of other events going on, there will be basket weaving, hardware and soda farl making, we will have two guys pretending to poteen, kayaking and lots of music traditional,” he continued.
“Next, at Wark Hall, there will also be an exhibition of old photographs of Belleek.”
With the event marking 200 years of cot racing on the Erne, this year’s regatta will also have a poignant aspect, with the BDHG having commissioned a special Fred Ternan Cup for the occasion.
A dear friend to many in the village, Mr Ternan, who died earlier this year, had been instrumental in reviving cot racing on the Erne through his work at Lough Erne Heritage.
Mr Murie recalled how the idea of ​​relaunching the Belleek Regatta in 2018 came about after a visit from Mr Ternan, who he said “absolutely loved coming to Belleek”. He said this weekend would be “a celebration of his life”.
Kick-off of the festivities on Sunday July 10 at 12 p.m. The races will start with the juniors, before moving on to the senior races. For more information, visit the Belleek Regatta page on Facebook.

Posted: 10:26 a.m. July 6, 2022

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