The enterprise successfully developed and in the 1980s Denis's nephew Noel O'Flynn, took over the running of the venue in the 1980s. During that decade, the ESB and the Boating Club reclaimed some of the land from the reservoir in line with a recreational plan for the area. Noel remembers that the site was thronged during the high summer and great weather in 1985 and 1986.

One could hire a boat by day and take part in a BBQ and disco, which was held in the evenings at the Loinge Club or at the club house. Bus loads of Spanish students came out from the city to the site. A scout jamboree was held one year in the mid 1980's. An adjacent field became full of scouts with tents with permission of the landowner Paddy O'Mahony. The Argonauts Kayak Club also used the site for their activities in the mid 1980's. The individuals involved in regattas on Inniscarra Reservoir hired boats from Noel for its participants.

The Cork Trout Anglers Association held the Pope Cup on the Reservoir. The Association were based at 25 St Patrick's Street and hired boats at Inishleena. The 17- foot timber boats were used. The weigh in was held at the Four Seasons Hotel (formerly Bill Williams House and later to become known as the West County) in Lower Dripsey. The Hotel was a popular establishment, which was also used by locals for wedding parties.

The Cork Boating Centre faded out in the 1980s but in recent years interest has arisen again in the site and its sailing potential. What remains of the Boating Centre are cherished memories and stories, many of which are difficult to document as one had to be there but the pictures around our article serve as some reminder of not only the physical development of the site but the laugh and exploration had by all who stopped by over the years.

Sincere thanks to Noel O'Flynn for sharing his memories.

To be continued…

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