ANNIVERSARY OF FIRESTONE

An event to mark the 40th anniversary of the building of a concrete boat will be held in Bray next week.

The Firestone was built by Harry and Buddy Boland and George Farrell in the summer of 1977.

Brothers Harry and the late Buddy approached builder George and showed him two books, one on converted ships lifeboats, and a New Zealand book on building ferro cement boats.

They asked him if a ferro cement type boat about 26 to 27 foot could be built.

He said it could, and the Firestone was built in the summer of 1977 over a five-week period. They didn’t have Google or Youtube in those days, and relied on their own knowledge and innovativeness.

When they started they had no plans and no blueprint. The boat was often taken out fishing. The Firestone took an unmanned trip to Cardigan Bay in the 1980s, after getting blown off its mooring.

She got safely home on that occasion. The Firestone was later sold on and they don’t know what ultimately became of it. If anybody out there knows where it is, they can contact Harry on (01) 2765056 or (086) 2177247. Meanwhile, the anniversary celebration will take place in the Harbour Bar on Tuesday, June 6, at 7.30 p.m.