Creative Alan paddles his own

WHEN Alan
Mulligan lost his job in construction after spending more than 25 years in the
industry, he didn’t spend too long dwelling on the huge disappointment.

The
father-of-three from Darndale decided to put his skills to good use and built a
17-foot canoe after reading an article online.

“I’ve always had
a thing for boats and for years wanted to have my own fishing boat,

? Alan told
Northside People.

“I read this
article called: How to build your own boat, I bought a book and it took off
from there.

“As my son,
Evan, tried canoeing at school, I thought I’d aim to build a sea kayak.

“I got the
materials together and my wife Martina bought me timber for my birthday.

“The materials
cost me around

?¬800 which is a lot when you’re not working.

?

Alan started out
on his ambitious project in July 2010 and managed to get the boat into the
water in April this year.

“I brought it
down to Burrow Beach in Sutton,

? he said.

“I’ve since had it out in a few
places like Howth and Dollymount.

?

Alan said his
family have been very supportive of the project although they were

“giving out
about all the sawdust

?.

“I have no side
entrance at my house either so I had to make sure that before I built the boat,
I would be able to get it out through the house,

? he stated.

Although Alan
would love to receive commissions to build more boats, he said his main aim now
is to get back into the construction industry.

“I’ve been
sending out CVs but it’s very difficult at the moment,

? he explained.

“I’ve been
around the block in the trade and have worked in places like Temple Bar, the
Office of Public Works (OPW) and Killeen Castle. I’d really like to get back
into it.

?

As for the boat
building, he said it’s a very good pastime and

“keeps you sane

?.

Alan’s maxim is:

‘if it can be done by man – it can be done by any man’. One look at his
fantastic piece of creativity will certainly testify to that!