Sea angling club is reeling in the years

A NORTHSIDE club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Howth Sea Angling Club was formed in 1970 and since then, has developed into one of the foremost angling clubs in Ireland. 

Today, the club has its own boats and clubhouse and has a growing membership. It is very proud of its heritage and the role it has played in promoting sea angling within the region.

The club’s first meeting took place at the Royal Hotel (Baily Court Hotel) on February 13, 1970. Since then, meetings have been held on a monthly basis in such venues as The Camelot, The Grove, The Asgard, The Summit, The Pier House, and The Deer Park. 

However, it was in the late ‘70s that the idea of an angling centre as a home for the club was first mentioned. 

Under the chairmanship of Howth SAC’s first President, Michael O’Leary, a series of fundraising campaigns, including race nights, Lotto, American nights, Christmas fairs, auctions and its biggest regular fundraiser, the Howth Strawberry Fair, were organised. The club is also indebted to businesses including Chadwicks, Pharmacare, Cantrell and Cochrane, Wella, Green Isle, Abbey Life and EBS Sutton who all generously supported, through sponsorship, the competitions, boat and shore. 

The competitions organised by the club were the Howth Open which was held during Howth Festival week and the Rush Open.

However, the competition most synonymous with the club, was the Midsummer Night’s Madness, a beach competition, held on the Saturday nearest to June 21 every year. 

Through the good offices of FAS, the members’ dream of having their own angling centre became a reality with the official opening of the premises by Minister Michael Woods in 1993. 

The centre is a monument to the progressive thinking, ceaseless determination and countless hours of hard work by successive committee and members of the club.

The clubhouse is ideally situated on Howth Pier. It has full bar facilities, function room, kitchen and designated external heated smoking area. The building also houses two of the club’s three boats. The third boat is moored in Howth Harbour. 

The boats consist of two 16′Strikeliners, both equipped with 30 HP engine, GPS, Radio and Fishfinder and one 19′ Fastworker with a 100 HP engine and equipped with GPS, Radio and Fishfinder.

Howth Sea Angling organises both shore and boat competitions throughout the year and always welcomes new members. If you would like to become a member, visit its website www.howthsac.net/membership-application/ and complete an online application form.