Water great idea - a floating sleigh

By Anthony Murphy, Drogheda Leader - December 17th 2003

SANTA has made some spectacular entrances in his time, but none will have been more dramatic - or alternative - than this year, when he speeds up the Boyne on a 44-foot floating sleigh.

In a heart-warming gesture of thanks to the people of Drogheda for their support over the years, the Boyne Fishermens Rescue and Recovery Service (BFRRS) has come up with the unique idea of bringing Santa to Drogheda on water.

The enormous sleigh has been constructed by 15 volunteers of the BFRRS who have been working on the project for over 10 hours a day over the last couple of weeks to complete it for its official launch this weekend.

The plan is to bring Santa Claus up the river this Saturday between 12 noon and 1pm, to be greeted by the Mayor and dignitaries, and anyone who wishes to come along to enjoy the spectacle.

There will be another great surprise for the gathered crowds too but we've been sworn to secrecy until the big day!

The floating sleigh will then spend the next five days on the river - up until Christmas Eve - for up to eight hours a day.

The Drogheda Leader was allowed an exclusive sneak preview of the "vessel" last Sunday, when it was taken for "sea trials" near the mouth of the Boyne at Baltray.

Despite its size, the floating sleigh achieved a good speed up to 20mph and was stable thoughout the trials. Over 30 volunteers who assembled at Baltray to watch the trials were delighted with the sleigh's performance.

"Let's hope it stays afloat:' one onlooker said, "Just imagine the headlines if Santa sunk on the Boyne! The children of the world would be devastated!"

BFRRS spokesman Michael Hodgins said the whole idea was not only to thank the people of the town for their support of the organisation, but also "to help take some of the doom and gloom out of the river" at what can be a very depressing time of the year.

"This is our way of thanking everyone for helping us out with the new boathouse, construction of which will hopefully start in February," Michael told the Drogheda Leader

This latest initiative follows the spectacular fundraiser earlier in the year in which BFRRS members rowed all the way from the Isle of Man to Drogheda.

The floating sleigh, specially painted by Drogheda artist Darren Finnegan, is "pulled" by four giant reindeer. The reindeer sit on a small dingy, while the main structure sits atop one of the BFRRS speedboats, which will be operated by Michael Hodgins. Boyne Fishermens' secretary Paul Burke will be taking the hot seat on the big day.

The group was delighted to have the assistance of Pashcal McGuffin, a local man of the sea who built his own yacht, who helped with welding, and they are grateful to the Garden Depot, Donore Road, which will be supplying festive lights which will adorn the sleigh on its way up the Boyne.

The BFRRS is looking for local individuals or businesses to sponsor sweets, minerals and goodies which can be handed out to children during the festivities

© Drogheda Leader