Never mind gondolas – it’s the Boyne ducks

Drogheda Independent - Friday June 18th 2004

MANY eyes have been drawn to the strange wooden structure floating near St Dominic’s Bridge on the Boyne.

The structure has been the cause of much confusion and guess work since the Boyne Fishermen Rescue and Recovery Service built it.

Always wanting to let on they know more than they do, Droghedeans have developed a number of different theories on the purpose of the structure.

Let us be clear on one thing. It is not a parking bay for the fabled gondolas!

Lobster pots and beaver cages were among the suggestions this Droghedean heard but neither is correct.

The answer is ducks. Mallards to be precise. And the purpose is not to catch the birds but to acclimatise them to the Boyne before freeing them.

The mallards will be brought from Cork on Friday and kept in the floating duck pen until they become accustomed to their surroundings.

After a couple of weeks they will be released in the hope that they will set up home on the banks of the Boyne, creating an aesthetic feature on the ancient river.

The scheme is a brainwave of the environment department of Drogheda Borough Council who are being ably assisted by the Rescuers.

© Drogheda Independent