March 2026 will mark the centenary of legendary Irish boatbuilder Jimmy Furey’s birth in Mount Plunkett, Roscommon.
Mr. Furey’s estate is now in the process of commemorating this landmark by establishing a permanent home for his boatbuilding papers at Roscommon County Library. To this end, such relevant materials as remained in Mr. Furey’s cottage following his June 2020 death aged 94 are now being permanently lodged with the library for cataloguing. The ultimate objective is an easily accessible resource where young talents wishing to follow in the master boatbuilder’s footsteps can learn from and be inspired by his life’s work.
Despite being almost entirely self-taught, Jimmy Furey clinker-built more than 20 Shannon One Design (SOD) dinghies between the early-1970s and mid-2000s.
Jimmy also made detailed scale models
“While Jimmy was opposed to the idea of any kind of formal museum display, he would have been delighted to see his expertise being used to energize future generations of craftsmen and women”, said a spokesperson for the estate.
Watch the 1988 RTÉ documentary which showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of building a Shannon One Design sailboat. The builder, a farmer and fisherman, combines traditional techniques with precise measurements. Witness the detailed process, from selecting timber to the final launch, in this captivating Irish craft tradition. https://youtu.be/0meQiENR4zA
To ensure the success of this initiative, the estate is now seeking the support of individuals or the various yacht clubs and sailing/modelmaking associations with which the late boatbuilder was affiliated. Given the high regard in which Mr. Furey was held in such circles, it is hoped those in possession of suitable additional materials will consider either permanently donating or loaning their items to the library for scanning.
Interested parties, eager to learn more, or who have ideas that could help put still more wind in this meaningful project’s sails, should email: JimmyFureyCentenary@gmail.com or call/text: 089 200 4349.
