Gormanston & District Anglers Club

Balrothery

North County Dublin

Brief History

Gormanston & District Anglers were set up originally in the 1970’s to take charge and care of the Delvin River. This small river borders is the naturally border between North County Dublin and Co Meath. The river albeit small had a decent stock of brown trout supplemented with a sea trout run.

Knock (Now known as the Wavin) Lake was man made in the early nineteenth century (1826) to provide water for the Cotton Mills in the Balbriggan area. It was acquired by Wavin, the country's largest manufacturer and distributor of PVC pipe systems, in 1974 to augment the Balbriggan water supply to the factory, so as to ensure a constant level of water for the plant's cooling process.

Twenty years later, after improvements to the water supply system in the area, Wavin no longer needed the lake as a commercial natural resource. So, the lake effectively became redundant, but remained rich as a community resource full of beautiful wild life and fauna. However, access to it was difficult so much of its richness was not accessible to the community.

Anxious to conserve the area as a natural resource for the community, and despite offers to acquire the lake land for building purposes, Wavin decided to donate the lake to the Gormanston & District Anglers club for use as an amenity area. In return, the anglers would make the area accessible to local community and ensure that the area was maintained as a wildlife sanctuary and the flora and fauna were preserved.

To ensure that the local community and Wavin’s customers were aware of what Wavin was doing and why. There were several events staged over a period of 18 months, each of which was used by the company to communicate with its targeted audiences. National newspapers (environmental, news and business interest) and trade publications were targeted more to inform Wavin’ s customers, while local newspapers and event invitations targeted more directly the local community.

Wavin’s in house newsletter, 'Wavelengths', was also used to communicate with employees in Balbriggan and in other Wavin businesses throughout Europe.

January 1993: Wavin donate lake as local amenity

The official signing over of the lake from Wavin to GFC took the form of a photo call for the national, local and trade press. The lake side function was attended by Green party TD, Trevor Sargent. To add to an unusual story, the event provided photographers with a picturesque setting for pictures.

The flavour of the event was captured by Derek Evans: > The tranquility of the lake on Thursday last was a sight to behold: a family of swans enjoying the freedom and richness of lake's assets; a flock of Brent geese settling in for winter." (Irish Times 30.1.93)

February 1993: fishing club stock their new lake with 1,000 trout

The GFC stocked their newly acquired lake with 1,000 trout, transported in huge dustbins to the lakeside.  "It looked a bit fishy - plenty of fishermen, a big catch but not a fishing rod in sight." (quoted Eugene Moloney, Evening Herald, 2.2.93)

May 1993: official opening - the first line is cast

The official opening was made into a major event with the first line being cast by Wavin’ s Managing Director, Des Byrne. Staged on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in May (even the weather was prearranged), the event was a family affair for locals, public representatives, and the media. Knock changes to Wavin

The history of the lake took an added twist when the G D & A renamed the lake, the Wavin Lake, as a gesture of thanks to the company.

July 1994: Developments

A further stage in the development of the project was reached with the completion of local amenities around the lake for which a special feature was organized with the Evening Herald. At this stage the GFC had

• Stocked the lake with rainbow and brown trout Preserved the wildlife area
• Planted new trees
• Built a car park
• Created a walkway around the lake to make it more accessible to local people.

"In these times of recession, it is refreshing to report on a truly splendid gesture which most capture the imagination of all anglers. On Thursday last Wavin Ltd. donated the rights of a 33-acre lake to the Gormanston & District Anglers, thereby setting a precedent unrivaled in modern Irish angling." (Irish Times, 30.1.93)

Unusual photographers and colorful editorial featured at each stage of the project in both the national and local press. Reaction from the local community was warm and intense judging from the scores of people who attended the official opening ceremony.

For the G D & A, having its own lake has resulted in a membership increase of 500%. In 1992 it had 40 members and now it has over 200 and still going.

In 2004 because it was decided by the club to remove the brown trout stock from the lake and t turn the Wavin lake into an all year fishery.

January 2007 to present: more developments

In 2007 Gormanston & District Anglers club in conjunction with OPW and support of local residents and with the kind donation from Wavin for the piping,  re-piped the Salmon stream into the lake to guarantee our supply of quality water and avoid local flooding in the area.

In 2008 Gormanston Anglers received funding from Fingal County Council to erect a boat maintenance shed and winter boat platform, which phase one was completed in 2009

The club arranged its first nature awareness day in March 09 inviting the local St Oliver’s National school to the lake, the field trip was on the day of a our first 09 stock. The 60 kids that attended, witnessed the stocking and assisted senior members in same. Fly casting tuition was also provided by M Robert Kenny our club president and a number of the committee members gave talks on angling methods. Bird Watch Ireland were also on hand to show the kids some of the 56 species of bird that live in the environs of the lake.

In 2010 in conjunction with FAS, the lake now has a maintenance team working part time, this team maintains the lake and environs. The lake is now safe to walk around for both anglers and nature lovers to enjoy the wildlife

The club continues to look forward and are engaging in more projects to improve the lake for all anglers and local citizens.

Pictures below were taken by Frank Bergin  shortly after Gormanston & District anglers took control of the Wavin

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