Lough Ree Sub Aqua was formed in 1983, by a group of local people from Lanesborough. The main reason for this formation was to assist in the recovery of persons gone missing in lakes and rivers in the area. With the help of Athlone & Mullingar Sub Aqua Clubs progress went on from then on.
Today we have almost 1 million euro worth of buildings and equipment and are now the best equipped diving club in Ireland.
Our members come from all over Ireland and play a big part in the success that we now have in the club. It also can be said that the past members without them we would be still in the dark ages, these people are not well remembered by the new members, but i am sure at a moments notice they are still there to lend a hand.
Club History
1983
At that time a group of ordinary local people got together after many local tragedies, they wanted a fast way to recover or find persons, gone missing in lakes and rivers, at that time there was no police divers in the area and people used to have to dredge the river with long hooks and hope for the best.
So this is where it all started from. We also became affiliated with C.F.T.
1984
A committee was formed with the help of Athlone and Mullingar Sub aqua clubs, the committee recruited members to join. A flat bottom boat was purchased that year.
1985
After one year of great progress , a number of members from that time became fully trained divers. Along with the training a good number of searches were carried out.
1986
That year seen more members join the club, that same year it was decided to buy a compressor and a small rib boat, the cost of this was seven thousand pounds.
1987
That year the club had 15 members and many searches carried also.
1988
The club in this year had a slight set back, it was a new club at the time and it needed better direction.
1989
After the set back of last year, it was time for the club to start off again, that year we had a number of serious callouts and searches. So the committee decided to get more members involved, Eddie Shey and John Frayne became trainee divers and along with a few others. They had to take the club to a higher level. That year we had five new trainee members, that year training was a day and night affair. Our chairman at that time was Timmy Glynn.
1990
That year the five new members were trained by Noel Farrell, Bernard Flynn, Tom Harrison who were in the club since it started.
1991
More members came on board, lots of training and lots of searches. That year the club decided to build a club house, it cost 28k approximate. It was the first every dive club house in Ireland.
1992
Great progress this year also, we had Ray Mc Cormack join us, who is still with us today and plays a very active part in the club.
After a lot of fund raising the club house was opened by Albert Reynolds in that year.
1993
Time was passing fast but the club went on being a service to the public. Tresa Donlon was Chairman that year.
1994
A lot of new members came to us, Sean Doyle who is our present Diving officer and Frank Casey who is the present Chairman.
1995
This was our quite year not much happened only lots of training and diving. A number searches outside the area mostly in Roscommon and Mayo. Ted Falvey was Chairman that year.
1996
The committee decided it was time to buy a new RIB, so we went off to England and purchased a 5-5 Tornado. it cost 12k, we still have this boat and is in good working order.
1997
John Fayne became chairman that year. That year we had record number of call outs on the river Shannon. A web site for da club also.
1998
That year the club purchased its first van a ford transit, we had this van for five years.
1999,
2000
We became well known that year as the club helped out Red Bull Drinks Company to do a TV add i have to say we all looked very well, more the driver of the boat. We were also told off by CFT, no one knows why.
2001
That year we had many new members Sean Conaghton, Katrina Kane,Emer Farrell, P.J. Maher, all came to the club that year.
2002
More members came, John Higgans, Paul Moylan, Pat Cunnane.
2003
That year seen Thomas Mc Glynn as chairman, sorry to everyone that I upset but that's life.
2004
Our new committee, we purchased a new compressor 11k, its the largest in Ireland
2005
A new boat 55k
2006
A new compressor and a other new boat 88k, more new members came namely Tracy Gray and Mick Farrell, who have a great interest in the club.
2007
A new club storage building 147k plus lots of free labour from the members and the rowing club members also.
2008
A new van and revamped the old club house. 75k in total
2008
A jeep was purchased and ten face masks for the members, the masks cost 9k the jeep 4k
2009
It was time for Frank Casey to take over the chair, we look forward to the rest of the story very soon.
2010
We are in the process of training a record number of divers this year
