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THE MAN HOPING to move a disused Boeing 767 from Shannon to the site of a new glamorous camping (glamping) village in Co Sligo has hit a setback.
David McGowan, a funeral director who is based in nearby Ballina, Co Mayo, has captured the imagination of people at home and abroad with his ambitious plan.
McGowan bought the disused plane from Shannon Airport for €20,000. It was originally owned by Russian airline Transaero.
He plans to turn it and other modes of transportation – such as buses, taxis and a train - into camping accommodation at the site in Enniscrone, Co Sligo.
The original plan was to move the plane via barge in March but this date was pushed back and the move is now due to take place on Friday week, 6 May.
Last Friday, McGowan held a meeting of all the various groups involved in the process – engineers, security, truck drivers, fishermen, the civil defence and gardaí, to name a few. Everyone said they were ready to go.
However, McGowan got some bad news on Saturday evening when he was informed that the tug boat to move the barge from Southampton in England (the only place they could find one large enough) is no longer available on the date it is needed.
He has been told another tug boat has been located, but will cost €25,000. He has already spent tens of thousands of euro on the plan.
Delaying the move date is not feasible because of the logistics and cost of putting plans in place for 6 May.
‘Soul-destroying’
Speaking to TheJournal.ie today, McGowan said the news is “soul-destroying” but he doesn’t want to let people down.
Do I disappoint the whole of Ireland or do I just give them €25,000? I don’t want to disappoint Enniscrone or Sligo or the country.
McGowan said he and others have been frantically trying to locate another tug boat.
“It’s a bad situation … Everything is in place in relation to the move, everyone is up for it,” he stated.
The plane is 159 feet long, weighs about 70 tonnes and has a 140-foot wing span. The wings are being cut off today to help the moving process.
McGowan said he is doing everything he can to make the plan work.
He noted how much support he has received from the public and how his plan has brought new life to the area.
I wanted to get people thinking differently, moving on from the depression country was in.
He has appealed to anyone who may be able to help find a new tug boat to get in touch.
Contact information can be found on Quirky Glamping Village’s website or Facebook page.
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Respect!
To defend an outpost with 150 men and no walls against thousands of armed attackers and have no fatalities….must be one of the greatest battles of the century, if not longer!
Wonderful idea….they deserve it and more.
The Defense Forces of today should count themselves lucky that they won’t have to go through what them poor lads did,in the Congo .
The Irish Defence forces are serving in quite a few unstable regions as we speak, the Golan Heights alongside the current Syrian civil war comes to mind, all it takes is for a loose cannon rebel commander to decide to engage them or capture them and then they’ll be caught up in a siege of their own.
@Mr KnowitAll: Your comment is pure ignorance.
@mrknowitall you obviously don’t have a clue of what our troops deal with day to day overseas….
Christ you haven’t got a clue MrKnowItAll , there is about 130 troops in the Golan Heights on the border between Syria and Israel right now http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/heroic-irish-troops-rescue-filipino-4131748
@Martin Fahy: Still better than the Congo.
I read it as him referring to the fact these men were abandoned in their hour of need by their command at home and treated like traitors after their return. Which the defence forces don’t have to deal with today (as far as I know). . . . But I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, he probably is just being a dick.
Mr knowitall you’re a clown rest assured today’s men and women will perform if needed. Same sorof thing said about Brit Army since 45 but performed OK in Korea, Malaya, Cyprus, Adenn, Yeen, Falklabnds. Afghanistan etc.
The Irish Defence Forces are respected by other professional armies. As Paul said its a big world wide military family who slag each. Other without mercy.
Respect to the survivors. If possible I intend to be at Collins.
Mr know it all if Liam has it right my apologies.
Hardy men there
FFS they all have free travel !!!!!
@Celtic Druid: Hi there – this trip is allowing all of their families to travel with them so that they have all the support they need for what will no doubt be an emotional journey. So, yes, the survivors are likely in receipt of a travel pass because of their age but they mostly need help and it’s to make this a big occasion for them by having everyone they love there.
Every time I read this story I become more and more amazed that there were no fatalities. A true credit to the men who were involved.
Saw The Siege of Jadotville on Netflix last night and was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie.
What amazing men to hold their position with no support or backup.
The only cowards are the Irish Government and the UN.
Very pleased these men will finally receive the recognition for their heroic actions on October 22!!!!
Respect to these brave men.our soldiers should not be in the Golan heights belonging to Syria but taken by Israel,who in turn gave US oil companies permission to drill for oil,and that’s what it’s all about,resources and greed.government pull our troops.
To The Heroes of the Irish A-Company
You Are the true spirit of Good men, gentlemen, Courage and true fellowship.
I would gladly Walk In to a fire With Any One of you brave men.
You Can ALWAYS Walk Proud.
Becous you were commandet by poor LEADERSHIP and came Home as Brothers.
To Your family, friends and me
you Will Always Be true heros.
Former FireFighter from Denmark
With love.❤️
Tonni
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