Papers of master Roscommon boatbuilder to go on permanent display at county library
The late master boatbuilder Jimmy Furey outside his cottage in Mount Plunkett. Pic. David Shaw-Smith
The papers of legendary Roscommon boatbuilder Jimmy Furey are to go on permanent display at the county library.
March 2026 will mark the centenary of the late Mr Furey’s birth in Mount Plunkett and his estate is now in the process of commemorating this landmark by establishing a permanent home for his boatbuilding papers at the library.
To this end, relevant materials which remained in his cottage following his June 2020 death are now being permanently lodged with the library for cataloguing.
The ultimate objective is to provide an easily accessible resource for young talents wishing to follow in the master boatbuilder’s footsteps and who can learn from and be inspired by his life’s work.
“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 energise future generations of craftsmen and women”, said a spokesperson for the estate.
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 more wind in this meaningful project’s sails, should email: JimmyFureyCentenary@gmail.com or call/text: 089 200 4349.
