Ennell slipway available to all users, councillor assured

The slipway at the boathouse at Lilliput on Lough Ennell is available to all users, not only those who rent boats, Cllr Liam McDaniel was assured at the monthly meeting of Westmeath County Council.

The council was told that the boathouse and curtilage, which is owned by the council, was occupied by Peter Ganly, trading as Lilliput Boat Hire, under licence. Mr Ganly operated his boat hire business from the lakeshore slipway located adjacent to the boathouse, and utilised the building as a base for boat hire activities and for the storage of fishing boats and equipment.

Mr Ganly is retiring and Arur Niziolek from Portlaoise is interested in acquiring the Lilliput Boat Hire business and wishes to assume the licence for the boathouse as part of the proposed transfer, the meeting was advised.

The council had no objection to the transfer or reissue of the existing licence to the incoming proprietor, subject to the approval of the elected members and the completion of all necessary legal and administrative requirements, it was stated in a letter to the members.

In recognition of the significant community, recreational and tourism benefits provided by Lilliput Boat Hire, it was proposed that the licence be approved for a one-year period at the current annual rent of €500, the letter stated.

Cllr McDaniel asked what the licence covered. “I want to make sure the slipway is available to all users, not just those who rent out boats,” he said.

The chief executive, Barry Kehoe, assured him: “Absolutely, there is no question of the slipway being exclusive to anyone. It is a one-year licence and is only for the boathouse. If members have any concerns we can look at conditions for next year.”