Epic eco-boat journey's link to Tullamore
Two new technology artists who travelled from Limerick to Enniskillen in a solar-powered electric eco boat this summer chose Tullamore as the location for a hot desk from where they coordinated the innovative trip.
Anne Cleary from Limerick and her husband, Denis Connolly from Dublin, were featured in an episode of RTE’s Nationwide last week on their solar electric boat, the Mayfly, as they became the first couple to navigate Ireland’s waterway network all the way from Limerick to Enniskillen.
Mary Hensey, who is Business Development Manager with The Junction Innovation Centre in Tullamore’s Axis Business Park, confirmed to the Offaly Independent that the couple have been renting a desk in the centre “for the past four months”.
Mary says the desk “serves as a base” for the couple and is manned by an employee who looks after all the communication that Anne Cleary and Denis Connolly have been receiving since they set out on their epic journey on May 1 last.
The Mayfly solar-powered electric eco boat attracted huge public attention on its journey through the Midlands, stopping off at a number of locations including Portumna, Shannonbridge and Clonmacnoise before heading to Athlone and into Lough Ree on its way to Enniskillen.
The new technology artists, who have documented their journey on www.theschooloflooking.com have big plans for the future as they have leased a barge and plan to convert it to solar power next year before testing it out on the waterway network.
Mary Hensey said The Junction was “delighted” to be able to provide the facilities for the Cleary/Connolly couple to receive emails and other forms of communication during their trip, which was supported by the Arts Council and Science Foundation Ireland.
The Junction is a multi-functional space providing a range of facilities to businesses, including high speed broadband, hot-desk facilities, office suites, business training, mentoring and facilities for people to develop ideas and start up new businesses.