This year, once again almost 50 anglers took part in the 56th Westport Sea Angling Festival Shore and Boat Competition. Weather conditions were poor with wind and rain on Friday and Saturday but a big improvement on Sunday with bright sunshine. 2,633 fish were recorded and returned alive to the sea – Species included Dogfish, Bull Huss, Ray, Tub Gurnard, Blonde Ray and Bearded Rockling. 109 fish were recorded in the Shore Competition, fished off Inishgort Lighthouse.
The organisers and anglers wish to remember a dear angling friend Danny Chisholm, England who passed away during the year, also remembering another dear friend, Patsy Ketterick who is dearly missed by everyone.
The Westport Sea Angling Club want to sincerely thank the following:
Harry and Deirdre Hughes, Portwest, without whose sponsorship we would not survive. Kevin Joyce and staff at ‘The Asgard’ for taking care of the anglers each evening. Hotel Westport for their help. Cllr. Christy Hyland (Cathaoirleach) for his attendance at the Prize presentation. The Boatmen for all their dedication and hard work and finally to each and every angler for taking part in this event. We are very grateful for your continued support.
| Shore Competition | 1st - Steve Quinn, England - 41 fish, 171pts 2nd - Ray McLaughlin, Galway - 25 fish, 108pts 3rd - Kenneth Canning, Westport - 15 fish, 69pts |  |
| Overall | 1st - Steve Quinn, England - 504pts 2nd - Darragh Connolly, Westport - 426pts 3rd - David Ferson, Westport - 387pts |  |
| Ladies Champion | Margaret Sweeney, Achill |  |
| Junior Champion | 1st - Darragh Connolly - 426pts 2nd - Tomás Kelly - 219pts 3rd - Kevin Gannon - 219pts 4th - Liam Gavin - 218pts 5th - Oisín Gannon - 216pts 6th - Matthew & Andrew Ferson |  |
| Overseas | 1st - Alan Reid, Wales - 384pts 2nd - Tommy Dunn, England - 363pts 3rd - Ian Moore, England - 354pts |  |
| Team of Two | 1st - David McDermott, Mullingar & Pieter Rietveld (j.), Netherlands 2nd - Damien Gannon, Westport & Tony Clisset, England 3rd - Tom McDermott, Mullingar & Peter Rietveld (s.), Netherlands |  |
| Team of Four | 1st - England - Steve Quinn, Allan Suddick, Ian Moore, Richard Lowe 2nd - Wales - Alan Reid, Gwyn Andrews, Garry Jones, Wyn Parry 3rd - Ireland - Padraic Ketterick, Colin Loftus, David Ferson, Jeff Moran |  |
| Daily Prizes: Friday | 1st - Tommy Dunn, England - 189pts 2nd - David Ferson, Westport - 171pts 3rd - Ian Moore, England - 168pts |  |
| Daily Prizes: Saturday | 1st - Steve Quinn, England - 222pts 2nd - Gary Jones, Wales - 129pts 3rd - David McDermott, Mullingar - 123pts |  |
| Daily Prizes: Sunday | 1st - David McDermott, Mullingar - 189pts 2nd - Darragh Connolly, Westport - 180pts 3rd - Alan Reid, Wales - 180pts |  |
| Individual Fish Awards: | Tub Gurnard - Alan Reid Blonde Ray - Oisín Gannon Ray -Thomas Moran / Allan Suddick Huss - Tony Clisset |  |
| Champion Boatman | Tom Moran - 'The Restorick' |  |
