The Ballinamore Angling Festival 2022 came to a close on Friday with Roscommon angler, Dara Finnegan winning with a decent 53.100kg for his five days of fishing. Dara moved into the lead on day four with the weight of the week at the Rocks for 22.250kg, retaining this position with 12.750kg at the Pumphouse on the final day for the festival. Runner-up, for the second time – having reached the same position in 2018 – was James O’Doherty with 44.750kg. Seamie Winters, Tony Hopkins and Francis McGoldrick took third, fourth and fifth respectively.

It was the first time back for many of the match anglers since 2019 and it was good to see faces old and new. The competition was fished on Loughs Garadice, Scur and Kiltybardan and had the misfortune to coincide with spawning season for one of the key target species – the roach. This made fishing tough, particularly on Garadice. However, all of the anglers had to fish the same venues making for a level playing field overall.
Dara Finnegan took the honours
Thirty seven anglers fished this years event which saw a total payout on the entry money of €150 per angler, with the awards spread widely across everyone, including an additional prize from a local business owner awarded to the most encouraging overseas angler. Barry Matthews won this prize for his first festival fishing experience and visit to Ballinamore.
The competitors

The Lakelands Angling Club would like to thank its members who helped to facilitate the 2022 event, the local landowners and to Terry Shortt for providing the meeting place for the week along with refreshments. Thanks also to Padraig Mulligan who gets anglers to their pegs at Connolly’s Shore.

The 2023 festival will take place from Monday 22nd to Friday 26th May.

Ballinamore coarse angling centre