The Dundalk Salmon Anglers Association was founded in 1961 in the old Imperial Hotel, Park St. Dundalk

The object of the Association was to acquire and lease the fishery known as "Shuckburgh" on the river Fane. The name "Shuckburgh" came from an English landlord called Lord Shuckburgh, who at that time owned the five miles of netting rights from the mouth of the Fane to the top of the wood at Craig's farm leading into Mackins.

Negotiations were successful in 1961 in aquiring a yearly lease through the Association Solicitors P.J Kennedy and sons of Carrickmacross and Lord Shuckburgh.

The first A.G.M took place a year later in 1962 in the Imperial Hotel. Membership grew each year from there-on with anglers joiningthe Club from Dublin, Drogheda, Dunleer, Ardee, Carrickmacross and many parts of the North of Ireland.



Work began in 1962 to erect stiles, stands and a boom to keep the sea-rack back during the seatrout season. This boom was erected at a point near the railway bridge at Mc Kennas. All these stands and stiles were made from wood (not like the steel ones of today). Two lorry loads of timber were supplied by Duffy Builders free of charge, all the club had to do was buy the nails and from there on the work was done by the members.

In 1963-1964 an agreement was signed through the Associations Solicitor and Edythe Fortescue for a lease of 21 years with the rite of renewal. The Club still pay the rates of this fishery. Edythe Forthescue died in 1966 and the house and estate was passed on to Major Digby Hamilton of England. It was then sold in 1975. Today it is sad to see Stephenstown House in ruin and the beautiful woodland all gone forever.

Competitions are held each year on the fishery venue points are at Craigs Farm and McKenas Bridge. The Cups which the Association own were presented by the following, Irene Quinn Cup from Ballymac Hotel. The Glyde Cup from cllr. Jim Donnegan Snr from Dunleer. The Alex Henderson Cup from Harry Watters from "Thornville" Mullaharlin, whose wife was Henderdson. The Roddy Minogue Cup from John Minogue, Park Villas, Dundalk



In 1972-73 there was no A.G.M the reason was that the net fishermen out bid the Association for the one year lease. However our thanks to the landowners who would not let them trespass their land. It was in those years after many meetings and ideas, it was decided by the members to buy-out the fishery. A company was founded together with Bord Failte and this is how the Shuckburgh Fisheries purchace was achived.

The Derryhale Bridge was presented to the Association by cllr. Vincent McKey in 1976. It was fitted into place by the members and the help of cllr. John Lambe snr.

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