Discover this podcast and so much more

Podcasts are free to enjoy without a subscription. We also offer ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more for just $11.99/month.

#149 Conor & Tom McLaughlin: Red Bay Boats

#149 Conor & Tom McLaughlin: Red Bay Boats

FromBest Of Belfast: Northern Ireland's #1 Interview Podcast


#149 Conor & Tom McLaughlin: Red Bay Boats

FromBest Of Belfast: Northern Ireland's #1 Interview Podcast

ratings:
Length:
66 minutes
Released:
Jun 22, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Red Bay Boats is a family business in Cushendall that has built over 1000 boats and 'shipped' to 30+ different countries around the world.   After reading a book on boat building Tom McLaughlin dropped out of school to restore an old rotten rowboat.   Since then, Red Bay have made boats used by the royal family, anti-pirate authorities, ferries, tour-guides and fishermen.   His son Conor — now a master-boat builder himself — works full-time in the family business and is responsible for building and delivering their bespoke vessels as far as Svalbard; an island 500 miles north of Norway.   In today's episode we caught up with Tom and Conor on their boat for this Father's day special to talk about: The fascinating link between the North Coast and Scotland (which is closer to Cushendall than Ballymena) What it's like to work so closely with family How they "make memories" for their customers The camaraderie of the local sailing community And the challenges/successes they've experienced along the way. This fascinating episode — set to the soundtrack of the North Coast waves — shares the story on an incredible family carrying on Northern Ireland's shipbuilding legacy and having a lot of fun along the way.   You'd be daft to miss it!   //   Link to webpage for this episode: https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/red-bay-boats   Best Of Belfast is Northern Ireland's #1 Interview Podcast. We've shared 100+ hour-long conversations with incredible people from Northern Ireland.   To find out more, or join 'The Producers Club' please visit https://bestofbelfast.org/   Cheers!   — Matt 
Released:
Jun 22, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

We believe Northern Ireland has a better story to tell — one that goes beyond bombs, bullets and a sunken ship. You are part of this story. With 180+ conversations featuring some of the incredible people who call this place home, our weekly show gives you the chance to get away from the clickbait and connect with the amazing things happening on your doorstep. Previous guests include NASA Scientists, Billion-Dollar CEOs, 91-year-old parkrunners, teenaged entrepreneurs, Oscar-winning directors, Olympic Gold medalists, Bitcoin Auctioneers, Tim Burton's puppet-maker and a guy who built an aeroplane in his garage. Well-known voices include Snow Patrol, Foy Vance, Julian Simmons, May McFettridge, Zoe Salmon, Andrew Trimble, The Dead Rabbit, Michael Deane, The Priests, Two Door Cinema Club, Oliver Jeffers, Pete Snodden, Colin Geddis, Mary Peters, Rebecca McKinney and May Blood — the millworker who became a peer in the House Of Lords. Best Of Belfast is an independent, crowdfunded show with no political or religious agenda. It's hosted by 26-year-old writer Matthew Thompson and publishes a new episode every single Monday! To see photos of all 180+ guests, sign up to our free newsletter and support the show please visit https://bestofbelfast.org/