Club reformed

Towards the end of the Victorian era, in 1895, Athlone Yacht Club was reformed. The first rule of the new club heralds the change of name: "This club shall be called the Lough Ree Yacht Club and shall consist of gentlemen desirous of encouraging yachting, match sailing, and boating on Lough Ree."

Obviously Carberry Island was no longer deemed an appropriate base for the club and instead it was suggested that Kennedy's Island (otherwise known as Connoy's Island, or in more recent times Charlie's Island) a man-made island created during the Shannon navigation works of the 1840s, would be a suitable place for the club-house.

Lough Ree Yacht Club negotiated with the Shannon Commissioners and eventually agreed to pay an annual rent of £1 and to compensate the sitting tenant (a Mr Hewitt) for disturbance. No permanent club-house was ever built but according to Capt. Woulfe Smythe "a Flag Boat at Ballyglass served as Club House until the present Club House was built".

Move to Ballyglass

Obviously Ballyglass which is on the lake itself was much more suitable than Charlie's Island as a base for a yacht club. Having used Ballyglass Bay as a centre for their regatta for many years it was an obvious choice for a more permanent home. A brief report in The Westmeath Independent of 25th April, 1914 records the club's move to Ballyglass:

In the coming season the Lough Ree Yacht Club will have the advantage of a much-needed Club House, which has been erected on the shores of Ballyglass Bay. Ballyglass has been the venue of many enjoyable gatherings in the past, but the Club were limited to the accommodation which a couple of temporary tents afforded them.