Re-opening of the Royal Canal

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The canal at Abbeyshrule A summer of waterway festivities is being planned ahead of the official reopening of the Royal Canal. Formally closed as a link between Dublin and the Shannon in 1961 the last boat to travel the route was actually in 1955, when large parts of the route were already virtually derelict.

Now, after a 36-year campaign for its restoration initiated by local users, the Royal Canal Amenity Group, the Heritage Boat Association, local authorities and Waterways Ireland among others, the canal will be reopened on September 30th.

The official reopening by Waterways Ireland is to take place in Richmond Harbour, Co Longford, at the point where the Royal Canal meets the Shannon.

At 145.6km long the canal has a catchment population of 1.2 million people, making it one of the largest public amenities on the island.

It stretches from the Liffey through north Dublin city, passing Croke Park and Mountjoy Jail, before crossing a viaduct over the M50 at Blanchardstown and crossing counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Longford, to Clondra about 10km west of Longford town. Longford Town Council is also planning to reopen a branch line to the town.

Calendar of Events.

June  
21st 12th Lock Summer Solstice Canal Walk Demonstrations, Canal History, Exhibition and Reception RCAG/ Fingal Co. Co., 12th Lock, Castleknock
26-27th   All night fishing competition, Enfield
27th   RCAG Abbeyshrule local boat rally, Abbeyshrule

July

4th    RCAG Ballymahon Local Boat Rally, Ballymahon
17th    RCAG Confey Heritage Day & RR Reception, Leixlip
18th    RCAG Dublin Branch Rolling Rally, 12th Lock, Lucan
23rd    RCAG Rolling Rally Reception, Maynooth/Kilcock
24th    RCAG Rolling Rally Reception & Canal Activities, Enfield

August

1st    RCAG Flotilla Reception and Festival, Hill of Down
7th    RCAG Flotilla Reception & Launch of Barge no 3,Killucan/Thomastown
12th    Launch of Special Edition Royal Canal News
20th    RCAG Flotilla Reception & Canalside Celebrations, The Great Western Rally Begins, Mullingar Harbour
20th    RCAG Coolnahay GWR BBQ & Irish Music Night, Coolnahay
21st     RCAG Night on the Town, Ballynacargy
22nd    RCAG Canalside Celebrations, Ballymahon
28th    RCAG Opening Celebrations, Keenagh/Killashee
29th    RCAG Grand Festival & Boat Rally Dinner Dance, Abbeyshrule

September

12th    Phizzfest, Phibsborough, Dublin
19-24th   Irish National Balloon Festival, Ballymahon
24th    Westmeath Co Co Culture Night, Mullingar
24 -1st   Canal History Exhibition, Atrium, County Buildings, Mullingar
26th    Westmeath Co Co (Possible) Royal Canal Walk
26th    WCC & Partners, Celebrating the Royal Canal Day, Harbour Bridge, Mullingar
29th    RCAG, Commemorative Grand Cruise, Keenagh/Killashee
30th    RCAG, Mid Morning Flotilla Assembly Lock 45

October

1-3rd   RCAG, Celebratory Weekend of Activity, Clondra