Reg. No.	Float No. 1
	Built:	1890
	Construction:	Riveted Iron
	Length (Original):	70'
	Length (Current):	60'
	Beam:	10' 6"
	Type:	Horse Drawn
	Home Base:	Shannon Harbour

Float No. 1 is one of a series of Coras lompair Eireann (CIE) maintenance craft that were utilised along various designated stretches of the Royal Canal. There were five 'Float' boats in total on the Royal Canal. Unlike the Grand Canal, where the engineering or maintenance craft were usually renumbered to 'E' (Engineering) barges, on the Royal Canal, the assigned numbers of maintenance came about by use as each 'Float' came onto the system. All the Floats were of different design and not part of any uniform fleet of maintenance craft as they originated from de-commissioned cargo boats that were re-directed to engineering use. Once a barge became a 'Float', both horses and engines were superfluous to its re-assigned use. At the slow pace of ongoing maintenance and patching, the men attached to each barge would pull the vessel along the short distance to the next stopping point.

The "Float" series of barges were de-commissioned when the Royal Canal closed for navigation in 1961 but most fell into disuse up to a decade or so prior, as the traffic on the system and therefore maintenance works on the Royal declined. Float No. 1 was sold by CIE, with the relevant paperwork, identifying her as No 1 of the series and a barge of approx 1890 vintage, to a Mr. Boylan in the late 1960's. At that stage she was lying near Binns Bridge, below Drumcondra, on the Dublin end of the Royal Canal. Canal signage visible in the background of an 8mm cine film recording, showing the lift-out, shows what was known as Liffey Junction as being the exact location of the lift. She was originally 70' long but had 10' was cut from her centre portion after she was lifted, to make her compatible in length with the Grand Canal locks. The operation was carried out on a trombone trailer which re-attached the two halves before they were successfully re-welded together. She was subsequently stored near Celbridge / Hazelhatch until a few years ago.

Float No.1 is built of iron sheeting, with 2.5" angle ribs, hot riveted, at 2' centres. Her lines include a pointed nose and stern, with a rounded keelson, original design features of a horse drawn barge. She differs from other barges with provenance to the Irish inland waterways system, in that she has a 10' 6" beam, as opposed to the normal 13' on other barges. With an original length of 70; she could not have navigated either the Ulster Canal or the Grand Canal, due to her being longer than the minimum lock sizes on those navigations. She does have a simi¬lar line to the another ex-Royal Canal barge now known as 'The Rambler; although the Rambler is much broader in the beam.

Float No.1 is one of only three Royal Canal barges that are currently in floating condition
- the others being "The Rambler" and the Killucan Project Barge.

Float No. 1 was purchased in 2004 by John Dolan and Catriona Hilliard, who are based in Tullamore. They have undertaken a major refurbishment program which includes, hull repairs and conversion into an engined family barge for ongoing waterways appreciation and use. She will hopefully spend many a happy year on her spiritual home when the Royal Canal navigation is opened fully to the Shannon once again in the near future. She spent some time in dry dock during 2005 and 2006 in SH being replated, then came to Tullmore in 2008 and in 2010 is being fitted out with M&E services, and engine/gearbox system, batons for insulation provision, measuring for use for conscious (living area) and uncouncious (sleeping areas) and so on. We are getting there....