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On Friday afternoon May 14 2010, a small fleet of Heritage Boats, led by The Rambler entered Spencer Dock, the entry point to the Royal Canal from the River Liffey. This symbolic event announced the formal opening of the Royal Canal Navigation later this summer.
The lead boat The Rambler was built in 1875 by the Midland & Great Western Railway Company, worked commercially on the Royal Canal carrying passengers and towing cargo vessels for many decades. It is fitting therefore that she was the first boat back into Spencer Dock after its refurbishment with many people from the RCAG on board. She was accompanied by Canal Boat 4E, originally a horse drawn boat which also worked on the Royal Canal. Three other boats 68M, 72M and Nieuwe Zorgen, representing the Grand Canal, Shannon and International Heritage fleets accompanied them.
The RCAG, IWAI and HBA enthusiastically welcome the reopening of the Royal Canal and acknowledge the great efforts of many individuals, Community groups, Councils and Associations that have contributed to this great cause. Waterways Ireland, and in particular their engineers on the ground who have overcome many seemingly impossible difficulties, are to be commended for their perseverance and dedication to this project.
We have been asked to and wish to thank all those involved in the trip to Spencer Dock; special thanks to the skippers and crews of 4E, 68M, 72M, Nieuwe Zorgen and The Rambler for taking their boats into the dock and the hospitality they extended to all their guests on the day.
Photos by Paul Martin and Conor Nolan
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