The long awaited Royal trip by our association has commenced. The schedule had the fleet gather in Richmond Harbour on St. Patrick's weekend, get to Mullingar over Easter and reach the outskirts of Dublin in mid April. This is allowing six weekends to cross the system which is ample, and Spring is the best time to travel.

There are in excess of ten old work-boats in the group and this promises to be a stunning sight in the lovely Royal Canal harbours. Quite a deal of local involvement along the route is being organised and those taking part will have a trip to remember.

Dublin IWAI rally will be our hosts in May with Dublin Docklands Festival scheduled for the same time. The Grand Canal leg will have Daingean Heritage Day, an event in the Tullamore area and a finish with the 42nd Shannon Harbour Canal Boat Rally. No doubt over time this schedule will get busier, so watch this space.

The Royal Canal trip details:-

*Gather in Richmond Harbour for Sat 16^th March,

Overnight Mosstown on Sunday 17^th March, ( 10 miles …4 locks)

Travel to Ballymahon on Monday 18^th March. (7 miles …1 lock)…………..WEEK 1

*Travel to Abbeyshrule and overnight Saturday 23^rd March, ( 6 miles… 1 lock)

Travel to Ballynacargy on Sunday 24^th March ( 6 miles….3 locks) …………WEEK 2

*Travel to Coolnahay and overnight Friday 29^th March, ( 6 miles…..10 locks)

Travel to Mullingar Saturday 30^th March (7 miles)

Stay in Mullingar Sunday 31^st March,

Travel to Mary Lynches Monday 1^st April. ( 8 miles) ……………………….WEEK 3

*Travel to Thomastown and overnight Saturday 6^th April ( 4 miles…10 locks)

Travel to Moyvalley Sunday 7^th April. ( 12 miles) …………………………..WEEK 4

*Travel to Kilcock and overnight Saturday 13^th April (12 miles …2 locks)

Travel to Maynooth, Sunday 14^th April. (4 miles…2 locks)…………………WEEK 5

*Travel to Castleknock and overnight Saturday 20^th April (10 miles …1 lock)

Travel to Ashtown / Shandon Gardens, Sunday 21^st April …………………..WEEK 6

Bridge lift dates/times are being discussed at the present time, and will be notified as soon as available.

These details are as yet not settled but it looks like the weekend 27/28th April will be free and movement into Dublin will be between 29th April and the May Bank Holiday weekend. Dublin IWAI will be from 11th to 25th May, during which several events are in planning which involve the Association. Movement out of Dublin will commence on 25/26th May and the following June Bank Holiday weekend will see progress out the system.

Our next date is Daingean Heritage day on Sunday 9thJune, an event we supported in 2012. The final item on the trip is the Annual Shannon Harbour Canal Boat Rally on 22/23rd June which we have always supported.

As further arrangements are made, this page will be updated.

Could skippers intending on doing this trip please confirm with Joe at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 087- 050 7881.