The Heritage Boat Association will celebrate 200 years of the Royal Canal during Heritage Week this August.

During Heritage Week, 19th to 27th August 2017, a fleet of heritage boats will travel the western section of the canal between  Keenagh Co. Longford and Richmond Harbour, where the canal meets the River Shannon. In a collaboration with Waterways Ireland and Longford County Council, as well as local communities in Keenagh, Killashee and Clondra, there will be a celebration of the rich shared heritage of the boats, the communities and the canal.

Activities will include lecture programmes, displays, family activities as well as the opportunity to 'Walk with the Big Boats' along this beautiful stretch of the Royal canal.

Heritage Week concludes with a designated 'Water Day' on Sunday the 27th August. On this day the heritage boats will travel from Killashee to Richmond Harbour to deliver a token cargo in a re-enactment of the delivery of the first commercial cargo from Dublin 200 years ago.