The voyage of 68M eastwards along the Grand Canal can be followed on Facebook and the filming of the documentary is well worth having a look at.  A Grand Experience.

Cormac Kenny brings us an update about the Jamestown Heritage Festival. This will be one of the highlights of the HBA calendar in 2012. Read more here.

HBA member Giles Byford will give a talk to Offaly IWAI members and friends on Tuesday 13th March at 8pm. Venue: Upstairs, Hugh Lynches Pub, Kilbride Street, Tullamore. Talk Title: "From Manchester to Tullamore across the Irish Sea - by Barge". All welcome.

Katrina Mc Girr from WI has invited HBA members to a "Discover Day" to be held in Killaloe/Ballina on Sunday April 29th next. A number of events are planned and more information will be posted as we receive it. Katrina can be contacted at 087-9918412.

Portumna Co. Galway is organising a "Splash Experience" on Sunday May 13th to introduce visitors to the amenities of Lough Derg and its environs. The HBA will hopefully support this event and are currently in discussion with Portumna chamber of commerce regarding a presence in Castle Harbour on the day.

Banagher Co. Offaly played host in June 2011 to the week long celebration of the founding of the HBA and the hospitality received was tremendous. The town's annual parade on water is again on the horizon and deserves our support. If you are on the water or just passing through, please drop in, details at - Banagher, St. Patricks Day Parade

Waterways Ireland advise that work on the Grand Canal at Lullymore Co. Kildare is taking longer than expected, details are at Grand Canal closure.

Again we have what hopefully will be another successful collaboration between Offaly Co. Co., local artists and the HBA. We wish the venture every success and details may be viewed at Grand ( Canal) Experience

To those wishing to cross Dublin on the canal system, details of scheduled lifts of Newcommon Railway bridge will dictate their timetable. The bridge will only be lifted if a demand exists so people are urged to consider a Royal cruise - short or long; and maybe even the adventure of a Green and Silver voyage using both Grand and Royal Canals. Check the bridge details and useful contact information here.