Further details regarding the "rolling rally" from Coolnahay to Richmond Harbour on the Royal Canal have been issued. The Abbeyshrule Canal Group have very kindly invited the HBA to join this event.

The Offaly Fleadh is being held in Banagher this year from May 11th until May 14th. Sessions are planned for the harbour area and the organisers would like to use barges as platforms. Anyone in the area at that time is urged to participate.

RTE one is screening the made- for- TV movie, "Saving the Titanic" at 9.30pm on April 9th (Easter Monday). This venture has a big Irish involvement that includes "Tile Films", the people behind the recent "Waterways" series. Definitely worth a look at.

The newly renovated Carlow County Museum will be officially re-opened next Wednesday 11th April and as they have always been supporters of the HBA we congratulate them in this venture. Contact details and times are here.

The latest instalment of Labour History on Irish Waterways deals with the vexed issue of protective workwear in the 1950's. Read about it in our Memories section under the heading "Snippets 6".

Don't forget the "Discover Day" to be held in Killaloe/Ballina on Sunday April 29th next. This is an attempt to highlight the amenities and heritage of the area and should be a good event. Details from Katrina McGirr of Waterways Ireland 087- 991 8412.

Daingean in Offaly is launching a Heritage Trail and are hosting a visit of HBA boats on the weekend of 9/10th June, more details as we receive them.

Jamestown 2012 is the main event for the HBA this year and Cormac Kenny has initial details, The village and festival website is up and running and will be constantly updated.

There are currently some boats in the process of doing the triangle of Royal/Grand/Shannon. The Newcommon railway bridge lift details and useful contacts are here.

Would you like to learn how to paint a canal, a barge or the beautiful landscapes HBA tend to travel through? A new book from Irish artist Norman Teeling might assist...

The Friends of the Grand Canal had their monthly clean-up and some HBA members were there to suppport them - Photos here