For members our traditional "end of Season/start of Season" event is in Tullamore this year on Friday December 28th, details (members only) at.

A dvd has been produced of the recent "A Very Grand Canal" film, details of availability are at [www.mixedbagmedia.com].

The December issue of "Waterways World" has (page 90) a lovely article by Alison Alderton (Lily) of their trip along the Grand Canal.

Waterways Ireland are progressing well with the dredging in Dublin. The stretch from Portobello running west to lock one at Suir Road has long been a problem for boats entering or leaving Dublin. Your roving reporter took some photos which show the canal in a rather different light.

Spring 2013 will see our association have a major event on the Royal Canal and plans are already in place for much of the areas to be visited. It will be a trip for canal enthusiasts to enjoy and hopefully a sight to behold as we make our way along the system. If you are an undecided participant then maybe the outline plan will help you decide. Details to date can be studied here (members only)

The River Rats story goes on and on and sales are standing at roughly €8000 at the moment. All in all we are in a great situation and that is the result of significant work by some people. So as it is now early December and there is an expectation of increased sales for the Christmas market, if you want some copies, do it sooner rather than later

The latest edition of Towpath Talk has a nice article of interest with 4B featured, the article is on page 97 and the edition can be viewed here.

The latest in the series of Labour History on Irish waterways can be found under Snippets 8.

Just recently WI launched their "Primary School Teachers Resource Pack" at a function in the Visitors Centre, Grand Canal Dock in the presence of no less than two government ministers. WI should be congratulated for this fine publication and their entry into the education sector is very constructive.

This is normally a quiet time of year with members recovering from the AGM and the annual away trip ( to Liverpool this year - some photos here (members only)), so as the festive season comes upon us may we wish all, a happy Christmas and a prosperous, safe and healthy New Year.