60th Shannon Boat Rally visits midlands
The Shannon Boat Rally organised jointly by the Athlone Branch and Carrick-on-Shannon Branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland will take place from Friday, July 23 to Sunday, July 31.
It's the most prestigious and well-attended boating event on Ireland’s inland waterways. “The families boating on the river love coming to the South Shannon and especially Athlone as part of the Shannon Boat Rally, said Commodore Ian Craig, “After a two year absence we welcome our boating friends both old and new from all over Ireland to Lough Ree and the river Shannon for ten days to enjoy what the river and lakes has to offer.
All of the boats from the North Shannon, gathered in Lanesboro before traveling to Portrun, Roscommon for the start of the 60th Shannon Boat Rally.
The inland waterways are not only a local asset for Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon but are an important tourism attraction for the region. This year with the theme of the diamond celebration they will visit the smaller locations of Lanesboro, Portrun, and Coosan, Hodson Bay as well as the larger town of Athlone enjoying the rain and sunshine with visits to Clarkes, Coffeys, Hodson Bay Hotel and the Radisson.
Mr Craig added: “We will sail and cruise and dance our way, along the banks of the Shannon bringing with us over four hundred visitors in eighty four boats to sample the sights and hospitality of the area.”
“The main objective of the Shannon Boat Rally”, outlined the Commodore, “is to bring boaters of all types together to participate in a ten-day long fun event for families and friends on the river. “
“The first rally was launched at a civic reception in the Royal Hoey Hotel Athlone in 1961 with over 71 boats participating. Throughout its 60 year history over three thousand boats and over twelve thousand people have participated in the boat rally on the Shannon. This year the rally attracted 84 boats and barges and four hundred people”, concluded Mr Craig.
The 60th Shannon Boat Rally is an annual event that attracts private boat owners and their families to the Shannon for their annual holidays, contributing to the local economy for the last 60 years. The rally promotes a compelling and exciting choice for domestic holiday makers that like the outdoors and are interested in a unique adventure. The boat rally is Ireland's ultimate staycation ensuring greater revenue and extra employment throughout the county
The rally has grown in popularity every year attracting all classes of boats crewed by three to four hundred adults, teenagers and children who participate in sports, games, sailing and boating competitions, quizzes, talent and music events while improving their boating skills and safety practices on the waterways. The rally brings boaters of all abilities and experiences together to share in a common purpose to enjoy the waterways, to share boating know-how and improve their boating skills. The boat rally also encourages responsible use of the waterways for the benefit of all waterway users and has a strong educational, environmental and boating safety theme.