See what has been happening so far in Offaly this year !!

The M Boat – Birr Theatre
Dec Friday 2 – Saturday 3 December 2011
Written & Directed by Eddie Alford

The story of a boat delivering Guinness from Dublin to Shannon Harbour in the 1950s. Earlier this year, The M Boat won the top award for Artistic Excellence at The Brighton Fringe Festival (the 3rd biggest in the world after Edinburgh and Adelaide). Awarding a 5 Star Review, FringeGuru.com said the following: This wonderful show is a panoply of entertainment: it takes in storytelling round a campfire, popular folk songs accompanied by five-stringed banjo (not to mention some of the audience), a comedic troupe of likeable rustic characters and a naïve love story… …It’s highly recommended.
€15/12 8pm - online booking available.
http://www.birrtheatre.com/programme.shtml
Click Dec/Jan tab if you don't already land there.

Waterways Ireland Marine Notices:
Marine Notice #121/11 01 November 2011
Including Grand Canal Closures in Offaly –

Tullamore:
The canal will be closed from 7th November 2011 to 5th March 2012 to
facilitate the construction of three footbridges and a boardwalk by
Tullamore Town Council.

Ballycommon:
The canal will be closed to facilitate dredging - dates to be confirmed.

Local inland waterways updates for Autumn 2011:

Fyi Kildare IWAI Naas Canal Festival – Oct 2011 Bank Holiday Weekend - click here for info.

·        Next Offaly IWAI Branch Meeting – to be arranged.

·        Know your Boat Courses with Athlone Institute of Technology:

·         Mechanics & Winterisation Course – 5 November 2011 9.00am to 1.00pm

·         Electrics Course – 5 November 2011 2.00pm to 6pm

·         Fibreglass Course - 5 March 2012 10.00am to 16.30 pm

For information on the KYB Courses, and to book a place, please see the poster here, or contact John Dolan 087 2252772.

Branch meeting Tuesday 13^th September 2011.

Tullamore Community Arts Centre utilises Canal Boat 107B in fundraising.

Offaly IWAI welcome the Heritage Boat Association to Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre for Heritage Week.

Summer 2011:

Ballycommon BBQ at the Bridge – Sunday 31^st July, 5.30 – 9.00 pm, with special guest Éanna Ní Lamhna. Including Trad Music, Watersports, Novice Fishing and Exhibition on Canal Boat 107B. Click here for details.

Update to Spring/Summer 2011 Inland Waterways News, click here.

Spring 2011:

·        The Offaly Branch AGM for 2010 was delayed until January because of the 'deep freeze'. The AGM discussed the programme of last year, branch finances, pr and business to date. The outgoing committee was re-elected and welcomes Alan Hughes on board as members rep. The 2011 committee are supporting several projects for 2011, more below. To conclude our lecture series of last year, Mr. Gerald Potterton kindly presented a highly interesting lecture on L.T.C. Rolt – The Irish Connection – see previous details below, on lecture initially planned for Dec 2010). Gerald is also author of 'In the Wake of Giants' (2008) and he holds a great interest in L.T.C. Rolt and has accumulated much knowledge of his work and writings. The book can be purchased via the IWAI website.

Offaly IWAI report that the work on Cox's Bridge, at the 27th lock, has now commenced and is ongoing. The structural work will underpin the bridge for the long term future use.

·        The Offaly Branch will also present one of their annual series of 'Know Your Boat' workshops, on the topic of Fibreglass, on March 5th. Now in its seventh year the course continues to receive high levels of praise from participants. People of a range of different skill levels attend and there are a growing number of lady skippers.  The day long event is both a theory and practical based course that will enable participants to be familiar and comfortable in maintaining their craft and dealing with fibreglass maintenance and repairs. The course is presented by experienced instructors supported by experienced boat users.  The course takes place in the Harbour Buildings, Kilbeggan, commencing at 10.30 am and concluding by 16.30. The course costs are €75 IWAI members, €85 non IWAI members, Contact John at 087 2252772 to book a place. Advance booking is required.

One of the Offaly branch aims for 2011 is to link with the varied range of groups that are both users of and interested in the Grand Canal and environs, to produce a user oriented report on the tourism potential of the Canal. Various studies have been undertaken over the years by national agencies. It is anticipated that this specific project would bring the actual user groups together, to discuss, align and highlight their various interests and needs. It is hoped to work with the agencies in the vicinity, that have tourism and business development remits, and that a published document from the project could underpin a new strategy for the promotion and development of the Grand Canal. Members and other interested groups will be contacted in the near future with a view to holding a meeting to kick start the collaboration.

·        One of the groups involved will hopefully be the Ballycommon Canal Regeneration Group, launched in Heritage Week last year. The group are currently looking at ways of commencing some of their ideas regarding the Kilbeggan line of the Canal, and setting up close links with Offaly IWAI, who of course look forward to working with the Ballycommon group and the well established Kilbeggan Harbour Amenity Group to see what might be possible to further highlight the Kilbeggan line of the Grand Canal.

The Offaly branch meetings will be every two months in the first half of 2011. The next meeting is planned for the Tuesday 7th March, and the following meeting for Tuesday 9th May. In the meantime, if members have queries or suggestions, please feel free to contact the branch officers via the webpage or direct by email to offalyiwai@eircom.net.

Winter 2010:

·       POSTPONED UNTIL early January 2011:

December 2010: Offaly IWAI AGM, Offaly Historical Society, Bury Quay, Tullamore, 7.30 pm

·         3^rd December: Some Offaly IWAI members were delighted to attend the launch of a new book, by local historian Michael Byrne, and illustrated by Fergal McCabe. “Tullamore – A Portrait” provides a witty and informative text which architect and watercolourist Fergal McCabe illuminates with 80 sketches and paintings. The book can be sourced from OHAS at http://www.offalyhistory.com

·         2^nd December – 24^th January: Offaly County Council has prepared a Draft Edendery Local Area Plan 2011-2017. The Draft Plan, and associated documents, may be viewed at The plan may be inspected at the various locations & times for a period of 6 weeks from 2^nd December 2010 to 24^th January 2011. See more at http://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Planning/ . Final date for submissions is 24^th Jan 2010.

Autumn 2010:

·         Offaly IWAI hosted its’ third lecture for 2010, in association with the newly formed Ballycommon Canal Regeneration Group, in Ballycommon Organisation for Local Development. Tommy McLoughlin, Vice Chair and Project Manager of the IWAI Boyne Navigation Branch, presented the history, challenges and opportunities of that group on the ongoing refurbishment of the Boyne Navigation. Many thanks to Tommy.

·         Local announcement that Tullamore Arts Centre will go ahead. Proposed site, adjacent to the Canal, is Kilbride Park beside OHAS.

·         Offaly IWAI members assisted Canal Boat 107B visit to Tullamore Town Council for 150^th anniversary celebrations for 25/26 September.

·         Canal Boat 107B commences her journey as a floating museum, with an exhibiton from SlowArchitecture over Sept, travelling through Offaly and beyond. See www.107Bonline.com here

·         Tullamore Chamber of Commerce plan Know Your Tullamore day for 10^th October, Offaly IWAI participated.

·         Know Your Boat Courses, in association with Athlone Institute of Technology took place:

·         Mechanics & Winterisation Course - 30 October 2010

·         Electrics Course - 6 November  2010

AUGUST 2010: Heritage Week - Kilbeggan Challenge on 28/29 August http://www.heritageweek.ie/en/HomeSearchDetails.aspx?EventID=5088 this year as a feature for Heritage Week, in association with the Heritage Boat Association (www.heritageboatassociation.ie) and the Kilbeggan Grand Canal Harbour Amenity Group. The Ballycommon Canal Regeneration Group was launched at that event.

JULY 2010: The Branch welcome the PatMcGrath swim, meeting the participants along the way in both Tullamore and Ballycommon.

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JUNE 2010: The Branch welcomed the barge 51M to Tullamore, with a lot of visitors over the course of the week when the barge was visible in the harbour.

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MAY 2010: The Midlands Regional Authority request submissions on the Midlands Regional Draft Planning Guidelines. Deadline 5^th May 2010. See www.midlands.ie

MAY 2010: Phoenix Fextival www.phoenixfestival.ie  moves to 7^th-10^th May for 2010, to coincide with the 225^th anniversary of the Great Balloon fire of Tullamore, use of the canal as a venue for some activities of the festival has been a feature in previous years, and will continue for the 2010 event.

MAY 2010: Offaly IWAI sponsored a spot prize, in partnership with the barge, of a trip on barge Saoirse ar an Uisce, for a winning group of four people, for each of 3 shows, for the St. Mary’s Youth Centre junior drama group production of the ‘Pirates of Penzance’. A trip is arranged for the group of 12 on Saturday 29^th May.

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APRIL 2010: Tullamore Town Council requested input to the Draft Town Development plan from 2010-2016 by 01 April 2010. See http://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Your_Councils/Tullamore_Town_Council/Planning_Services/

APRIL 2010: Community Arts Funding deadline for submissions to Offaly Co Co is 16^th April, 2010. If you have any ideas for Offaly IWAI funding applications, email the branch now, click through to the criteria and application forms for your perusal at www.offaly.ie/arts

APRIL 2010: Central Fisheries Board announces Forum on Invasive Species, Tullamore Court Hotel. April 28^th, 2010, 6.30-9.00pm. Website for more info is www.caisie.ie

APRIL 2010: Some branch members attended the Kildare IWAI rally at Easter, a fabulous weekend.

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MARCH 2010: Scouting Ireland Conference was held in Tullamore over 19^th – 21^st March, featuring barge Saoirse ar an Uisce as an element of the Chief Scouts travels from the Scout Den to Bury Bridge, as part of the start of the Grand Parade from the town up to the Tullamore Court Hotel, on the evening of 19^th March.

MARCH 2010: Offaly IWAI sponsored a spot prize, in partnership with the barge, of a trip on barge Saoirse ar an Uisce, for a winning group of four people, for each of 3 shows, for the St. Mary’s Youth Centre junior drama group production of the ‘Pirates of Penzance’. A trip is arranged for the group of 12 on Saturday 29^th May.

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FEB 2010: Tullamore Town Council secure funding for a boardwalk, new bridges and a service block for the canal area in Tullamore. Work commencing in 2010.

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BRANCH MEETINGS 2010:

Proposals for 2010:

1.     Host a series of lectures to mark the closure of the Grand Canal, to commercial traffic, from 01 Jan 1960, 50 years ago.

2.     Identify and work at strategic links between Offaly IWAI and other organisations, for the ongoing promotion of the Grand Canal.

3.     Support/welcome boaters and others interested in the waterways, in or visiting the area, who are interested in meeting with Offaly IWAI members.

4.     Collate and highlight information on the work of other agencies in relation to the Grand Canal and associated infrastructure.

1st Meeting of 2010 was 20^th Jan 2010, 8.00 p.m. AGM for 2009. Venue: Offaly Historical and Archeological Society, Bury Quay, Tullamore. The meeting commenced with a presentation by Michael Byrne, of OHAS, on the Grand Canal in Tullamore and the development of towns along the Canal.

2^nd Meeting of 2010 was hosted again at OHAS in early March, and Michael Slevin, founder member of the 2009 Grand Crew project, www.grandcrew.iwai.ie presented an excellent overview of the event. The evening was attended by many members of IWAI, and other interested groups that supported Grand Crew, which was a collaboration between various IWAI groups, the HBA and a wide range of groups interested in heritage, vintage activities and more. Thanks Michael, and to all those that attended the great evening.

A committee only meeting was held in early June, to review / overview branch interests and plan activities for the rest of the year (see above).

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For details on Last Year, click to Past Events to see "2009 Float to the Fleadh" or 2009 Ballycommon Rally & Kilbeggan challenge

More updates as plans for 2010 develop.

Know Your Boat Course

The ‘Know your Boat’ one day course programme for 2009/2010 will conclude with the last of the 3 classes : Fibreglass – 20th Feb.

These events are a joint partnership between the Offaly Branch of Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and Athlone Institute of Technology Adult Education Department.

Each of the three days course covers boat mechanics, electrics and a hands-on fiberglass course respectively.

Now entering the fifth year the courses continue to receive high levels of praise from participants.

People of a range of different skill levels attend and there are a growing number of lady skippers that have found this course useful. So if you are looking for ideas for a present for someone contact the Offaly Branch at 0872252772. Download our 2009 brochure

Dates :

• Boat Mechanics & Winterising  10th Oct 2009        

• Boat Electrics 28th  Nov 2009

• Fibreglass – 20th Feb. 2010

15.03.09 Click here to read the Sunday Tribune ‘Spring in Your Step’ Supplement that featured a half page on IWAI activities in general, as well as specific information relating to some of the the Barrow Branch and Offaly Branch activities/events in 2009.

FLOAT TO THE FLEADH
Tullamore 16 to 23 August 2009

• Photo Gallery - please send us your photos.

The Offaly Branch is delighted to advise that the 2009 Fleadh Cheoil will be held in Tullamore on 16th August to 23 rd August. Following on from the success of the last two years the Offaly Branch is busy planning for the 3rd Float to the Fleadh.

The intention of is promote the Grand Canal and awareness of it during the Fleadh Cheoil and to encourage and promote boating usage of the canal especially first time canal users. Staying on a cruiser in the heart of Tullamore is a much better option than camping in a makeshift campsite!

Last year saw eighty two boats (the biggest inland boating event of 2008) in Tullamore during the festivities from all over the country and there is much excitement and interest from boaters all over Ireland travelling to Tullamore this year.

The Offaly Branch are organising a Cruise in Company from Shannon Harbour to Tullamore to coincide with the Fleadh. It is planned to depart Shannon Harbour on Saturday morning 15th August.

There is no registration fee and a bus transfer for skippers, sponsored by the branch, will run on Sunday 17th back to Shannon Harbour.

The Offaly Branch is working closely with Waterways Ireland who has offered every assistance. They have a focused weed cutting /debris removal programme in place to assist in passage and mooring, locks will be manned for the cruise & additional mooring facilities provided in Tullamore.  

Each participating craft will have an option of buying a bottle of Locke's Grand Crew whiskey (subject to availability and other terms & conditions).

• Photo Gallery - please send us your photos.

• Discussion & Photos

• See Float to the Fleadh on RTE's "Nationwide" aired 17/08/09

• Download and complete the registration form

• Download and display our A4 Poster with information on this event.

• 27/07/09: Download our Press Release on the Launch of the Float to the Fleadh 2009 - see some photos of the occasion here.

• See Tips for boating on the Grand Canal

• More information on the Fleadh Cheoil is at www.fleadh2009.com 

• See also an account of The First Float to the Fleadh 2007

Kilbeggan Challenge/Ballycommon Rally 29-30 August 2009

The Offaly Branch annual Kilbeggan Challenge/Ballycommon rally, in conjunction with the Heritage Boat Association, was held on August 29th and 30th at the Kilbeggan line to add to the post-Fleadh festivities.

The Kilbeggan Challenge was a spirted affair this year. Offaly IWAI joined  forces with Cooley Distillery, IWAI, HBA, 107B Restoration Barge Project and Kilbeggan Harbour Amenity Group to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Canal’s closure to commercial traffic. The Kilbeggan challenge was the movement of specially selected casks of whiskey from the Cooley Distillery and heritage centre in Kilbeggan to the restored Kilbeggan Harbour and then the movement of the cask via the traditional route down the (still dry) Kilbeggan Line to Ballycommon. There the casks were loaded onto the 107B restoration Barge which will travel with the HBA fleet heading East for delivery to Dublin.  The cask(s) will be bottled as Locke's Grand Crew Irish Whiskey, a tribute to the canal boatmen.  Each participating craft will have an option of buying a bottle (subject to availability).

The following prizes were awarded at the BBQ afterwards:

Best Dressed Boat: 4B Eunice And Cliff Jeffers

Perpetual Shield: Jim Murray and Ned.

Mike & Heather Thomas Trophy: Michael Slevin

• Press Release: Kilbeggan Challenge: Irish whiskey travels again by canal for the first time in over half a century. (PDF or Word)

• More information at www.grandcrew.iwai.ie

• Click here or on the photos below for some photos of the day's proceedings.

• Download Flyer

Mail us here for any further details required, to suggest a website link or make other queries.

Go to older material.

Ó Offaly Branch, IWAI 2010.