Sunday Oct 2nd saw the branch compete in the Raft Race from the White Bridge to Athlone Town Bridge. Weather conditions were good with plenty of sunshine and a southerly breeze completing with strong flow in the river.

With about ten craft of all sorts and sizes, the slalom leg proved difficult for the lead rafts as a number of them collided and were swamped, leaving way for the IWAI raft ‘Ill Torpedo’ to come in a close second to the winning raft ‘Nun’s on the Run’ (sponsored by River Run).

See all pictures in the 2016 Gallery

A very special thanks goes to Maeve Kelly (Cranagh) for creating the magnificent ‘full size’ branch burgee (burgee was originally designed by Maeve), which was flown for the first time on the IWAI Raft and it will be subsequently flown by each CIC Commodore in all future CIC’s

Brian Corcoran