May Bank Holiday CIC… The first cruise in company of the year took place on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The commodores for the weekend were Mary and Aidan Clear but unfortunately they had to pull out due to injury. Thankyou to Niamh & Oona Herraghty and Birgitte Benson who stepped into their shoes as Commodores at the last minute. The fleet assembled at Coosan Point on the Friday night and the crews gathered in the Lough Ree Inn for refreshments and a long awaited catch up after the Winter.

On Saturday, we attended the RNLI / South Westmeath Hospice Fundraiser which in memory of Paul Browne and Anthony Keane. It was a huge event organized by the Lough Ree Inn and we were delighted to be able to hold our first CIC of the year alongside this worthwhile event.

Ticketswere €10 each with all funds raised going to charity. The Lough Ree Inn itself and several outdoor marquee swas packed to capacity. A delicious Hog Rosst BBQ was served to all ticket holders. A massive array of musicians and performers played in allocated slots all night and there was a huge Auction and Raffle later in the night. By the end of the night over €21,000 was raised for the two charities

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the wind picked up and by daybreak the decision was made for safety reasons that the boats should leave Coosan Point. This meant that the cheese and wine and the sports had to be cancelled but the fleet regrouped at the Lakeside Marina where a music night was held. On Monday we woke up to beautiful sunshine but alas itwas too late for all the people that had to
travel back home.