![\"dg\"](\"https:\/\/branch.iwai.ie\/athlone\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/dg-600x399.jpg\")
<\/a>The Athlone RNLI River Festival follows soon after, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, 1st and 2nd of July, and the branch is CALLING ALL BOATS for duty on the Saturday<\/h2>\nThe Athlone branch as part of the river festival committee is opening the event in style with a sail-past, led by the Viking ship which will have live Jazz on board. Arrival time at the west quay wall at Sean’s Bar is 5pm, where we can enjoy Guinness and Oysters as the band plays on.<\/h3>\nWe are asking for as many member boats to take part.\u00a0 The flotilla will be assembling at Hodson Bay from 1.30pm<\/span><\/span> on Saturday, and <\/span><\/span>ready for a leisurely line-astern cruise to town departing at 3.30<\/span><\/span>. Boats will be mooring along the quay wall outside Sean’s.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWe are asking you to put this event firmly in your diary as it’s success completely relies on strong attendance, not to mention it’s gonna be great fun! On Sunday morning, boats can move over to the town marina to enjoy the rest of the day’s many activities.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nPLEASE PLEASE\u00a0 text Ian Craig 083 4809797, or Paul king 087 2227408 as soon as possible to confirm attendance.<\/div>\nClick here<\/a> to visit the official festival Facebook page<\/p>\n![\"sh\"](\"https:\/\/branch.iwai.ie\/athlone\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/sh.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe branch are also entering the branch raft Il Torpedo, with a few modifications from last year. The raft requires a crew \u00a0of four. If any member wish to be part of the crew please contact Ian Craig Ianmcraig@gmail.com<\/a> or 083 4809797<\/div>\n\nHere are the Details of river festival however the rowing race have been dropped and replaced with a demonstration by the army \u00a0– should be good fun!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThis July the River Shannon in the heart of Athlone will come alive with the 2017 Athlone River Festival.The River Shannon has been the base for festivals in Athlone throughout the town’s history, from the original Athlone People\u2019s Regatta in the 1920s to the more recent Athlone River Festival in the 1990s, and started up again in recent years.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThis year, by kind permission of Waterways Ireland, and supported by Westmeath County Council, Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat will be organising the River Festival. \u00a0Speaking recently, Damien Delaney, volunteer member of Lough Ree RNLI said \u2018Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat has received huge support from the communities around Lough Ree and we would like to give back to the community with a fun-filled water-based weekend for all to enjoy\u2019.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe event begins on the evening of Saturday 1 July<\/span><\/span> with the IWAI Motor Cruiser flotilla sail-past and arrival into the town, followed by Guinness, Oysters and Jazz reception on the quay at Sean\u2019s Bar.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOn Sunday 2 July<\/span><\/span> the action kicks off at 10am<\/span><\/span> with the Junior Fishing Competition organised by Athlone Anglers, followed by a variety of activities over the course of the day.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOther key events include the Vintners Barrel Race and RNLI Soap Box Derby and the highlight of the weekend, the RNLI Raft Races, featuring both a general race and a fancy-dress race.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThere will also be demonstrations from Lough Ree Yacht Club and Athlone Sub Aqua Club, and rowing races organised by Athlone Boat Club, as well as a fly-boarding performance. A full programme of events can be found on the Athlone RNLI River Festival Facebook page https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/
Click here<\/a> to visit the official festival Facebook page<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n