Hello to all our members*
I would like to introduce myself to the membership. My name is Jean
Kennedy and I was elected Chairperson of the Branch at our AGM in November.
It is both an honour and a privilege to serve such a great branch. You
will see myself and my husband Frank up and down the river during the
summer on The Norseman. Feel free to call over to say hello.
We have an array of events for the summer. We have already had two
outings, one to the Maritime museum in Dun Laoghaire and the other to Ram’s
Island, Lough Neagh, which is being renovated by one of our branches River
Bann Lough Neagh Association. What a hard working bunch of guys.
*This Saturday 28th April, at 11am the AGM of the Association is taking
place in our parish in the Leitrim Marina Hotel. It would be great if we
had a good showing. *So why not come and along and see what your
Association is up to. If you want to bring your boat up, there should be no
problem, you just need to notify the secretary.
On the June bank holiday weekend, Ciaran and Nuala Morgan from Corry Lass
will be hosting our Cruise in Company. I know from speaking to some of
our members that Cruise in Company is not always their cup of tea. But I
think if you gave it a try, you would find that you would enjoy it. If
you happen to be in the area, why not come over and say hello. There is
boating, music and meeting up with old friends and new.
Later in the year, we have the 58th Shannon Boat Rally. What a really
good holiday for the kids and the parents. It is the best craic you will
have for very little cost. Further information can be found at
shannonrally.iwai.ie
The main event of the season is Carrick Cares Day which takes place on the
25th August 2018. This is when a very hard working bunch of people head for
Lough Key and give both their time and their boats to enable some very
special guests experience the waterways. If you want to help out or take
part, please contact Carrick@iwai.ie and Trish will point you in the right
direction. Please have a look at our website or Facebook for information
on this very worthwhile day.
We finish the season with our October Cruise in Company at the end of the
season. This is usually a very good reason to dress up in something silly
and frighten the children.
This is just a flavour of what the branch gets up to.The Association is
about looking after our waterways. There are hard-working people every
weekend out working opening up waterways that have been abandoned over the
years. An example of this, is the work is carried out by the Boyne
Navigation who are, lock by lock, opening up the Boyne River to navigation.
Another very worthwhile project is the Newry Canal, who have won numerous
awards for their work on the canal.
I do hope, if you have not done so, that you will renew your 2018
membership and help us support and finance these very worthwhile projects.
Yours Sincerely,
*Jean Kennedy*
*Chairperson, Carrick on Shannon Branch.*