February Social

In February Kildare Branch had a night out in the 13th Lock Restaurant, Sallins. 30 Members showed up and enjoyed the excellent food and were entertained by musicians Kieron and Michelle who played a great mixture from trad to reggae. The venue was well positioned for some who had only a stone’s throw to make it home to their bunks!
Thanks to Niall O’Dowda for organising the evening.     © M Davis

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                         Boats outside Lock 13 © S Clifton

Easter Rally

Boats arrived at Allenwood on Friday having travelled from their winter moorings in Vicarstown, Hazelhatch, Sallins, Lowtown, etc. The first rally of the year it was great to be on the move and in the company of friends. We had a couple of days in Allenwood, on Saturday afternoon we had talks from Mary Hoare and Michael Jacob about the canal and history of the local area.

Sunday morning we woke to find the Easter Bunny had left an egg outside each boat! Later on the boats left for Robertstown via Lowtown, thanks to James for seeing us all through lock 19. We moored up in Robertstown, some having to raft up as there were 15 boats by then. The local priest blessed the boats, thanks to Alessandra. In the evening there was entertainment in the backroom in Welds Pub and we each brought a dish so there was plenty to eat.

Though the weather was still quite wintery, it was a great start to the boating season.      © Marie Davis

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Shannon Harbour Rally

W Celebrating with Marie and Sally at Shannon Harbour Jun 2016 c J Moloney

Celebrating with Marie and Sally Jun 2016 © J Moloney

Summer CIC  23rd July – 1st Aug

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Bog of Allen Autumn CIC

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Naas Canal Festival  28th – 31st Oct

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Naas Canal Festival 2016 – The Musicians

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Naas Canal Festival 1987

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AGM 2016

Our AGM was held in the Townhouse Hotel in Naas on Thursday 17th November.  Despite the weather (snow) there was a good turn out and a very good humoured meeting ensued. Jim Connolly after years of service stepped down as Chairperson as did Adele Kelly as Treasurer, thanks to both for doing a great job in their respective roles.  Irene O’Neill was elected Chairperson with Jerry Gleeson as Vice Chairperson and Beth O’Loughlin was elected Treasurer, Alan Kelly stays on as Secretary.  We continue to have a large and active committee who are very generous in giving a hand with all aspects of running the Branch.      © Marie Davis
 
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Christmas Walk 2016

For our annual Christmas Walk we once again accepted an invite from the Royal Canal Amenity Group (RCAG) to join them in Maynooth on December 27th. The very good weather attracted a large crowd of IWAI, RCAG & local punters who assembled in Maynooth Harbour. This year’s walk was the same as last year’s but the route was reversed. So we set off from the harbour into Maynooth Village, down Duke’s Avenue lined with lime trees and into Carton Estate. On reaching Pikes Bridge on the Royal Canal the RCAG catering department provided mulled wine, mince pies and other eatables (as if we could fit any more in!) Well satisfied we set off once again along the canal towpath and back to Maynooth for some soup & sandwiches & liquid refreshment in Mc Mahon’s – I thought the point of this walk was to work off the Christmas excesses!!! In comfortable surroundings stories were exchanged about Christmas celebrations, plans for the season ahead and everything in between. Abig thank you to the RCAG for extending the invite. IWAI Kildare will reciprocate in 2017.       © Alan Kelly.

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