Ballybrannigan (Ballymahon) Cruise In Company August, 2024

Just back from a wonderful three day trip on the Royal. Nine boats, including one heritage barge, travelled from Clondra to Ballybrannigan Harbour just outside Ballymahon and back.

Day one saw the flotilla winding it’s way to Mosstown Harbour, we stopped off on the way at Longford Junction for some very important businesses. After a couple of years of campaigning, Waterways Ireland had agreed to install a thirty metre visitor jetty at Longford Junction. It was appropriate that one of the remaining Royal Canal barges, Float #1, was the first boat to moor at the jetty. This jetty provides a landing stage for boats taking a two day trip up the canal from the Shannon. A perfect option when weather conditions make Shannon cruising difficult. The Longford Line Greenway then provides a great cycling or walking link to explore Longford town.

In Kenagh village Mack’s Shack restaurant provided us with an excellent dinner for the group in their wonderfully quirky barn. Newman’s Pub then hosted us in their cosy bar before we headed back to the harbour. The townsfolk of Keenagh had heard we were bringing boats to their harbour and very kindly provided us with a brazier and lots of turf so we could sit out around the fire for the evening, thanks Harry!

Saturday morning, after coffee at the harbour, we headed off to the lovely wide harbour at Ballybrannigan. The weather wasn’t great unfortunately but we made the most of it and walked into Ballymahon to explore the town and pick up supplies for the evening. Skelly’s Bar served up excellent coffees and lunch while SuperValu had everything we needed for the evening’s barbeque. Everybody chipped in and helped BBQ meats as Judith pulled together a great meal for all. The highlight of the evening could have been the buzzard we watched hunting field mice as the neighbouring field was raked and baled. The arrival of singer Paul Lynch, aka FLYNCH, topped everything as he entertained us all evening with his renditions of great songs from the 60s to the noughties. Excellent gig, thanks Paul! 👏

Sunday morning arrived too soon and that meant turning around and heading back to Clondra. On cue we met the brilliant crews of Waterways Ireland lockkeepers who locked us through our entire journey with a smile. Thanks guys, sorry if we overfed you! Sunday was a much warmer day and the trip back to Clondra was spectacular. A great weekend reluctantly ended…. hope to do it again soon! 👍

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