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50th Shannon Boat Rally to arrive in Athlone

Wednesday, 14 July 2010

Amanda Brunker, writer, colmunist, model and Shannon Rallier, pictured at the launch. SVSD2804

AMANDA Brunker, well known columnist, author and model, recently launched the 50th Shannon boat rally and a commemorative book "Stories of a River", published by the Shannon Boat Rally Committee in The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon this week.
 Amanda and her family participated in many rallies and have very happy boating memories of growing up on the Shannon. 
"I vividly remember my very first kiss and my first dance that happened on a Shannon rally. We loved boating as a family and had great fun on the river. It was an exciting time for all the families, especially the kids and the teenagers, spending a very active ten days outdoors on the river in Irish weather.
“I have memories of happy days of camping out, fishing, swimming and meeting and making many lifelong friends on the Shannon Rally."
 "Being on my fourth book, I know what it is like to be in control, to have to deal with one author, to ensure deadlines are met and the creative muse is busy inspiring.
It is a credit to the Shannon Rally book committee to have co-ordinated all thirteen contributors to the "Stories of a River" and I congratulate each and every one of you, both the contributors and those co-ordinating the publication for producing this very fine book that will bring laughter and tears to us all over the summer months during our boating holidays"
 Speaking at the launch the Commodore of the 50th Shannon Rally Donal O'Siochain said "This year in celebrating our 50 years we have an unprecedented numbers of boats entering the rally. The response to our celebrations has been phenomenal with many of our friends from the earlier rallying years rejoining us this year. 
 "We are very thankful to Waterways Ireland, as the main sponsor of this years event", continued Mr O'Siochain , "for both their financial support towards the publishing of the commemorative book and for their and navigational support to the Shannon Rally.  
“In liaising with the rally committee Waterways Ireland are very active in facilitating our large flotilla of over 150 boats that will travel from Carrick to Athlone and around Lough Ree over the ten days of the rally from Friday 25th July to the Sunday 1st of August. 
 Mr O'Siochain highlighted "Leitrim, Roscommon, Westmeath County Councils and Athlone Town Council have been very supportive in ensuring a range of facilities are available to the boaters. 
“Facilities such as waste disposal, mooring, hot showers and access to power are readily available as we arrive in each venue. With over four hundred people attending the rally and arriving in a new venue every two days it is fantastic to get such positive support and a welcome from each local authority."
 The Rally depends on lots of individual sponsors and advertisers and in turn we ask all our rallying families to support those businesses that have supported us. We sincerely thank our sponsors, particularly Emerald Star, Lakeside Marina and all our advertisers year on year that help make the rally happen.
 Speaking at the launch, John Martin, Chief Executive, Waterways Ireland, the main sponsor of the 50th Shannon Rally stated: "The Rallies are a tremendous way of introducing people to boating and bringing local communities to the waterways. I am appreciative of all that the Inland Waterways Association has done in the past 50 years to promote the waterways and the impact that has had on the number of waterway users. I am particularly delighted that the Rally has grown year on year and is now one of the main events for boat users on the navigations. In this it's 50th year. The Shannon Boat Rally is a credit to all involved and I hope it continues to grow strongly into future."
Highlighting the economic contribution the river Shannon makes to Co Leitrim a representative of the local authority said, "We in Leitrim are very cognisant of the vital role boating tourism makes to our local economy and we are delighted to host this evens launch as a mark of our appreciation to the Shannon Rally for hosting their event in Leitrim for the past 25 years. The other 25 years have been spent in the Southern end of the Shannon in and around Athlone. Boating brings businesses to Carrick, and the waterfront is a major asset to the inland town.  We have invested significantly to enhancing the water experience for both locals and visitors and we hope the Shannon Rally will come to Carrick for the next 25 years"
Amanda Brunker is a former Miss Ireland and currently a columnist. She continues to model, has acted in the film Head Rush and had a cameo role on the former Irish soap Glenroe. She also presented her own late night TV show, The Dinner Party.
She published her first novel, "Champagne Kisses", in 2008, which was followed in June 2009 by its sequel "Champagne Babes."  Her third and final of the Champagne trilogy, "Champagne Secrets" is currently being published and will be launched soon.

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