McAleese opens the 50th Shannon Boat Rally
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
President Mary McAleese receives a presentation from this year’s Commodore Donal O Siochan at the event.
"BOATING people don't care about the weather", commented President McAleese at the official opening of the 50th Shannon Boat Rally
On a typical wet Irish morning, President McAleese officially opened the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland 50th Shannon Boat Rally, on Saturday in Carrick on Shannon.
Over 500 boaters gathered to welcome the President and Dr McAleese. President of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Paul Garland said "The McAleese family is no stranger to the River Shannon. Most of us have had their friendly wave as they pass by and I know that they share that special joy we all have by simply being on the river"
In her address, the President recalled her first boating experience on Lough Ree - "Martin and I were only baby boaters at that time - as we met our first four foot wave, our son Justin - who had little faith in our boating skills - called on us to contact the coastguard!"
Reflecting on the significance of the Shannon to the towns, villages and communities along its route, the President said "from this silver garland - our river Shannon - you see Ireland from a different perspective"
Over 140 boats, barges and sailing cruisers crewed by over 500 people will spend the next two weeks holidaying on the River Shannon bringing much needed business to the many small towns and villages along the banks of the Shannon. The two largest towns on the river - Carrick on Shannon and Athlone along with Waterways Ireland - have invested significantly in the river's navigation, harbours and facilities which makes boating a pleasure for the Shannon Rally.
The Shannon Rally goes from strength to strength said Commodore of the 50th rally, Donal O'Siochain, with more and more people choosing to holiday in Ireland on our rivers - year on year. The Rally is arriving at the Lough Ree Yacht Club today (Tuesday, July 27), and tomorrow where there will be competitions, commando competitions, dinghy sailing, and music competitions and talent events. On Thursday they move on to the Lakeside Marina where there will be water sports, dinghy sailing and an RNLI auction and, on the Friday, land sports, prize giving, dinghy sailing and 60s Rock Around the Dock. On Saturday they will cruise to Athlone where, on Sunday, the award dinner will be at The Sheraton Hotel.
President McAleese concluded by thanking the IWAI volunteers - "the custodians of the river, the champions of the river - who cherish the river - they have taught us to be careful of the river - to keep it for the next generation.
Commodore Donal O'Siochain presented President McAleese a specially commissioned Leitrim crystal plate engraved with the rally emblem and a copy of the newly launched book "Stories of a River" - commemorating 50 years of the Shannon Boat Rally.
Vice Commodore Tom Meegan presented Dr McAleese with a bottle of single malt Irish whiskey - one of only 292 bottles distilled at Kilbeggan's Locke's Distillery especially for the Shannon Rally.
The event was attended by Frank Dolan Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Council, County Manager Leitrim County Council - Jackie Maguire, and Waterways Ireland Chief Executive Waterways Ireland - John Martin.
See also our review of "Stories of a River", a book marking 50 years of the Rally, on pages 20 and 21 of this issue.
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