Limerick / Shannon Estuary Rally 2012

[oceanfroggie]

The inaugural Limerick / Shannon Estuary rally was much enjoyed by 40 crews over 10 days travelling from Killaloe through Ardnacrusha to Limerick and down the scenic Shannon Estuary to Kilrush Creek marina.

IWAI LSER Fleet in Killaloe - Skippers AV briefing and reception in Lakeside hotel, kindly sponsored by Yachtsman/Euromarine. De Band soon struck up a few chords and the adjacent wedding reception joined in as the IWAI music was better than theirs!

Coreibh in Ardnacrusha lock

Only 45 minutes to descend the 102ft lock at the hydro dam. One of the deepest locks in the world.

Moonshadow arriving in Limerick guided by Pat Lysaght - 2 turbines running on ebb tide

Faoi Dheireadh arrives in Limerick

Kara Deniz arriving under Matthew bridge following Pat Lysaght

Pac Mac arriving in Limerick City - Pat Lysaght was amazing guiding all the boats safely through the Limerick bridges. Pat you are an amazing friend to the inland boating community. Thank you for your skill, invaluable advice and friendship.

Celebration - Sparkling wine on the pontoon for each new arrival

Catherine Halpin and Joe Fitzgibbon of ESB gave guided tour of Ardnacrusha hydro electric powerstation and dam. Ardnacrusha is an awesome piece of infrastructure and one of the best kept tourist attraction secrets in the country. Some thing every Irish person should be proud of, the catalyst that sparked our industrial development, it cost 20% of GDP in 1925, was built in 4 years by 5000 irish men, on time, in budget and generated 100% of the national grid in its early years. Designed and built by Siemens-Schuckert, can you imaging Ireland having 100% electrical energy independance soon after the foundation of the young state. Conviction politicians with vision taking the advise of brilliant young engineers.

The architecture is simplar to the old WW2 war movie "The Heros of Telemark" starrting Kirk Douglas who was tasked with blowing up a German heavy water plant, incorrectly then feared part of the third reichs nuclear programme. You can just imagine Kirk Douglas climbing the roof with commandos at night!

The turbine floor - four units - This plant and the Dam is awesome

The old control room that used to control the entire national grid until 1954

The new control room - "Mum what happens if I click this icon?"

IWAI LSER Fleet viewed from roof of Strand Hotel who kindly allowed our crews to use the leisure centre and showers for free - Thank you!

Arthurs Quay Moorings - We had an open day on Sunday to meet Limerick people on the jetties

What a view - Lovely Limerick - "You'r a lady". This city is a wonderful destination for visiting inland boat crews. The marina is top class with excellent facilities including 220v, water and secure access, and what a view. Fabulous historic attractions, nearby restaurants, theme pubs, fine dinning, pedestrianise shopping zones, shopping centres, cathederals, castles, nearby tours and trips.

View from the Hunt Museum - The Hunt Museum opened their back gates and welcomed our crews to their restaurant and cafe as well as free access to the Museum on Sunday. The Hunt Museum is right beside the marina and is a "must see" for any visitor to Limerick City. It houses a stunning collection of paintings and articfects and has a fabulous restaurant and cafe.

The Shannon Rowing Club on the island beside the sea lock

De Band entertain in the Shannon Rowing Club bar as Tom McGowan kindly gives guided tours of this historic sporting establishment

Limerick City moorings by night

The night before we departed, in the wonderful Hunt Museum Shannon Development kindly hosted a reception for the IWAI LSER crews and local community groups with an interest in the Limerick River Shannon amenity. We were delighted to be welcomed by the CEO of Shannon Development Dr Vincent Cunnane and the newly elected Mayor of Limerick City Cllr Gerry McLoughlin (of Irish Rugby fame winning the triple crown in 1983 and the Lions tour). Each vessel was presented with a scroll marking the inaugural rally's visit to the historic city.

Continued ...

 

[oceanfroggie]

... continued

Cormac Meegan, Noel, Mayor of Limerick City Gerry McLoughlin, CEO of Shannon Development Dr Vincent Cunnane. Thank you for your warm welcome.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/irela...gest-ever-flotilla-of-boats/10150936159508129


Pat Lysaght and Dick Sparling at Sarsfield Lock on our departure for Kilrush

Crew of Ocean Froggie including our own editor of IWN Colin Becker (photo Pat Lysaght)

An inch will do as the tide drops at Sarsfield bridge beside the sea lock. At LW there is about 5.4m airdraft (photo Pat Lysaght)

Sarsfield Lock (photo Pat Lysaght)

Colin will never live this down in heavy metel circles - driving white as daz!

Kilrush Creek marina - IWAI fleet fills the pontoons - 31 single engine boats and 4 twins

Tuesday evening De Band and guest performers entertain us in the club house courtesy of Marina Managher John Hehir. There was music and dancing, singing, ditties and jokes, it was a spontanious night of magic that few will forget. Thank you "De Band" you were fabulous as were the guest performers.

Singing and Dancing and Jollity into the night

Some went for a guided tour of Historic Scattery Island with its 11 churches and monastic settlement. The last family left this island in 1978.

Setanta arrives at the anchorage in Carrigaholt at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean

Calisto clears her lungs after a visit to Beal Bar on route to the anchorage at Carrigaholt

Respendant Beo Arís dressed with bunting about to pick up a visitor mooring buoy

Mr Bintang himself going ashore from the visitor mooring buoys by dinghy

Crews of Moodshadow and Coreibh go ashore to explore the scenic sea side village

14 boats enjoyed the day on the visitor moorings at Carrigaholt in spectacular weather, while others venture to visit Scattery Island, Ballybunion, Loop Head and Kilbaha.

Carrigaholt - IWAI boats in the bay

Dolphins galore in the estuary (Photo Meegan family)

A day none of us will forget - Playful Dolphins entertain the boats (photo Meegan family)

Moodshadow on the edge of the Atlantic ocean

Continued ...

 

[oceanfroggie]

... continued

Kilclogher Head and Loop Head in the distance

Group Photo in Kilrush Marina before the Rally Dinner at Kilrush Golf Club. Photo John Hehir. Our thanks to John for his hospitality and professionalisim. He runs a wonderful marina facility. Kilrush Creek is worth a weeks visit with so many places to visit and explore by day including Foynes, Kilbaha, Carrigaholt. All within the capability of inland single engine displacement craft used to navigation loughs like Derg and Ree.

Noel & Dave heading for the Rally Dinner - A team effort with the help of all our rally crews. Thanks so much to all of you who helped out, everybody lent a hand, and thanks especially to "De Band"

De Band play fabulous music again at the rally dinner in Kilrush Golf Club.

The Voyage home - Part of IWAI fleet departing Kilrush bound for Limerick

The weather was glorious - Sailing vessels off south of Scattery Island. It would be a long lazy passage up the scenic estuary as we departed in glorious sunshine. We had to push the tide due to the size of the fleet and late time of HW Limerick that day, but sure where else would one want to be but on the sea.

Ships ahoy - The estuary had everything, car ferries, ships, dolphins, power stations, light houses, airports, castles and more

Approching Foynes - once the home of the worlds busiest transatlantic air hub and home of the famous Pan-AM clipper flying boats between 1939 and 1946

Calisto - Chilling out

Dave signing off as we approach Limerick on our return to Limerick City for another wonderful weekend. Due to the turbine load at Ardnacrusha we had a well earned extra rest day in lovely Limerick

De Band left their calling card in the 62ft lock chambre at Ardnacrusha - Home

Rally Plaque on slate

That's all for now, will post more photos from crews on the Rally web site photo gallery later this week. It was a wonderful week, the company was great, and it was really nice getting to know the crews, most from the north and mid shannon. I think all of the Shannon branches (Carrick, Athlone, Belturbit, Boyle, Powerboat, Cruising and Derg) were represented as were the Barrow branch. Thank you folks for making this week special, for your friendship and help. To my fellow organiser Dave, what can I say but thanks for your skill, endevour, patience, effort, good humour and friendship. Thank you also Siobhan and Jonie for your company, support and help. The new Atlantic branch of IWAI has been born - roll on next year, and many smaller CICs to Limerick in between now the pathway has been blazed by 35 wonderful crews.

 

[Greg2]

Great write up and some fantastic pics, I really enjoyed reading it. Nice to see such a well supported event. Thanks for posting.

 

[pks1702]

Another super post OF thank you.

Fantastic photos to boot.

We can see who has our decent weather

I was astounded by the quality of mooring etc on our trip last year, some would put to shame South Coast Marina's.

 

[oceanfroggie]

I was astounded by the quality of mooring etc on our trip last year, some would put to shame South Coast Marina's.

Thanks for kind comments guys.

Where was your trip last year?

 

[cimo]

great photos. thanks for sharing.
had no idea Ardnacrusha lock was that big.

 

[Hels75]

Playwright is loosing for your stories of the Shannon

Hi all,

I am a Limerick based playwright and I am working on a new play for the Limerick City of Culture. The play will be a tapestry of real people's stories and experiences of the river Shannon particularly in relation to Limerick. I am also hoping to stage the play on a boat at the back of the Hunt Museum. So if anyone has a boat that can seat about 15 people and would like to hire it to us for the month of August or if you have a story you would like to share please get in touch. You can email Helena at rivershannonproject@gmail.com or visit our website on www.vivavocetheatre.co.uk

Thanks

Helena Enright
Artistic Director
The River Shannon Project

 

[oceanfroggie]

Hi all,

I am a Limerick based playwright and I am working on a new play for the Limerick City of Culture. The play will be a tapestry of real people's stories and experiences of the river Shannon particularly in relation to Limerick. I am also hoping to stage the play on a boat at the back of the Hunt Museum. So if anyone has a boat that can seat about 15 people and would like to hire it to us for the month of August or if you have a story you would like to share please get in touch. You can email Helena at rivershannonproject@gmail.com or visit our website on www.vivavocetheatre.co.uk

Thanks

Helena Enright
Artistic Director
The River Shannon Project

Hi Helena

Wow this tread is a blast from the past, but happy memories. Good luck with the play project. Can I suggest you post similar to the above on http://www.iwai.ie/forum which is the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland forum. As far as I know there will be a number of cruisers visiting Limerick this bank holiday weekend.

Noel