The Royal Canal Park and Boating Centre was presented very well again in 2007 thanks to our FÁS workers, Waterways Ireland and ourselves, Enfield Environment Group/Tidy Towns. Our group entered the linear park along the canal in the Waterside Award in the National Tidy Towns Competition. We achieved 37 marks out of 50 in the category of landscaping. To quote from our 2007 Adjudication Report under the heading Landscaping the report says: "This is an area of the competition that you obviously enjoy, the magnificent Royal Canal Harbour and Leisure Park being a case in point. The help you receive from FÁS must be of great benefit to you. It was being well tended, even on a miserable rainy day. The memorial feature for all those who worked on the project over the years is a lovely idea".

The Mullingar Boat Rally had an overnight stay in Enfield on the 16th June. There were about 25 boats involved. The boat owners treated about 40 Chernobyl children to boat trips while they were in Enfield and our group is very thankful to them for doing that for the children.

Our FÁS scheme in the Enfield area has been renewed and we have 3 workers on our scheme. Vandalism in the area of the canal park is on the increase and we constantly liaise with the local Gardai and thankfully they patrol this area quite often. Our group is currently in negotiations with Meath County Council and Enfield Gardai to bring in an alcohol ban in the canal leisure park area.

The Royal Enfield Angling Club celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in style with a very successful 2 day International Angling competition held over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of June. Forty seven anglers from all over Ireland and the UK enjoyed a spectacular weekend of fishing on the Royal Canal at Kilcock and Ferns lock.

The presentation of prizes took place in the Bridge House in Enfield on Sunday evening with a number of dignitaries present including Councillor Billy Carey, Mr. Dave Egan Chairman NCFFI as well as Mr. Willie Rigney of Waterways Ireland, the main sponsor. Speaking at the presentation Councillor Carey, one of the founders of the fishing club, fondly remembered the early days of the club and congratulated the club on its continued success. Councillor Carey also congratulated the new Honorary President of the club, Brian O’Donoghue, commending him for his 50 years of commitment to the Royal Enfield Angling Club, saying he could think of no one more deserving of the position of Honorary President. Mr. Dave Egan, Chairman of the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland praised the club on its longevity and noted that Enfield was one of only 3 coarse fishing clubs in the country able to boast such an achievement. Mr. Egan presented Brian with a commemorative medal to mark this special occasion. Brian is also, of course, a long-time member of the RCAG and has been RCAG Treasurer for the past 10 years. The Group joins in congratulating Brian on his election as Honorary President of the Royal Enfield Angling Club.

The two-day event has always received fantastic support and this year was no different and the Club would like to thank the following for their generous sponsorship and support:- Waterways Ireland, Highway Markings Ltd, Progressive Genetics Co-Op, Fergus Crowe, Brian O’Donoghue, Michael McGuane and the Corrigan Family.

The festival was won by Mr. Michael Cormican, Belfast with a weight of 27lb 4.5oz who was presented with the Progressive Genetics Cup as well as a Waterways Ireland Crystal Trophy and a cheque for over €800. 2nd place went to Mr. Martin Marrison, Surrey, England with a weight of 18lb 12oz, who was presented with the Michael McGuane trophy as well as a Waterways Ireland Crystal Trophy and a cheque for over €500. 3rd place went to Mr. Darren Fairhurst, Dublin with a weight of 18lb and he was presented with a Waterways Ireland Crystal Trophy and a cheque for over €350. 4th place went to Mr. Brendan Mc Donnell from Leicestershire, England, while 5th place went to Mr. Sid Baldock, also from Leicestershire. The Ladies Section was won by Anne O’Donoghue from Enfield while the Junior Section was won by Robert Smithers, with 2nd place going to Darren Flynn, Clonard and 3rd place to Conor Nolan, Clonard.

 

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