The Calendar of events for the official re-opening has been confirmed - see below for full listing or download the pdf from here.
Official re-opening date announced!
Waterways Ireland have announced that the re-opening of the Royal Canal will take place during the last week of September 2010. A committee comprised of representatives of all concerned groups and communities along the route has been formed. Three members of the R.C.A.G. have been selected to participate in the planning arrangements. All groups along the route of the canal should contact Pat O'Connor (Dublin) on (087) 2544623, Peter Holland (Hill of Down) on (086) 3894236 or Colm Dardis (Mullingar) on (086) 8903509. It is proposed that the restored Killucan Barge will be one of the leading boats in the parade. It is intended to be a year of festivities in communities all along the route.
Newsletter online!
We are in the process of 'renovating' this website. To both better serve our members and inform the public of our activities, our Newsletters will, in future, be available to download in pdf format. Our October Newsletter (No. 87) is now available to download, and you will need Adobe Reader or another suitable pdf viewer Future Newsletters will be available online as soon as they are ready for publication. NB - the October newsletter pdf is set up to print on two sides of a page.
Nivernais Canal trip (2009)
The chairman of the Dublin branch Mr Noel Spaine announces today plans for Nivernais trp in late July.
A small group of RCAG members will travel to the Nivernais canal in Burgendy, France from Friday 25th July to Monday 28th July for a twinning reunion. Our french counterparts would now like to make our visit official. This function will take place in the town of Tannay on the canal itself on Saturday 26th of that weekend. Naturally they would like as many RCAG members as possible to attend. Contact Noel Spaine for more details at 087 261 5657
Dublin & Meath Railway Bridge Replacement
CIE has applied to An Bord Pleanála for a Railway Order authorizing them to reopen the first 7.5 km of the double-track Dublin and Meath Railway line from Clonsilla to Pace, north of Dunboyne. This will require the replacement of the 70° skew bridge over the Royal Canal. 
Read More
On The Level - Ian Bath
Restoration of the western end of the canal continues at a steady pace. The rewatering of levels that have been dry for 40 years or more has revealed numerous problems of leakage, resulting in the need for far more extensive repairs and relining of the channel than originally envisaged. Read More
News from Waterways Ireland
Rinnmount/Begnagh: The restoration of the 45th lock is now complete, extensive rebuilding of the chamber walls having been undertaken. Construction of the new lifting bridge alongside the masonry bridge at Begnagh has also been completed. Read More
Royal Canal - Official Re-Opening Calendar of Events
June
21st 12th Lock Summer Solstice Canal Walk Demonstrations, Canal History, Exhibition and Reception RCAG/ Fingal Co. Co., 12th Lock, Castleknock
26-27th All night fishing competition, Enfield
27th RCAG Abbeyshrule local boat rally, Abbeyshrule
July
4th RCAG Ballymahon Local Boat Rally, Ballymahon
17th RCAG Confey Heritage Day & RR Reception, Leixlip
18th RCAG Dublin Branch Rolling Rally, 12th Lock, Lucan
23rd RCAG Rolling Rally Reception, Maynooth/Kilcock
24th RCAG Rolling Rally Reception & Canal Activities, Enfield
August
1st RCAG Flotilla Reception and Festival, Hill of Down
7th RCAG Flotilla Reception & Launch of Barge no 3,Killucan/Thomastown
12th Launch of Special Edition Royal Canal News
20th RCAG Flotilla Reception & Canalside Celebrations, The Great Western Rally Begins, Mullingar Harbour
20th RCAG Coolnahay GWR BBQ & Irish Music Night, Coolnahay
21st RCAG Night on the Town, Ballynacargy
22nd RCAG Canalside Celebrations, Ballymahon
28th RCAG Opening Celebrations, Keenagh/Killashee
29th RCAG Grand Festival & Boat Rally Dinner Dance, Abbeyshrule
September
12th Phizzfest, Phibsborough, Dublin
19-24th Irish National Balloon Festival, Ballymahon
24th Westmeath Co Co Culture Night, Mullingar
24 -1st Canal History Exhibition, Atrium, County Buildings, Mullingar
26th Westmeath Co Co (Possible) Royal Canal Walk
26th WCC & Partners, Celebrating the Royal Canal Day, Harbour Bridge, Mullingar
29th RCAG, Commemorative Grand Cruise, Keenagh/Killashee
30th RCAG, Mid Morning Flotilla Assembly Lock 45
October
1-3rd RCAG, Celebratory Weekend of Activity, Clondra (Richmond Harbour)
Anyone interested in an activity (walk/run/cycle/canoe run) in early September from Spencer Dock to Clondra to focus spotlight on the leisure amenity value of the Canal?
This calendar may be subject to some slight changes so be sure to check back here frequently!
Any news or information, please Email barty.rcag@royalcanal.net
