Ireland's newest aqueduct was the centre of attention for barge enthusiasts yesterday. Encircled overhead by a roundabout and skirted by a railway bridge, the aqueduct, which passes over the M50 motorway and under Blanchardstown roundabout, is part of a waterway which Royal Canal users hope will extend to the Liffey by 2001.
Yesterday the aqueduct played host to the start of the Royal Canal Amenity Group's (RCAG) silver jubilee rally, which will make the 70-mile journey to Abbey shrule, Co Longford, over the next 10 days. Cars, buses and lorries on Blanchardstown roundabout blew their hooters as barges with names such as Kingfisher and Toad Hall made their way through the incongruous environment. There were nine English barges among the 27 in the 10-mile first stage of the rally to Maynooth, Co Kildare.
While the rest of the country cursed the weather, which was more appropriate to February than August, the sailors were well pleased with the grey skies and damp conditions. After a July which saw 50 per cent less rain than usual, there had been some concern that low water levels would hamper the barges' progress. About 100 spectators braved the cold yesterday morning to see the barges off.
The organisers say the rally route was deliberately "not a very demanding one" as "the major intention of the rally is celebration". The RCAG hopes the entire Royal Canal will be accessible from the Liffey for the 2001 World Canal Conference in Ireland.
The director of waterways at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Islands, Mr John Martin, started the rally on behalf of the Minister, Ms de Valera. He praised the "foresight and perseverance" of the RCAG over the last 25 years and said one of Ms de Valera's main priorities was to open the waters between the Royal Canal and the Shannon.
The rally will travel the 11.5 miles from Maynooth to Enfield, Co Meath, today. Kilcock Harbour will play host to a display of illuminated boats tomorrow evening. The rally will pass through Kildare, Kilkenny and Westmeath on its way to Abbeyshrule, where it ends on August 19th.
