51M in Offaly on Grand Canal over holiday weekend

Daingean: Lunchtime, 14:00 on Sunday June 6

Ballycommon: Evening, 21:00 on Sunday June 6

Tullamore: Harbour Area, 16:00 Monday June 7

 

51M leaves Dublin May 2010

 

All are welcome to come along to see the boat and learn about her history.

 

CIE announced the closure of the Grand Canal to commercial traffic in December 1959. However, a few boats continued to transport Guinness into 1960. 2010 is the 50th anniversary of the last trading boats on the Grand Canal. On a quiet afternoon on 27 May 1960, there was only one barge being loaded with a large cargo of Guinness in the Grand Canal Harbour at James Street. Around tea-time, the loading was complete, and the 51M, heavily laden and very deep in the water, started its Bolinder engine and glided noisily out of the harbour. This would never happen again. 50 years ago, the 51M* was the last trade boat to leave Dublin and travel the Grand Canal.

 

*The owners of 51M, Waterways Ireland, are kindly permitting the HBA to use the boat to re-create that historic voyage.

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