Press Release – Arthur’s Day – 68M completes historic voyage Sep 2010

Arthurs Day 2010, Dolan’s Limerick

Thursday September 23rd

 

Canal Boat 68M completes a historic voyage 50 years on…

 

Dolans celebrates Arthurs Day in style this year! We are proud to announce the arrival of the Grand Canal Barge 68M to Limerick Docks for the first time in 50 years carrying a special batch of Guinness Kegs, already sampled and selected by our customers in St James’ Gate, Dublin.

 

Fifty years after Canal Boat 51M carried the last commercial cargo from Dublin outbound to Limerick along the Grand Canal and River Shannon, the Heritage Boat Association (HBA) are re-creating her historic voyage. Waterways Ireland, who own 51M , agreed to allow the HBA to re-create the final farewell to commercial canal traffic in Ireland. On her last journey 51M’s cargo consisted of a consignment of Guinness for the Limerick depot and at the time their departure caused quite a stir with both the public and the press. 50 years later 51M departed from the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre beside the new Theatre in Grand Canal Basin on Wednesday 19th May, and after a number of stops she left Dublin on Thursday May 20th. 51M arrived in Tullamore at the end of May where it is understood Waterways Ireland plan to fit her out as a display boat for use at events along the waterways.

 

From Tullamore another Canal Boat, 68M, also one of the last boats to leave Dublin in 1960, took over the historic re-enactment of that final commercial voyage. On her way 68M called at Shannon Harbour, Banagher and Killaloe, and on Arthur’s Day, the 23rd September she will complete her journey and deliver by canal and river once again, a cargo of Guinness to Dolan’s Pub in Limerick.

 

On board 68M for this journey will be some of the Canal boatmen that worked the boats and brought Guinness to Limerick in the 1950’s & 1960’s. Also on board will be Sean McGowan and representatives from Dolan’s Pub, Waterways Ireland and the Heritage Boat Association.

 

Members of the public are welcome to come and see the boat in the afternoon on Wednesday 22nd as she passes through the Abbey River, Sarsfield Lock and on to Custom House Quay. On Thursday 23rd she will arrive at the Docks mid afternoon to deliver that special cargo to Dolan’s to celebrate Arthur’s birthday. (Exact times will be given on the day).

Musicians and Actors will entertain the revellers on The Docks as a currach from St Michaels Rowing Club will deliver the first keg to thirsty Dolan customers!

 

Sean McGowan will be with us on the Docks with his boat Tess in which he made his successful solo Atlantic crossing earlier this year.

 

 

Tickets for the Arthurs Day Celebrations costing €2.50, will go on sale in the Pub at 5pm on the day and when you buy your ticket you will get a Complimentary Pint of Guinness! At 17:59 we will raise a Pint “To Arthur” joining in the worldwide celebrations. This will be followed by a Live Session in the Pub.

 

 

The Warehouse and Upstairs venues will open their doors at 7pm with an eclectic line-up of bands and DJs to take us into the early hours. Irish Bands Redneck Manifesto, John, Shelly & The Creatures, CODES, Protobaby and Blind Pilots will all play sets with DJ Woody – playing his “Turntables in Technicolor” Live AV Show along with Leon, Panic! DJs and Shane Serrano. All the action will be recorded by FlipIt TV – Limerick’s newest Internet TV Channel!

 

 

More details will be announced so keep an eye on www.dolanspub.com

 

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