Our Rallies are annual events and very popular…
39th IWAI DUBLIN RALLY 2025
Schedule:
- Saturday 3rd May – boats inbound on the Grand Canal from the 12th lock Lucan.
Rally boats will be moored in the Grand Canal Dock that evening. - Friday 9th and Saturday 10th May – boats inbound on the Royal Canal from the 12th lock Castleknock.
Boats will take part in Phizzfest. - Rally boats will be moored in the GCD the aftrenoon of Sunday 11th May.
- Saturday 24th May – rally boats outbound on the Royal Canal and Grand Canal.
To ensure that the rally is a safe and enjoyable event please ensure that any boats coming into Dublin have the following in place:
Competent crew, Life jackets/buoyancy aids, ropes/lines of sufficient length, mechanically sound engine in good repair, boat pole/hook (avoid planed 2×2 timber), fenders, wire cutters/sharp knife, fire extinguishers.
Rally entry fee: €75 (Total rally fee must be paid in advance)
For further information please email Dublin branch at dublin@staging.iwai.ie
Deadline for entries: 16th April 2025
Introducing the 2020’s Big Cruise Map
The 2020’s BC map is updated every year to show the variety and range of canal based events available – and to attract boaters from the rivers to explore the canals too.
Over many journeys travelling the Inland Waterways of Ireland we have met other boaters who say…
“I’ve been meaning to cruise the canals for years!” and “I would love to explore the canals but I’m afraid of doing it alone.”
Well there is no need to miss out on cruising the Royal, Grand or Barrow any longer! The IWAI’s canal branches have put together an annual listing of all major canal based events, we call it the 2020s BC. ‘BC’ stands for ‘Big Cruise’ and you can plan yours from the events on the map or join one of the planned cruises for 2025.
This year’s main events are:
Green & Silver Cruise 2025
IWAI Dublin are organising a Green & Silver Cruise beginning in Clondra in April – See Map.
– Please contact John Kearns – email: dublin@staging.iwai.ie to join or for further details.
HBA (Heritage Boat Association) Barrow Cruise 2025
The HBA are organising a Cruise down the Barrow beginning in Robertstown in March – See Map.
– Please contact Gerry Burke gbrk@hotmail.com or the HBA info@heritageboatassociation.ie to join or for further details. (You must be a member of the HBA to join)
IWAI Royal Canal, Cruise in Company to Abbeyshrule
IWAI Royal Canal are organising a Cruise in Company to Abbeyshrule, beginning in Clondra on August 8th – See Map.
– Please contact the branch Secretary John Banim john.banim@gmail.com or IWAI Royal Canal royalcanal@staging.iwai.ie to join or for further details.
Please remember – You must be a member of IWAI to join IWAI events – follow the Join or Renew link at the top of the page to sign-up!
The 2020s BC (Big Cruise) map shows the major canal based events planned for 2025
Some events and dates may change for reasons outside our control so please check with the relevant IWAI branch or organisation hosting the event(s) you are planning to visit. Always double check the details. Happy Cruising!
48th IWAI LOUGH DERG RALLY 2025
Date: Saturday 5th July to Sunday 13th July 2025
Sunday 6th July: Fleet rests in Terryglass
Monday 7th July: Cruise to Dromineer
Tuesday 8th July: Fleet rests in Dromineer
Thursday 10th July: Fleet rests in Mountshannon
Friday 11th July: Cruise to Killaloe
Saturday 12th July: Fleets rests in Killaloe & we enjoy our Dinner Dance at The Killaloe Hotel & Spa
Registration: Open 1st Week of May
Rally Fee: €175
Open Boat Fee: €87.50
Organising Branch: Lough Derg
Contact: loughdergrally48@gmail.com
Join us for the 63rd Shannon Boat Rally 2025
Friday 25th July to Sunday 3rd August 2025
We invite you to join us for the 63rd Shannon Boat Rally. Whether you have your own boat or plan to hire a boat you are welcome to join us for a week of fun for all the family on the River Shannon.
Kicking off in Rooskey, travelling to Drumsna & Lough Key and finishing in Carrick on Shannon, you will be guaranteed a week of fun for all the family. The rally is the perfect holiday for all ages and a great way to make wonderful memories and new friends on the River Shannon.
The theme for this year’s rally is “Super Heroes”.
Itinerary:
Saturday 26th/Sunday 27th July – Rooskey
Monday 28th/Tuesday 29th July – Drumsna
Wednesday, 30th July – Anchor out in Drumharlow Lake (weather permitting)
Thursday, 31st July / Friday 1st August – Lough Key
Saturday 2nd/ Sunday, 3rd August – Carrick on Shannon
Organising Branches Athlone and Carrick on Shannon
IWAI SHANNON HARBOUR RALLY 2025
Save The Date: Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd June 2025
Online Registration: Coming soon!
Contact: shannonharbourrally@gmail.com
The Naas & Corbally Canals Festival
Saturday 25th October to Monday 27th October 2025
Organiser: IWAI Kildare Branch
Start & finish location: The event will start and finish in Naas Canal Harbour.
Check back for more details & registration nearer the time