A Boatman’s Journey: Navigating the heritage of the Grand Canal through the eyes of a boatman

Waterways Ireland, the Heritage Boat Association (HBA) and Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) Offaly Branch, are joining forces for a special event to celebrate our shared waterways heritage through “A Boatman’s Journey – Grand Canal”. This event features a talk and presentation by Waterways Ireland and a showcase of Heritage Boats and Bolinder engines by the HBA and IWAI.

The talk and presentation will unveil a Storymap that guides you through the heritage of the Grand Canal from a boatman’s perspective. Using a selection of Waterways Ireland’s archived resources combined with new multimedia content, the Storymap explores how the Grand Canal has connected communities, facilitated trade routes, created networks and shaped the cultural landscape of the area over the centuries.

While the HBA will also be hosting their own separate events during this time, we encourage you to come along and discover the sites, stories, landscapes, and hidden gems that make this waterway a cherished part of our national heritage.

Waterways Ireland and HBA event will take place on 25th August, 1 - 3pm.

Talk and Presentation by Waterways Ireland: 1- 2pm
Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Showcase of Heritage Boats and Bolinder engines by the HBA: 2 - 3pm
Grand Canal Spur and Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.