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Santa made an early visit to Newry tonight when he tried out the Currach he will be travelling in when he visits Newry on Saturday the 7th of December and you can have a trip in the Currach yourself on the night.
Newry Maritime Association in consultation with the local Currach Club has agreed to take Santa up the Canal by lantern on Saturday 7th at 5.30 - 8pm.
Santa will be inviting the general public to come along to the pontoons opposite the Quays Shopping Centre and enjoy Currach boat rides by lantern up to the Albert Basin from 5.30pm. If you are feeling adventurous you can also travel further up under the first two bridges as far as the bridge on Bridge Street.
Mayor Councillor Michael Ruanne commented “I am looking forward to rowing up the Canal with Santa Clause by lantern and I hope the general public come along to experience this unusual and exciting event as the Currach boats have been a great success in Warrenpoint through the annual International Currach Championships held every year which attracts visitors from all over Ireland, England and America.”
Looking forward to the event James McAreavy of Newry Maritime Association added “It’s fantastic to see the Currachs coming to the Albert Basin to further showcase the tremendous recreational benefits that the Canal has to offer to the people of Newry and the surrounding area.”
Mr Thomas (Baker) McCann of the Warrenpoint Heritage, Education and Culture Collective said “I am delighted to offer this service to the Council and Newry Maritime Association. It highlights our aim to promote Currach Boats not just in Warrenpoint at the annual Currach Championships in August but also throughout the District.
"The Currach Championships held every summer in Warrenpoint is held under the auspices of Warrenpoint Heritage, Education and Culture Collective and we will be holding a public meeting to formally constitute a separate Currach Club with a Junior and Senior Membership. This will be held shortly in Warrenpoint Town Hall and all those interested in the development of Currach boats are welcome to attend. It would be important to emphasise that this is open to all for recreational rowing for all ages and not just competitive activities.”
