Spectacular Flotilla of Boats bound for Newry as part of Carlingford festival

A flotilla of boats will be sailing up Newry Ship Canal this summer as part of Carlingford Cruising Week and Moneyley Oyster Pearl Regatta. It is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of boats in recent times. It is worth noting that for events like this in the future many of the proposed participants would be unable to reach Newry if the fixed bridge is placed over the Canal as planned by the Department for Infrastructure as part of their Southern Relief Road project.

Taking place on Tuesday 1 August the event is entitled 'A Night in the Albert Basin'. Organisers describe the voyag up Newry Ship Canal to the Albert Basin as "one of the most beautiful passages a sea going boat can make."

Heading NorthWest from Carlingford Marina, in the shadow of Slieve Foy, you pass the villages of Omeath on the Southern shore, and Warrenpoint on the North. As you sail past the vastly impressive ships berthed at the industrial hub of Warrenpoint Port, you suddenly find yourself in a hushed and tranquil embrace of green fields and grassy marshes. It’s a scene that hasn’t changed much since the Narrow Water Castle was built on this riverbank in the 16th Century.

A spokesperson for the event explained "This leg of the journey is quite surreal for us mariners – to be sailing so close to the mountains that you can smell the trees in the forests and listen to the birds singing. Vioctoria Lock will be wide open for us to pass through on the Spring Tide, continuing in even more bewildering environments with cars and road traffic on our beam to one side of the canal, and pedestrians and cyclists to the other. Make sure you wave to those who come to greet us on The Newry Canal Greenway, which runs along the outer bank of the canal and along the Clanrye."

The flotilla will arrive at the Albert Basin, right in the heart of Newry City, and take a berth for the night. Special menus will again be available for Carlingford Cruising Week participants in local restaurants and bars.

The following day after a quick breakfast in Newry, boats will head back down the Newry Canal, out into the Lough, and drop anchor in Rostrevor Bay for a nice relaxing evening for all, with nothing to do except bathe in the light of the full moon, in the sheltered embrace of the Mountains of Mourne.

In the afternoon, some boats may choose to launch their tenders and go ashore at the Town Dock in Warrenpoint for food and drinks. A special menu will be available for Carlingford Cruising Week participants in the Whistledown Hotel. 

Back on the water that evening, there will be a floating stage where a local band will play some old favourite Irish ballads and encourage us all to sing along from the comfort of our own boats. 

Boats can either stay on the hook for the night, or make their way back to Carlingford Marina.

This is just one of many events taking place through the week. From The Great Mackerel Cook Up to A Taste of Carlingford Lough to An Anam Tour to the top of Slieve Foy and Moneley Oyster Pearl Cruiser Race and the Dingy MoneleyOyster Pearl races there really is something for everyone.

To register for this event or one of the many others go to www.carlingfordmarina.com