Branch Contents

Belturbet Branch

Contents: Events Calendar Belturbet Town Branch History Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal Lough Erne European Wanderings Out and About Overseas Tourist Information 1994 Cruising Guide Photos

History of the Belturbet Branch The Belturbet Branch of the IWAI was formed in 1966. Victor Barham, J.C.Brady, Pat Doherty & Thomas Kenny were the main driving force behind it at that time. There was no navigation authority then on the River Erne in the Republic of Ireland, so the branch was mainly occupied with marking the river for navigation and building a jetty at the "Ducking Stool" in Belturbet. Then, as now, the main event in the calendar of activities was the River Erne Boat Rally, organised in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Branch. The objectives of the branch from an early stage were the restoration of the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal, the extension of the Erne navigation to Lough Oughter and the restoration of the Ulster Canal. To date only one of these objectives has been achieved. The branch organises a number of small open boat outings, mainly to highlight the lesser known rivers. This year we navigated the Annalee River from Ballybay, Co. Monaghan to Cootehill,Co. Cavan. The current Chairman of the Branch for 2009 is Cathal Kinney (from NI) 079 0495 1476 (from ROI) 00 353 79 0495 1476 The branch has members largely based in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louthnand Meath and one as far a field as Germany.

IWAI Home - Contact Belturbet Branch