Waterways Ireland Head of Marketing and Communications, Sharon Lavin stated “Waterways Ireland is delighted to see how the infrastructure and facilities offered on the Shannon Blueway in Longford, has secured the “2016 Canoeing Ireland Club Championships” in Cloondara. The linking of the Club Championships with the Longford Blueway festival will offer visitors and the local community, animation both on and off the water for the week-end. This will include paddling taster sessions and walks along the Blueway trails into Longford, introducing  new opportunities to showcase the wonderful activities that are available on the Blueways.  I would encourage everyone to come along and join in on April 16th and 17th in Cloondara. This success story further endorses the Blueways and how they can encourage increased uptake in recreation tourism.”

Canoeing Ireland are delighted to be hosting the 2016 Club Championships in Cloondara on the 16 & 17 April 2016 in partnership with Waterways Ireland and Longford County Council.  The new Blueway infrastructure developed by Waterways Ireland makes Cloondara an ideal location for our multi discipline event.  We will be running 7 events over the weekend, making Cloondara a hive of Canoeing activity over the two days. We expect the event to be a great success attracting over 400 canoeists from all over Ireland for the weekend.

Canoeing Ireland and Longford County Council have collaborated to coordinate the dates of the Club Championships with the Longford Blueway Festival.  This collaboration will create a great atmosphere combining the buzz of the Canoeing Ireland Club Championships with other local activities such as a busking competition in Cloondara Harbour and a food festival on the banks of the canal.

As part of the Longford Blueway Festival, with the support of Waterways Ireland, Canoeing Ireland will be offering taster sessions to the general public every hour from 10.00am to 4.00pm on both the 16th and 17th April.  The taster sessions will suitable for everyone, any age, experience or ability.  Just turn up in some regular sports gear and we’ll provide the rest of the equipment for an hour of fun, banter and exploration on the Camlin Loop Blueway.  Taster sessions will be run from Cloondara Harbour, outside the Richmond Inn and will cost just €5.  You can sign up for the taster sessions www.canoe.ie/clubchampionships/tasters .  Contact learntocanoe@canoe.ie for more information.