11 events
Events
Rallies, regattas, festivals and music on and beside the water, with dates you can add to your calendar.
Dates can change: check with the organiser before you travel.
Quiet season: the next event is on Sat 1 May 2027. Know of one sooner? Suggest an event
May 2027
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IWAI The Gathering
Usually over the May bank holiday weekend — 2027 dates not yet published
The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland opens its boating year over the May bank holiday weekend, with boats from across the waterways meeting for talks and a social weekend. In 2026 it was held at Ballyleague and Lanesborough on Lough Ree; the 2027 venue and dates are still to be announced.
Organiser: Inland Waterways Association of Ireland
Source for the usual dates: iwai.ie (opens another website)
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International 420 Munster Championship
· 3 days
Championship for the two-person 420 sailing dinghy, hosted by Lough Derg Yacht Club at Dromineer over the May bank holiday weekend. Expect racing fleets off Dromineer and a busy harbour: cruisers should slow down and keep clear of the race area.
Organiser: Lough Derg Yacht Club
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Gaelforce Great River Swim
Lanesborough & Ballyleague · Lough Ree
Open-water swim on the River Shannon at Lanesborough, with distances from 800 m to a 12 km marathon, swum downstream with the current. Expect swimmers and safety boats on the river: slow right down and follow the marshals’ directions.
Organiser: Gaelforce Events
June 2027
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IWAI Shannon Harbour Rally
Usually mid-June — 2027 dates not yet published
A weekend rally at Shannon Harbour, where the Grand Canal meets the Shannon, organised by the IWAI with a barbecue and gatherings ashore. Boats entering the canal need a canal permit, at least the free visitor permit. In 2026 it ran from 19 to 21 June; the 2027 dates are not yet published.
Organiser: Inland Waterways Association of Ireland
Source for the usual dates: iwai.ie (opens another website)
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Féile Brian Ború
Usually over five days ending on the first Sunday of July — 2027 dates not yet published
Killaloe & Ballina · Lough Derg
A five-day festival in the twin towns of Killaloe and Ballina, at the southern tip of Lough Derg, celebrating the high king Brian Ború with music, family events and happenings by the water. It runs in the first week of July (1 to 5 July in 2026), so expect busy moorings.
Organiser: Féile Brian Ború
Source for the usual dates: feilebrianboru.com (opens another website)
July 2027
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IWAI Lough Derg Rally
Usually early July — 2027 dates not yet published
A week-long rally around Lough Derg’s harbours run by the IWAI’s Lough Derg branch, with a different harbour every night or two and a night at anchor. The 49th rally in 2026 ran from 4 to 11 July via Dromaan, the Black Lough, Mountshannon and Garrykennedy; the 2027 programme is still to come.
Organiser: IWAI Lough Derg Branch
Source for the usual dates: iwai.ie (opens another website)
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Gaelforce Great Lake Swim
Open-water swim on Lough Derg that starts and finishes at Portumna’s bathing place, with three distances for swimmers with and without wetsuits. Boats should keep well clear of the course and follow the safety crews on the day.
Organiser: Gaelforce Events
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IWAI Shannon Boat Rally
Usually late July – early August — 2027 dates not yet published
A week-long cruise in company on the Shannon for private and hire boats alike, with a new stop most days, an anchor-out and a gala night to finish. The 64th rally in 2026 ran from 25 July to 2 August, from Lanesborough via Portrunny, Hodson Bay and Shannonbridge to Athlone; the 2027 route and dates are still to come.
Organiser: IWAI Athlone and Carrick-on-Shannon branches
Source for the usual dates: iwai.ie (opens another website)
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Lough Ree Yacht Club Annual Regatta
Usually late July – early August — 2027 dates not yet published
A week of sailing races for keelboats and the club’s classic Shannon One Designs at Lough Ree Yacht Club near Athlone, around the August bank holiday. In 2026 it ran from 1 to 7 August. Expect race marks and fleets on the southern lake: slow down and give way to sail.
Organiser: Lough Ree Yacht Club
Source for the usual dates: lryc.ie (opens another website)
August 2027
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Carrick-on-Shannon Regatta
Usually on the first Sunday of August — 2027 dates not yet published
Carrick-on-Shannon · Upper Shannon: Lanesborough to Carrick
Rowing regatta on the Shannon just below the town bridge, hosted by Carrick-on-Shannon Rowing Club on the Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, with crews from all over Ireland. Navigation and mooring near the course are restricted for the day: check the marine notice.
Organiser: Carrick-on-Shannon Rowing Club
Source for the usual dates: rowingireland.ie (opens another website)
October 2027
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IWAI Naas & Corbally Canals Festival
Usually over the October bank holiday weekend — 2027 dates not yet published
An autumn rally on the Naas branch of the Grand Canal, organised by the IWAI’s Kildare branch over the October bank holiday weekend: boats climb the five locks to Naas harbour, with walks, talks, boat games and music.
Organiser: IWAI Kildare Branch
Source for the usual dates: iwai.ie (opens another website)
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