Waterways Adventure 2011
The 2nd Annual Rehab Waterways Adventure in association with Bord na Móna saw the heritage boat Nieuwe Zorgen set sail for four weeks (21st May – 18th June 2011) visiting towns and villages throughout the midlands of Ireland. This awareness-raising and fundraising adventure for Rehab saw the boat stop along the route where local people were invited to take a look at the heritage boat close-up and meet its owner and captain, Eric Kemp.
The highlight was a fun-filled family event "Unlock the Adventure at Lough Boora" which took place in Sunday, 12th June at The Lough Boora Parklands in Co. Offaly. Over 1,000 people enjoyed a range of activities for all ages including novelty games, treasure hunts, a colouring competition, face painting, arts and crafts, plus much more. The key attraction was The Great Dragonfly Hunt which was specially created for the event where children were invited to help rescue the (pretend) baby Dragonflies before the evil hunters catch them! There was also a special appearance by Bosco and friends who entertained the crowd both young and old! Visitors were also invited to go on board The Nieuwe Zorgen which was be docked nearby. The boat was built in The Netherlands in 1904 and is unusual in that it boasts a 50-foot mast enabling it to sail on canals, rivers, lakes and seas – it can even sail comfortably in Force 6 conditions. The boat's long and colourful history includes a likely sinking by the Dutch to hide it from the Nazis during the Second World War.
Lough Boora (owned by Bord na Móna), consists of a magnificent collection of natural and man-made lakes, along with 50km of walkways and pastureland that provide a new habitat for flora and fauna.
The Rehab Waterways Adventure visited the following towns:
- Hazelhatch
- Sallins
- Robertstown
- Ticknevin
- Ballycommon
- Rhode
- Tullamore
- Rathan
- Pollough
