#Liffey - A parade of illuminated boats is set to light up the River Liffey in Dublin city centre this Saturday evening 17 May.

Organised by the Dublin Branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), the parade will depart from Grand Canal Dock at 8.30pm and will rally at the Civic Offices on Wood Quay around an hour later, ahead of a spectacular light show staged on a barge moored on the Liffey at 10pm.

This event is part of the IWAI's Dublin rally that began on 4 May and continued till saturday 24 May.

Nearly 100 boats are in Grand Canal Basin for the rally, many of them navigating the Royal and Grand Canals and River Barrow to Dublin for the rally. This year is a special celebration of a number of significant anniversaries.

Not only is the IWAI celebrating it's 60th year, but its Dublin branch is 50 years old this year, and this is the 30th year of the Dublin rally.

In addition, the Royal Canal Amenity Group is celebrating its 40th anniversary, while it's also 20 years since the Shannon-Erne Waterway was reopened as a gong concern, and 10 years since the IWAI's Boyne branch was founded.

The boat parade will also highlight the IWAI campaign for the reform of bye-laws governing Ireland's main inland navigation routes.

It's just one of numerous other events taking place including family fun days, BBQs and parties in various locations. For a full schedule of events and information on how you can get involved with the rally see the IWAI website HERE.