Boat taxi available for those heading to Virginia Show

Michelle Taite

Beat the Virginia Show traffic by taking a boat from the Manor thanks to Ramor Watersports Club.

The club are offering free return trips to the show, allowing attendees to swap horrendous traffic delays for a relaxing ship across Lough Ramor.

The service came about when a member of the Virginia Show Society approached the Commodore of the Virginia Watersports Club, John Wilson, with the idea.

“We agreed so we’ve been preparing ever since,” John happily reports.

Club members will collect €20 for entry to the show, however the water taxi will be completely free.

“They would be paying that to get into the show if they turned up at New Street. We won’t be charging them anything on top of the show's entry. We’ll just land them to the harbour at the show.”

The club will be using their new inclusive boat, The Amanda - a Coulam V20, and holds 10 people.

“It will hold eight people plus two crew members. It’s a 20 foot boat Coulam A20. It’s a wheelchair accessible boat. We only got the boat in June and we’ve been running trips for people in wheelchairs and other challenges and family groups.”

The service will run from 10am-7pm today, Wednesday.

“We’re going to keep it constantly going up and down by rotating crew, so the boat will not stop,” John vows.

The trip is set to take 30 minutes in total, this will include checking passenger lifejackets, getting them onboard, the journey itself and disembarking on the other side.

“We’ll point them out a few points of interest on the way up as well.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our boat trips. We’re doing it all pro bono.”

Ample parking is available outside The Lakeside Manor Hotel and no prior booking is needed to avail of the water taxi service, attendees will be shuttled upon arrival.