Water taxi to the showgrounds

While parking at the Virginia Agricultural Show is surprisingly pain-free given the huge crowds, arriving by boat is a truly enjoyable way to start a fabulous day out.

Following a successful run last year, Ramor Watersports Club will once again be offering relaxing boat trips from the Lakeside Manor to the shores of the showgrounds.

Speaking about the alternative, Commodore of the Virginia Watersports Club, John Wilson said: “It’s great fun!”

“I’d say we had probably 60 to 80 people overall,” estimated John of last year’s venture. He found the trip was most popular, especially with the locals living on the Dublin side of town.

“We won’t be going up to the Whistle Stop now to collect anyone,” laughs John, reminiscing on some of the funnier moments from 2022.

“They phoned us to see if they could get a lift back. It was all a bit of craic. We did go up and get them.”

The club will be using their inclusive boat ‘The Amanda’.The 20-foot Coulam A20 will hold eight people plus two crew members.

“It’s a wheelchair accessible boat,” explains John.

The service will run from 10am-7pm on show day, Wednesday, August 23.

The Amanda will be running constantly between these times on a crew rotation basis with each trip expected to take 30 minutes in total. This will include checking passenger lifejackets, boarding, the journey itself and disembarking.

The trip costs €5 each direction and no prior booking is needed to avail of the water taxi service, attendees will be shuttled upon arrival. Ample parking is available outside The Lakeside Manor Hotel.