Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal that the 51st IWAI Shannon Harbour Rally will take place from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 June.

All vessels entering the Grand Canal are reminded to ensure they have a valid permit for the duration of their stay, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Visitor permits may be applied for on the Waterways Ireland website by completing the CMP application. Please ensure that the permit start date is correct as the permit will be valid for one month from this date.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels using the Grand Canal from Lowtown in Co Kildare to Shannon Harbour that water patrollers will assist with the operation of locks daily from 9.30am to 6pm during the boating season.

Safe passage through locks outside these hours will be the responsibility of the master of the vessel, and they must ensure the lock gates are left as found, with the water pressure on the breast gates.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on the Grand Canal that the 14th Lock at Devonshire Bridge in Co Kildare has been closed with immediate effect.

Navigation through the lock is not possible at this time. Further notices in relation to this closure will be issued as required.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it regrets any inconvenience that this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on the Grand Canal that the 30th Lock at Ballincloughin Bridge, west of Tullamore in Co Offaly, will be closed for maintenance from Monday 13 May to Saturday 18 May.

Navigation through the lock will not be possible during this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that it will be carrying out maintenance works on the waiting jetty on the upstream side of the 35th Lock in Shannon Harbour.

Works will begin on Monday 29 January and will last for four weeks, from 9am to 5pm each day. The jetty will be closed during this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that the Barrow Line from Lock 24 (McCartney’s) to Lock 25 (Moores) will reopen to navigation on Thursday 28 March following essential quay wall refurbishment at Bell Harbour in Monasterevin.

Localised quay wall restrictions will remain within Bell Harbour to facilitate ongoing paving and landscaping works, and vessels navigating within the harbour are asked to proceed with caution, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that the water level in the Grand Canal between Locks 13 and 14 in north-east Kildare will be reduced by around 18 inches (450mm) with immediate effect.

The reduced water level will be in place until 1 February 2024.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways advises masters of vessels to check mooring lines regularly throughout this period.

Navigation in this section will be restricted and only possible by first contacting the area foreman on 087 359 9072.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessel on the Grand Canal that due to the ongoing works at Shannon Harbour, passage through Locks 35 and 36 will only be possible by prior arrangement with the Waterway Patroller.

This system will be in place until Tuesday 21 November, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Operation of the locks will be controlled by the Waterway Patroller and only during working hours, as follows:

• Until 31 October: 9.30am to 4.45pm (lunch break 1-1.30pm).
• 1 November to 15 March: 9.30am to 2pm (lunch break 1-1.30pm).

To arrange passage through Locks 35 and 36, use the following numbers:

• For passage from Monday to Sunday (excluding Friday), call 087 245 6587.
• For passage on a Friday, call 087 245 6609.

Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that the Barrow Line will be closed to vessel traffic from McCartney’s (Lock 24) to Moore’s (Lock 25) to enable essential quay wall refurbishment at Bell Harbour in Monasterevin.

This closure will commence on Wednesday 1 November for a period of around 18 weeks, until early March 2024.

Mooring in Bell Harbour and through navigation will not be possible in this area for the duration of the works. Vessels moored in Bell Harbour will be accommodated on the 24th and 26th levels during this period.

Vessels in Bell Harbour are requested to vacate the harbour and 25th level by Tuesday 31 October.

Any craft remaining in this area on 1 November will be removed to alternative mooring on the 26th level by the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that culvert replacement works will be commencing on the summit level from Thursday 2 November.

These works — some 450 metres east of Lock 19 in Lowtown, Co Kildare — are to replace a damaged culvert under the canal and are expected take around 10 weeks.

Navigation will not be possible in this area for the duration of the works, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.