Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development, restoration and promotion of the inland navigable waterway system throughout the island, principally for recreational and tourism purposes. It has responsibility for approximately 1,000km of navigable waterways. With a staff of…

Waterways Ireland has temporarily closed service blocks across its all-island network of inland waters as of today, Thursday 22 October. The move is in line with the latest coronavirus control measures announced by both the Northern Ireland Executive and the…

Afloat is saddened to learn of the death of Brian J Goggin, noted inland waterways historian and a former contributor to this publication. A longtime member of the Irish Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), who served as editor of its…

Waterways Ireland advises that essential maintenance works at Dromod Harbour on the Shannon Navigation in Co Leitrim are due to commence this Thursday 15 October and run until Friday 27 November. All on-site services, including water and pump-out facility, will…

Owners of boats without permits on the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal and the Barrow Navigation face the removal of their vessels by Waterways Ireland later this month. They are among the boats in contravention of bye-laws that will…

Waterways Ireland has suspended the five-day mooring rule until late October in the wake of the country’s move to Level 3 coronavirus restrictions. As of this past Wednesday 7 October, the rule — which prohibits vessels from mooring in one…

Waterways Ireland advises all users of the Grand Canal in Co Offaly that the southern tow path from Plunkett Bridge at Pollagh to Turraun — half-way between Tullamore and Shannon Harbour — will be closed from next Monday 12 October…

Navigation in or out of the Dublin on the Royal Canal is currently suspended until the completion of works on three separate lock gates. Waterways Ireland says repair and upgrading works are required at Lock 12 in Castleknock, Lock 10…

Just as Ireland's one-design keelboat classes were gearing up for the last blast of the season this weekend, anticipated COVID-19 restriction hikes are threatening the staging of the annual regatta at Dromineer in County Tipperary. Flying Fifteens, Dragons, Squibs and…

Environmental campaigners have hit out at a Stormont decision to approve sand dredging in Lough Neagh, as the Belfast Telegraph reports. Sand dredging has been practiced in Lough Neagh since the 1930s, with no permission needed until after the lough…

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that low water levels exist on the upstream approaches to Meelick and Victoria Lock on the Shannon Navigation. Water levels are currently up to 39cm below summer levels in these areas due…

Waterways Ireland is encouraging the public to explore its more than 350km of waterside trails on National Walking Day this Sunday, 27 September. First held last year, National Walking Day is taking place on trails, towpaths and beaches as well…

Waterways Ireland advises all masters and users of the Royal Canal that canoe polo events will take place in the vicinity of the harbour in Mullingar this weekend, 27-28 September and the following Sunday, 4 October. Boat movements in the…

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and water users on Lough Derg to proceed with caution moving in or out of Mountshannon as the green navigation marker for the western side of Cribby Island is currently off station. Lough…

Users of the Erne System have been advised to expect reduced water levels throughout the navigation from Thursday 1 October. This is when water levels on Lower Lough Erne are expected to be drawn down by DfI Waters to a…

Waterways Ireland advises that emergency works on the Royal Canal embankment in Westmeath will continue until the end of this month. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the inland waterway between the 34th and 35th locks, at Balroe and Ballynacarrigy respectively,…