Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Following yesterday’s update on the upcoming easing of Level 5 restrictions on waterways in the Republic, Waterways Ireland has issued an advisory on access to navigations and availability of services in Northern Ireland. As in the rest of the island…

Waterways Ireland is advising all masters of vessels and water users that, in line with Irish Government restrictions, much of its network of inland waterways will open for navigation within one’s own home county from Monday 12 April. However, all…

Waterways Ireland has issued a second advisory for essential diving and engineering works on the Shannon Headrace Canal between Ardnacrusha Power Station and Parteen Weir from today, Tuesday 6 April to Friday 7 May. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, these…

Canal-boat restaurant operators on the Grand Canal in Dublin have spoken out after they were banned from providing takeaway meals amid the current pandemic restrictions. According to The Irish Times, at least one eatery is out of pocket by thousands…

Waterways Ireland advises that a Canoeing Ireland selection event will take place this Saturday 3 April on the Grand Canal at the Celbridge Paddlers Canoe Club–Alymer’s Bridge area. This event is part of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic qualification pathway…

Lough Ree RNLI is urging the public using the River Shannon and Lough Ree to be safety conscious as they make the seasonal return to the waterway this weekend. The volunteer lifeboat crew at Lough Ree RNLI have, in line…

Waterways Ireland has announced that the winter mooring period on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway has been extended by another month until Friday 30 April. There will be no additional cost for this extension, but masters of vessels are…

British Marine has said recent guidance issued by the UK Government confirms that canal boats and other vessels in England are, in its view, eligible for COVID-19 recovery grants. The Restart Grants were announced earlier this month by Britain’s Chancellor…

While the Evergreen-owned container ship blocking the Suez Canal may be the biggest ship of her kind in the world, canal sailors from many countries have been developing theories as to how best she might be moved, and two Narrowboat…

Waterways Ireland advises users of the new Royal Canal Greenway in Co Longford that the towpath on the 44th level of the inland waterway at Killashee will be closed from next Monday 29 March to Monday 12 April to facilitate…

The Royal Canal Greenway, a scenic 130km walking and cycling amenity stretching alongside the historic 225-year-old canal, officially launches today ahead of the summer 2021 season. The €12 million project co-ordinated by Waterways Ireland is the country’s longest Greenway, traversing…

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan will be joined by Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, for the virtual launch of the Royal Canal Greenway this coming Wednesday 24 March. No pre-registration is required…

A Co Laois barge hire company is seeking tenders to build a new passenger vessel for use on the inland waterways. Barrowline Cruisers in Vicarstown wants to commission and fit out a 46ft passenger barge or boat with a capacity…

 Only a few days after Carrybridge RNLI which operates on Upper Lough Erne, received a generous donation from the Enniskillen Royal Boat Club, its Atlantic 85 Inshore lifeboat answered a shout yesterday (7th) to help a vessel with two people onboard…

Many people who visit Ireland's sea coasts under sail are unaware that they're really only seeing half of the story. For the unseen inland Ireland is a vast watery place of myriad lakes and winding waterways, so much so that…

Waterways Ireland advises that site investigation works will take place on the Royal Canal towpath east of Phibsborough until next Wednesday 10 March. These investigate works have been classified as critical infrastructure works so they will continue over the current…