Waterways Ireland advises users of the Grand Canal Greenway that the section from Digby Bridge to Sallins in Co Kildare will be closed from Monday 28 November to Tuesday 20 December in order to facilitate the restoration of the Four Pots overflow structure.

The Four Pots is a unique overflow structure located alongside the Grand Canal towpath between the Leinster Aqueduct and Digby Bridge, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

No longer in use, this ingenious overflow system has four circular channels of varying depth that helped reduce the water pressure and volume rate before discharge from the canal back to the River Liffey through a series of channels.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels in Monasterevin’s Bell Harbour and all masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal’s Barrow Line that water levels in the canal will be reduced by approximately 600mm between the 24th Lock at Ballykelly and the 25th Lock in Monasterevin for essential bank repair works.

Reduction of levels will commence at 9am on Monday 28th November and will last until Friday 2 December, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that the Fours Head of The River Rowing Race, organised by Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, will take place on Saturday 19 November.

The race will start at Inishkeen (downstream of Bellanaleck) at 9am and finish at Enniskillen Royal Boat Club in Northern Ireland at 4pm.

All masters of vessels are asked to ensure that the course is kept clear during racing and adhere to all marshals’ and organisers’ requests throughout the race day.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Shannon Navigation that the upgrade works on the waiting jetties upstream and downstream of Portumna Bridge will be carried out from Thursday 17 November to Friday 2 December.

These jetties will remain open except for the area where works are ongoing. 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 and users of the Shannon-Erne Waterway that tree trimming and hedge cutting will be carried out at various locations along the waterway during the winter period from now until February 2023.

During this operation, floating pontoons will be located on the water with mechanical plant operating. Mechanical plant will also be in operation along the banks of the waterway.

Masters will be advised by Waterways Ireland staff when making a passage, and the cooperation of masters is requested at this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland have shared their enthusiasm at once again being a part of Science Week, which runs this year from Sunday 13 to Sunday 20 November.

The Learning Zone website will host ‘Explore Ireland’s Waterways’, an online workshop which takes you on a virtual visit of exploration to your local canal, river or lake.

This workshop is full of fun and interesting activities covering a range of topics ideal for either classroom based or outdoor learning, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

What is biodiversity? Do you know what the words species, habitat of ecosystem mean? Check out the Waterways Wildlife Fact File to find out more about the diverse variety of wildlife found within our waterways.

Our waterways are a haven of biodiversity. It’s very important that we all respect these environments while we enjoy the benefits they offer. The Waterways Hero!! activity highlights the importance of being a responsible waterway user.

Make you own Waterway Eco-Dial to bring it on a nature walk or watch the Explore Ireland’s Waterways video to identify some of the plants & animals living along your local waterway

You can also make the most of the last of the autumn leaves with the Autumn on the Waterways tree-creation activity.

Explore these and much more in the Waterways Ireland Learning Zone during Science Week 2022 this week.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Grand Canal in West Dublin that the greenway section from the 8th Lock at Fox and Geese to the 9th Lock in Clondalkin will be closed from next Wednesday 16 November to Friday 16 December to accommodate services installation works.

No public access is permitted during these works. A temporary traffic management plan with diversions for pedestrians and cyclists will be in place, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Royal Canal in northeast Kildare that the towpath between Cope Bridge and Louisa Bridge in Leixlip will be closed to public use for the upcoming months, effective from next Wednesday 9 November. 

This closure is to facilitate upgrading works to the path for future shared cycle and pedestrian use, as part of an overall contract to upgrade the Royal Canal towpath between Leixlip and Maynooth. 

Future path closures along this overall route will also be required, and these will be similarly notified in advance, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that the newer Muckross slipway and adjacent jetty will be closed for two weeks from Thursday 3 November for refurbishment works. During this time, the older slipway and jetty at Muckross will remain open.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and water users that the Shannon Navigation, Erne System, Barrow Navigation and Northern Ireland’s River Bann are currently experiencing high water levels which are expected to continue to rise.

All users of these inland waterways should proceed with additional caution and bear the following in mind:

• Air draft is reduced under all bridges and power lines.
• Water velocity is significantly increased.
• Access to jetties can be difficult as gangways and pontoons are elevated.
• Navigation markers, pontoons, jetties may be submerged.
• Mooring lines should checked regularly if it safe to do so.