Waterways Ireland and Dublin City Council have launched a new study that considers the outdoor recreation opportunities of the Grand Canal and its towpaths and land resources in Dublin’s south central area.

The jointly commissioned report by Irish Leisure Consultants, titled The Grand Canal Recreation Activation and Animation: Portobello to Kylemore Road, is informed by the views and knowledge of local communities and stakeholders as well as the ambitions of national and local strategies and plans.

The area in question has limited on-water activity at present, even though it has one of the longest stretches of the canal in the city with no navigation locks.

The Grand Canal and its towpaths represent a significant opportunity to unlock the potential of this inland waterway asset for local communities, Dubliners and visitors to the city.

The consultation process identified positive, strong and diverse connections among residents and communities with this section of the Grand Canal, including recreational uses, environmental stewardship, heritage, and active travel. The report emphasises the importance of balancing of opportunities and responsibilities to increase quality of life and provide for a diverse range of needs and interests.

The report also recommends a collaborative approach, with an initial programme of community-based activities and leadership training to enhance a sense of place and develop perceptions and engagement with the canal, followed by the physical development of a series of links, nodes and zones along the canal.

In spring and summer this year, the project partners say they will work with local stakeholders to pilot a number of on-water activities and explore sustainable initiatives to unlock the potential of the city’s Grand Canal.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Grand Canal Greenway that the greenway section from Digby Bridge to Sallins in Co Kildare will remain closed until the end of February for continued works on restoring the Four Pots overflow structure.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Four Pots is a unique structure located alongside the Grand Canal towpath between the Leinster Aqueduct and Digby Bridge.

Its four circular channels of varying depth helped reduce the water pressure and volume rate before discharge from the canal back to the River Liffey through a series of channels, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and waterways users on the Barrow Navigation that the construction of the Athy Distributor Road bridge is under way and has progressed to the stage where interaction with navigation and trackway users is required.

The new road bridge is being built some 30 metres downstream of the currently disused Wolfhill Railway Bridge in Athy, Co Kildare.

The navigation and trackway will be closed to traffic between the 28th Lock at the Horse Bridge and Ardreigh Lateral Canal to facilitate the lifting and placing of new bridge beams on Monday 23, Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 January from 7am to 12pm each day.

In an update, Waterways Ireland confirmed that the navigation and trackway will be closed for a further two mornings on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 January for the same.

Masters of vessels are advised to exercise caution in the vicinity of the works and to follow the instructions of safety personnel in the area.

Further temporary closures and restrictions will be required for bridge deck installation and Wolfhill Railway Bridge refurbishment, details of which will be advised in due course.

Following the pre-Christmas warning over an off-station marker on the Shannon Navigation, Waterways Ireland advises that a temporary red marker has now been installed in the relevant area north of Athlone.

The temporary marker is in place of the port-hand lateral marker on the south side of Inchmore Island on Lough Ree.

Masters of Vessels should proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the island, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users the Shannon Navigation at Lough Ree that a port hand lateral marker on the south side of Inchmore Island is currently off station.

Masters of vessels should proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of Inchmore Island north of Athlone until further notice.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System of the following in relation to the operation of Portora sluice gates near Enniskillen in Northern Ireland over the Christmas period:

If the sluice gates are in operation on Sunday 25 December, there will be no navigation as the control house for the lock gates will not be manned that day.

If the sluice gates are in operation on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 December, there will be a reduced operating window. This will be from 8am to 6pm on both days.

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 now be closed from Tuesday 3 January to Friday 10 February.

This closure is to accommodate ESB cabling and services installation works, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

No public access is permitted during these works. A temporary traffic management plan with diversions for pedestrians and cyclists will be in place.

Waterways Ireland, in partnership with four local authorities, has launched a new winter ‘Make a Connection’ campaign to encourage people to ‘go green and blue’ this festive season and enjoy connecting with the outdoor spaces of the Royal Canal Greenway during the most wonderful time of the year, in a bid to reduce stress and boost overall wellbeing in the winter months.

The campaign has been launched by the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways in partnership with Westmeath County Council, Kildare County Council, Longford County Council and Meath County Council.

A representative from Waterways Ireland said: “Since launching, the Royal Canal Greenway has played an important role in providing a place for people to re-energise and destress.

“We know that from research there is a positive association between encountering green spaces, wildlife, nature, bodies of water such as canals and rivers, and mental wellbeing.

“The 130km canal route has an abundance of trees, plants and wildlife which means it's capacity to improve mental wellbeing is likely to be due to the multiple benefits associated with both green and blue spaces, and indeed the social, community connection with other

“We are encouraging as many people to visit the Royal Canal Greenway as possible this winter in a bid to access this free amazing space, which can play such a vital role in our wellbeing.”

Discover winter’s natural beauty

The Royal Canal Greenway travels from cosmopolitan Maynooth, through Enfield and Mullingar, to charming Cloondara in Longford. A mostly flat trail, the Royal Canal Greenway is steeped in history and was once the domain of placid barge horses, which today has become the realm of walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages.

Indeed, earlier this year it was named European Cycle Route of the Year 2022 by leading Dutch walking and cycling fair Fiets en Wandelbeurs, as previously reported by Afloat.ie.

Many people find that packing a lunch and a ramble along the flat path, passing through picturesque waterside villages is one way to enjoy the Royal Canal Greenway.

It is also home to many welcoming cafes and coffee boxes to stop at for both food and drink, often with outside seating, as well as picnic spots, playgrounds and attractions so you can support local businesses whilst socialising with friends and family.

Enjoy active experiences

While the winter months can make it more difficult to get outside, there are still a wide variety of outdoor activities that can get you moving on the Royal Canal Greenway, for all ages, while staying active.

There are also a number of fitness events scheduled to take place on or near the Royal Canal Greenway in the coming weeks and in the New Year including weekly park runs in the scenic village of Kilcock and in Mullingar. Westmeath will also host the annual Mullingar Half Marathon on St Patrick’s Day.

Stay and unwind

The Royal Canal Greenway is also home to many hotels, guest houses and B&Bs who enjoy the views of both the green and blue spaces. The location of these allows enjoyments of the path at a pace that suits all age-groups and abilities.

As the trail passes through four counties all the way from Ireland’s Ancient East to Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, there are plenty of places to stay overnight at and relax. Many are offering special winter discounts so you can enjoy a festive staycation at an affordable price.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Grand Canal Greenway that the greenway section from Digby Bridge to Sallins in Co Kildare will remain closed until the end of January 2023 for continued works on restoring the Four Pots overflow structure.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Four Pots is a unique structure located alongside the Grand Canal towpath between the Leinster Aqueduct and Digby Bridge.

Its four circular channels of varying depth helped reduce the water pressure and volume rate before discharge from the canal back to the River Liffey through a series of channels, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon-Erne Waterway that all 16 locks on the inland waterway will be out of service from Friday 23 December to Monday 2 January inclusive.

No lock passage by boat will be possible during this period. Normal service will resume at 9am on Tuesday 3 January.

The service blocks at Aghalane and Haughton’s Shore are closed until Wednesday 15 March. Service blocks at Ballyconnell, Ballinamore, Keshcarrigan and Leitrim shall remain open.

All associated land-based and water-based Blueway trails shall remain open.

Further information is available during normal business hours from Waterways Ireland’s Carrick-on-Shannon office at +44 (0)71 965 0562.