The winner of its 2016 Waterways Ireland Schools Competition is Bernard Sweeney from St. Patrick's Boys NS in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. The runner-up prize goes to Orla Connolly from Runnamoat National School in Co. Roscommon.

The Young Journalist Schools Competition was launched at the annual INTO Congress in March and was open to entries from 4th - 6th/P5 – P7 students throughout Ireland. It was based around the recorded interviews of people's waterway memories and experiences and is a fantastic source of evidence of life in the past for school-children and historians alike.

Each entrant was asked to listen to a selection of short audio clips uploaded to our website then write a newspaper article based on the event described within their chosen clip. The response to the competition was extremely positive with over 50 high quality entries received from all over Ireland.

Bernard's article entitled 'Mishap with a Bathtub' and Orla's article entitled 'Tragic Waterways Accident' really caught our attention. Bernard's article tells us about a flood at Shannon Harbour in Co. Offaly and the creative idea of one RIC man to get through the flood. Orla's article tells us about a tragic accident involving a young boy and reminds us of the message to stay safe near the waterways.

Bernard won an Ipad mini for his school along with a €50 One4all gift card for both himself and his teacher Noel McKeon. Orla has won a €25 One4all gift card and one her teacher Ann Carroll. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who took the time and effort to enter the competition.

Calls to reopen the Limerick navigation between Parteen Weir and the city have been answered as Waterways Ireland confirmed that the infrastructural repair works needed would begin this week writes Andrew Carey.

As Afloat.ie reported previously, damage to floating pontoons and a breakwater at the Abbey River forced the closure of the navigation until Waterways Ireland identified a number of repair options for the damaged infrastructure along the Abbey and Shannon rivers.

Boaters, local Councillors, sitting TDs and the business community in Limerick issued calls for Ministerial intervention to reopen the waterway after it closed on April 25 last.

A spokesperson for Waterways Ireland said that "the stretch of navigation from Limerick city to Parteen Weir has been closed to navigation due to continuing infrastructural deficiencies as a result of the winter storms and subsequent flooding.

"The navigation remains closed and users are advised to stay clear of the damaged facilities in the area.

With additional funding sought from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Waterways Ireland said that it had "limited resources and has had to prioritise its' interventions in those areas of greatest need and use."

However, this Wednesday, the agency said that "following inspections of the floating breakwater and the waiting jetties, a number of design solutions have been advanced to repair and re-instate the infrastructure.

"Works are commencing this week and it is expected that navigation in Limerick will be re-opened in three to four weeks."

The news has been broadly welcomed by leisure boat users and the business community who said that an indefinite closure of the navigation would effect tourism revenues and jobs in the area.

Last year, a six point plan to boost marine tourism on the Shannon and in Limerick was launched by then Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan.

The plans, drafted by Limerick marine enthusiasts to benefit local tourism, heritage and education, were submitted to Waterways Ireland.

Waterways Ireland said that they wished to take this opportunity "to apologise for the inconvenience caused to customers by this closure and wish to thank you for your patience and support in this matter."

Waterways Ireland has announced that Portumna's Castle harbour opened to vessels for berthing the first weekend in June following extensive renovation and upgrade.

The harbour works included the doubling of mooring capacity at this ever popular location, upgrade of berths, re-paving of quay area and installation of cut stone walls.

While the Harbour is now re-opened for boats, works to the onshore services including the upgrade of the service block, car parking, services for camper vans and access road continue and are expected to be completed in early September.

The project is funded through the Lough Derg Stimulus Fund (administered by Fáilte Ireland), by Galway County Council and Waterways Ireland.

Éanna Rowe, Regional Manager, Waterways Ireland said "I am especially pleased that the harbour is re-opening this weekend to boats and given the increased capacity now in the harbour I am full sure that Portumna can continue to benefit from the Shannon and its inland boating fraternity". Mr. Rowe added that he wanted to complement the Waterways Ireland Operations Team for their efforts and endeavours in providing yet another top class waterway product on the Shannon Navigation.

Limerick's newly appointed Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan has been asked to intervene with Waterways Ireland to reopen navigation of the River Shannon at Limerick city and avoid the loss of marine tourism revenue to the city writes Andrew Carey.

As Afloat.ie reported earlier, on April 25, Waterways Ireland issued a marine notice advising all users that the river from Limerick city to Parteen Weir would close to navigation.

It cited the "continuing high flow rates and infrastructural deficiencies as a result of the winter storms and subsequent flooding" as reasons for the closure.

Waterways Ireland said that the "floating breakwater at the entrance to the Abbey River in Limerick is no longer in place to protect vessels from striking the fixed weir. Also, there are many strong currents and eddies making navigation dangerous for both large and small craft.

A safety inspection of other damaged floating pontoons further upstream was to be carried out "when water levels and flows permit. Meanwhile, users are advised to stay clear of these until a further Marine Notice is issued on this matter."

Remedial works have yet to take place and the waterway remains closed to all marine traffic during the peak summer season.

Sailors from local sailing clubs wishing to access the Shannon now face the prospect of missing completions and events around the west coast and beyond as they can not pass through the navigation.

Last year, a six point plan to boost marine tourism on the Shannon and in Limerick was launched by then Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan.

The plans, drafted by Limerick marine enthusiasts to benefit local tourism, heritage and education, were submitted to Waterways Ireland.

Well-known boatman Pat Lysaght said that "Limerick is effectively landlocked and until these issues are rectified we will continue to lose out".

Calling for immediate intervention by Minister O'Donovan, who has responsibility for tourism and sport, Cllr Emmett O'Brien said the closure of the waterway "means no boats can sail from Limerick city to Killaloe. This may have a serious impact on local tourism and is contrary to all lip service being paid to Limerick being a riverside city.

"We need a clear and accurate response from Waterways Ireland and the Council why this has occurred and our local Minister for State for Tourism must intervene to ensure this navigation route does not remain closed."

Fianna Fáil Deputy Niall Collins said that it was of huge concern that "Limerick City is effectively closed off to marine tourism and this is having a detrimental impact on tourism across the Shannon region.

“I’m calling on Waterways Ireland to outline when the navigational hazards it has identified along the river will be addressed. We need to know the planned schedule of works and when the river will be reopened to marine traffic.

"We can’t have a situation whereby boats cannot sail up or down the River Shannon during the peak of the tourist season. This needs to be addressed without delay."

At the time of going to press, Limerick City Council and Minister O'Donovan had failed to respond to queries.

Waterways Ireland issued this statement on Wednesday afternoon.

"The stretch of navigation from Limerick city to Parteen Weir remains closed to navigation due to continuing infrastructural deficiencies as a result of the winter storms and subsequent flooding.

"Waterways Ireland, following the 2015/2016 flooding event has and continues to restore the infrastructure right along the Shannon navigation following on from the damage caused by record flood levels and the prolonged duration of these floods during last winter.

"However, Waterways Ireland has limited resources available to it and has had to prioritise its' interventions in those areas of greatest need and use."

The statement did not indicate any timeframe for reopening of the navigation.

#WaterSafety - Waterways Ireland has echoed the recent advice over the dangers of the water during the current warm spell across Ireland.

The latest marine notice from the management body for Ireland's inland navigations warns the public on the dangers of swimming and diving in and around navigation infrastructure such as bridges, locks, weirs, pontoons and harbour jetties.
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The possibility of a swimmer being struck by a vessel, its propeller or being run over is ever present while powered craft are manoeuvring. Swimming is therefore prohibited at these locations.

It follows similar warnings from the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Irish Water Safety urging caution to anyone engaged in activities on or near the water this summer.

The latest incident saw a 12-year-old boy airlifted to University Hospital Galway after wounding his leg on a jagged rock while cliff diving in the Gaeltacht, as Independent.ie reports.

#InlandWaters - The Waterways Ireland Docklands Summer Festival takes place this weekend 21-22 May with a wide array of activities for all.

Water-based experiences include kayaking, paddle boarding and barge rides, as well as the opportunity for the young and old to try their hand at a range of interesting water sports.

If you'd prefer to stay dry, events for land-lubbers include water golf off the jetty or the rubber duck race.

The festival promises a hive of activity across the Docklands, with entertainment and family fun guaranteed. Find out more HERE.

This Saturday 21 May also sees the Waterways Ireland Loughfest take place at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen.

The annual extravaganza, organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, promises to be a fun-packed day for all the family, with a range of events taking place on Lough Erne and the Broadmeadow from 12 noon till 4pm. Details are HERE.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland's 2016 event programme launches 120 events celebrating the arts, heritage, adventure, and sporting communities along Ireland's inland waterways.

Now in its tenth year, the programme has sponsored over 700 events with a knock-on effect of €80m in benefits to the local waterway communities. Information on all fun activities and events can be found on the Waterways Ireland website.

Events in the programme this year include TriAthlone on Lough Ree, TriAthy X in Athy on the Barrow, the Killaloe Water Festival on Lough Derg, the Erne Classic Fishing Festival, the Shannon Blueway Adventure Festival, the Docklands Summer Festival and Phizzfest in Dublin, and the Waterways Ireland Riverfest on the Lower Bann, which this year hosts the European Boat Wakeboard Championships.

"These events supported by Waterways Ireland have revitalised rural and small urban communities, and have facilitated the development of local community associations, leading to real economic and social impacts," says Sharon Lavin, head of marketing and communications at Waterways Ireland.

"The Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme in 2015 supported the participation of almost 38,000 people directly in waterway activity and welcomed over 160,000 spectators to waterway events along the navigations. The economic impact of the 2015 programme along is estimated at €7.8m."

The programme announcement comes after Waterways Ireland announced its 2016 boating season, which kicked off earlier this month.

In other news, over 90 local businesses attended the 'Build Your Blueway' Networking Expo recently at The Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, creating and developing new business opportunities across Cavan, Roscommon, Longford and Leitrim.

Organised by the Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy Project in conjunction with Waterways Ireland, the event offered activity, arts, heritage and cultural businesses the opportunity to present their business, network and develop cross-selling options with accommodation providers and others in a series of sessions.​​

Waterways Ireland has announced its 2016 inland waters boating season with the winter mooring period ending on the Shannon and Shannon-Erne Waterway. Boaters are invited to shake off the winter blues, refloat their boats and plan ahead to get the most out of the upcoming season.

Our waterfront locations, towns and villages are very attractive places for boaters to visit. A necklace of harbours, marinas and jetties complement these towns and allow access to them. However as the season progresses, some boats overstay their welcome on these free moorings causing inconvenience to other boat users and denying access to the facilities themselves and towns and villages along the navigations .

Boat users should be aware that from the 31st of March, the 5 day rule will again apply at all Waterways Ireland moorings on the Shannon and Shannon-Erne waterways. Boats users may remain in one location for up to 5 days and then must leave that public mooring to allow for other boat users arrive and enjoy the wonderful facilities at these locations.

Meanwhile, The schedule of Newcomen Bridge lift dates at the Royal Canal in Dublin for 2016 is now updated. Planned lifts after June have had to be cancelled until necessary upgrade works are completed. A further Marine Notice will issue to advise.

Arrangements have been made for Irish Rail to open the bridge on the above dates / times, if there is demand.

Thursday 14th April 11am - 1pm
Sunday 1st May 9am - 1pm
Saturday 28th May 9am - 1pm
Tuesday 14th June 11am - 1pm

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland has hosted a series of successful site visits and workshops for primary pupils to visit the Barrow Navigation and the Erne System as part of Engineers Week 2016.

Now in its 10th year, Engineers Week is a programme of nationwide events with the aim of celebrating the world of engineering in Ireland.

The theme for 2016 was 'Engineering Our Future' – aimed at igniting the imaginations of the next generation of engineers.

More than 50 pupils from St Johns NS, Monasterevin and Kildangan NS came to the Barrow in Monasterevin to meet the Waterways Ireland engineering staff who brought them on a tour around the operation of the lifting bridge, the aqueduct and the lock.

Meanwhile, over 75 students from Brookeborough PS, Jones Memorial PS and Ederney PS visited Waterways Ireland headquarters in Enniskillen where engineers led them through a series of workshops including bridge building, making floating and fixed jetties, marshmallow challenges and the Archimedes Screw.

According to Waterways Ireland, feedback from schools has been very positive with many expressing interest in attending future educational events – and a number of children stating that they want to become engineers in the future.

Engineers Week highlights the range of work undertaken by the engineering staff of Waterways Ireland, which employs civil and mechanical engineers and technicians on a range of projects on all seven navigations managed by the organisation.

Projects include navigation operation, maintenance and development, structural design, project management, fleet management, development and maintenance of electro-hydraulically operated lock gates and accompanying smart card system, and many more.

Waterways Ireland has brought over 1,500 pupils to the waterways principally for Engineers Week over the last three years of the programme.

As Afloat.ie previously highlighted, Waterways Ireland has announced a Heritage Grants programme in support of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan 2016-2020. 

A fund of €20,000 has been allocated to assist community based heritage projects which compliment or fulfil the delivery of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan along the Barrow Navigation, Erne System, Grand Canal, Lower Bann, Royal Canal, Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and the Ulster Canal (Upper Lough Erne to Clones).

Applications will be considered from communities seeking assistance for projects related to inland waterways' heritage including data collection & research, good heritage practice in managing sites, collections, objects, etc. And support fresh approaches and initiatives that link heritage to communities, promoting active engagement with heritage.

A range of criteria will be used to assess the applications for support including how well the project compliment or fulfils an action of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan 2016-2020, the extent to which proposed activities benefits local heritage and will benefit intended target group or area, the level of innovative and the capacity of applicants to carry out the proposed project. Some types of support will not be considered under the Waterways Ireland's Heritage Grant Scheme.

The Application Form and Guidelines should be reviewed for clear information on project eligibility,

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 22 April 2016.​ Only one grant per organisation is permitted. Grants up to €1,500 / £1,200 are available.

For view the Heritage Plan, seek more information and the application pack please visit www.waterwaysireland.org. As this is the first year of the Heritage Grant Scheme, assistance is being provided by phone or email for communities who would like help completing the application process. Contact Cormac McCarthy at [email protected], +353 (0)61-92214 for assistance.