MacDara Conroy
MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business
An illustrated guide to some of the best canoe tours of Ireland's waterways is soon to be published. Irish Canoe Classics by Eddie Palmer and Tony Monaghan features 34 of the country's finest loughs, canals and rivers - as they…
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan will issue a decision "in the coming weeks" on Shell Ireland's plans to complete the Corrib gas pipeline, The Irish Times reports. The news follows yesterday's ruling by An Bord Pleanála which approved revised plans final…
Gardaí in Carrick-on-Shannon are investigating a serious raid at a marina that saw as many as 60 boats vandalised. The Irish Times reports that the attack early on Tuesday morning involved a five-strong masked gang using a number of vehicles,…
An Aran Islands ferry company is currently battling the Department of the Marine in the High Court over charges for the use of Rossaveal Harbour, the Galway Advertiser reports. http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/35447 Island Ferries Teoranta claims that harbour fees have risen eight-fold…
The first ever Air Corps survey of whale and dolphin activity in Irish waters is set to begin today, the Irish Times reports. A survey team accompanied by members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) were scheduled to…
A lost baby seal surprised workers at a plant hire yard in Strabane, Co Tyrone earlier this month, BBC News reports. Staff at WT Hire were put in touch with a seal sanctuary in Newtownards when the pup was discovered…
Whitecoat seal pups Snowy and Cecil were finally returned to the wild on Tuesday after their original Saturday release was postponed. The two seals, who were reabilitated by the Irish Seal Sanctuary at Courtown Harbour after being found on the…
The Cruising Association has urged boaters to ensure their supplies of diesel are free of bio-fuel that could have harmful effects on marine engines. Regulations for the new grade of low-sulphur diesel for leisure vessels and yachts were introduced last…
The Angling Trades Association (ATA) has announced its support for TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's 'Fish Fight' campaign to bring an end to the practice of discarding commercially-caught sea fish. Last week saw the shocking news that half of all fish…
Supporters of Northern Ireland's coastguard control centre have launched a campaign to prevent any reduction of its service. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Bangor faces the axe under proposals to streamline coastguard services across…
Two new radio documentaries on surfing in the west of Ireland are now available to listen online. Originally broadcast on the Kilkee-based community station Raidió Corca Baiscinn at the end of last year, Conan Brophy's two-part series provides a snapshot…
Waterways Ireland has confirmed that further dredging of the Grand Canal in Dublin will commence this month and continue till the end of April. The canal will be closed to navigation from Lock C4 at Baggot Street to Lock 1…
Irish sailor Ross Kearney came out tops in the 2011 Mirror World Championships in Western Australia last week. After a bad start that included a capsize in 20-knot winds on the opening day, Kearney and crewmate Max Odell climed ahead…
The Irish Seal Sanctuary celebrated the release of six grey seal pups from two different locations last weekend. Dustin, Phoenix and Sean were released from Courtown Harbour, while Buddy Holly, Louise and Cookie were put into the water in Ballyferriter,…
British Prime Minister has dismissed concerns over the potential loss of Northern Ireland's Coastguard centre. The Belfast Telegraph reports that when questioned on the future of the Bangor control centre by DUP MP Jim Shannon, David Cameron replied that he…
The Royal Cork Yacht Club has announced that its dining facilities will close until late spring at the earliest due to a slump in business over the last year, the Irish Examiner reports. http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/historic-yacht-club-forced-to-close-dining-facilities-141975.html The club recently put its chef…
Galway city could see a new ferry link with the Burren in Co Clare, pending a feasibility study. The proposed 'Ballyvaughan Bay Hop' ferry could see the travel time between the two locations halved, and could be ready to go…
The 30-strong crew of Llandudno RNLI are celebrating the 150th anniversary of their branch's founding. "We are very proud to have reached this milestone," spokesman Alan Sharp told the Daily Post. Since 1861 the Llandudno lifeboat has saved 550 lives…
Marine scientists yesterday welcomed President Mary McAleese on a visit to the Marine Institute headquarters in Oranmore, Co Galway. The President met many of those involved in the SmartBay project, a network of buoys that uses remote sensing technology to…
The Irish Surfing Association has released its draft calendar of events for the 2011 season. Beginning in late February with the Irish Student Nationals in Portrush, the season takes in 16 weekends of meets - including the World Junior Surfing…
