#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.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland have announced a Heritage Grants programme in support of its Heritage Plan 2016-2020.

A total of €20,000 has been allocated to help further community-based heritage projects on inland waterways and navigations under the auspices of Waterways Ireland.

Projects must compliment or fulfil the delivery of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan, which is available to download HERE.

Application forms with detailed guidelines and eligibility criteria are available in PDF and Microsoft Word formats.

As this is the first year of the grant, contact Cormac McCarthy for any assistance at [email protected] or 061 922 149 or 087 278 7463. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 22 April.​

Waterways Ireland has been requested by An Garda to limit boat movements on the Royal and Grand Canals in the Kildare area throughout this week from 25 to 31 January, during the course of an on-going investigation, particularly from the Dublin county boundary to Sallins and Maynooth respectively on the two canals.

Waterways Ireland asks that owners and masters abide by this request, and plan boat movements accordingly.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland's latest tourism guide for Voyages and Visits was officially launched yesterday (Thursday 14 January) at Belfast's Holiday World Show.

The guide contains all the essential navigational and practical information required to help in planning a voyage or visit to the eight inland navigations on the island of Ireland under the remit of Waterways Ireland.

Voyages and Visits is free and available to order in print or download from the Waterways Ireland online shop HERE.

#InlandWaters - ​​​Waterways Ireland is producing a 'What's On' guide which features festivals and events occurring within an eight-mile corridor of the inland waterways under its remit.
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​​​Over 8,000 copies of the guide will be distributed free of charge to both local and national markets.

If you would like to be considered for inclusion in the 2016 edition, please complete the entry form ​(available HERE) and return it to:

Waterways Ireland,
Marketing & Communication,
2 Sligo Road,
Enniskillen,
Co Fermanagh BT74 7JY

Alternatively, you can fax to +44 (0)28 6634 6257 or email to [email protected].

Entries must be received no later than next Friday 22 January.

Waterways Ireland continues to advise caution while extensive flooding continues across all navigations. Advice has also been issued by ESB networks in relation to available clearance under overhead or sunken electricity cables.

ESB Networks is warning members of the public and emergency services to be vigilant when moving around flooded areas in boats and other flotation vehicles.

The electricity network is designed to have ample clearance for access and egress during normal conditions. However, when areas are flooded, this clearance level may be affected.

The electricity network is live and should not be approached. Electricity wires are dangerous even at close proximity and where clearance is compromised, you should not pass under them.

If you see any sagging electricity wires or wires submerged in water, please do not steer your boat over these. Do not use oars or anything else to lift or move electricity wires. Please report any poor clearance issues immediately to ESB Network at 1850 372 999.

ESB Networks is currently assessing the electricity network in flooded areas to assess damage and identify safety issues.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland's 2016 Sponsorship Programme is now open for anyone intending to run recreational waterway and waterside events in the coming new year.

Taking place annually for the past 10 years, the Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme has supported angling, canoeing, rowing, sailing and power sports competitions, learning experiences, community, historical and educational events for people with and without disabilities.

Sharon Lavin, head of marketing and communications with Waterways Ireland, said: "The Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme supported over 100 events in 2015 including angling, triathlons and many local community events along Ireland's inland waterways.

"Tourism and participation in recreation has a social and economic impact in waterfront communities and we want to see those communities continue to grow".

For an application pack, visit the Waterways Ireland website HERE, email Waterways Ireland at [email protected] or call +353 (0)71 96 50787. Terms and conditions apply.

The closing date the receipt of completed applications is Wednesday 16 December 2015 at 3pm.