Waterways Ireland is inviting members of the public and interested parties to have their say on proposed revisions to the Shannon Navigation and canals bye-laws in a second phase of consultation.

The consultation covers the Shannon Navigation (including the Shannon-Erne Waterway), Royal Canal, Grand Canal, Barrow Line and Barrow Navigation, and submissions in Phase 2 are open until Monday 26 February.

Following the initial consultation period, which concluded in late October 2023, Waterways Ireland says it reviewed all the submissions and has published a Phase 1 consultation report.

Based upon the feedback received in the first phase, a set of amended draft bye-laws has been issued and can be found on waterwaysireland.org as well as in local libraries along the waterways corridors.

Members of the public can also attend any of two information evenings, taking place on Tuesday 6 February at the Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone (6pm-9pm) and Wednesday 7 February at Mullingar Park Hotel (6pm-9pm).

Submissions to the public consultation can be made through the online survey on the website, by email to [email protected] and by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, Dock Rd, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37 RW26.

Following this consultation, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it make any necessary changes to the bye-laws following a review of submissions, with the next stage being ministerial approval.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Erne System in Northern Ireland that piling works have commenced adjacent to the East Jetty at Devenish Island on Lower Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh.

This work is to facilitate an extension of the existing jetty with completion anticipated by end of March. During the extension work, access will be maintained to the existing jetty so far as reasonably practical.

Masters of vessels are advised to adhere to all signage and direction of safety boats, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that the waterway is currently experiencing high water levels and fast flows.

Masters and all other water users should proceed with additional caution and bear the following in mind when on the water during high-water conditions:

• 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

In addition, Waterways Ireland confirms that the following mooring facilities are closed due to flooding from high water levels:

• Athlone downstream jetty
• Ballinasloe Marina
• Pollboy jetties
• Shannonbridge Quay
• Banagher Harbour
• Clonmacnoise floating jetties
• Victoria Lock floating Jetties
• Reddins Quay (Tuamgraney)

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it thanks all vessel owners and operators for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that all 16 locks on the Shannon-Erne Waterway will be out of service from Friday 22 December to Monday 1 January inclusive.

No lock passage by boat will be possible during this period before normal service resumes at 9am on Tuesday 2 January, says the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the service block at Ballyconnell is currently closed due for extensive refurbishing works.

The service blocks at Aghalane and Haughton’s Shore, Ballinamore, Keshcarrigan and Leitrim village remain open, as do all land-based and water-based blueway trails associated with the waterway.

Waterways Ireland says it regrets any inconvenience that this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.

Further information may be had during normal business hours by contacting Waterways Ireland’s Carrick-on-Shannon office at 071 9650 562.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of craft wishing to make passage on the Royal Canal in Dublin that a navigation restriction is to be applied to use of Lock 10 for boat passage.

The maximum beam of craft that will be permitted to pass through this lock in Ashtown, west Dublin will now be restricted to 3.5 metres.

This restriction is necessary due to structural checks recently undertaken on the lock, which identified a need for limiting the size of craft that could pass through it.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it thanks its users for their understanding in this matter.

Waterways Ireland has launched an ambitious 10-year plan which seeks to deliver on the enhancement, restoration and conservation of Ireland’s inland waterways, greenways and blueways.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways aims for a “reimagining” of the historic waterways under its remit “to make them more sustainable and accessible while offering enhanced recreational opportunities for users, including watersports, angling, cycling, walking, boating and more”.

This long-term vision will be supported by an initial investment of around €200 million in funding over the first three years of a 10-year cycle.

One of the key commitments is investment in and and redevelopment of the Dublin Docklands and the canals running directly through the capital city, the Royal Canal and Grand Canal, to bring these areas to a standard seen in other European capitals.

Outside of Dublin, a significant focus will be put on the next phase of development of the Ulster Canal, which Waterways Ireland hails as one of its “largest engineering feats ever undertaken”.

Some €120 million in capital funding will be invested in phase three, comprising a 10km stretch from Castle Saunderson to Clonfad. This will link with phase two, from Clonfad to Clones, where a new marina is under construction and works are scheduled to finish in time for the 2024 season in March.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph about the third phase, Waterways Ireland chief executive John McDonagh said: “I can say confidently we have support from a wide consensus of the community on both sides of the border for this particular project. The community in general has been waiting for a long time for this to happen.”

Also core to the 10-year plan is sustainability, with Waterways Ireland including “directional pathway” that looks to enhance and upgrade the waterways for the public good “in a manner that is harmonious with the surrounding environments [and] supports the ecological integrity, while promoting biodiversity and eco-friendly practices”.

Commenting on the launch of the plan, McDonagh added: “We have established a significant number of opportunities in this 10-year plan to transform and enhance Ireland’s waterways, greenways and blueways into attractive visitor experiences for locals and tourists alike, while providing added economic, social and environmental benefit to these local communities.

“We want to encourage more people to use our waterways and natural amenities, while conserving the cultural heritage to ensure future generations enjoy everything our waterways have to offer.”

The full plan is available to read on the Waterways Ireland website HERE.

Waterways Ireland is planning to commence extensive refurbishment works to Ballyconnell service block on the Shannon-Erne Waterway on Monday 27 November, with works scheduled to last approximately four months.

During this time the service block will be closed to the public, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Alternative service block facilities managed by Waterways Ireland can be found along the Shannon-Erne Waterway at Haughton’s Shore in Co Leitrim and Aghalane, Co Fermanagh.

For further details on the closure, contact the Waterways Ireland Regional Offices on 0719650787 or email [email protected].

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Tarmonbarry Bridge and Lock will be closed this Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 November to facilitate inspection works.

In addition, Rooskey Bridge and Lock will be closed on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 November to facilitate inspection works.

Works at both locations will include diving operations within the vicinity of the bridges, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Clarendon Lock in Knockvicar, Co Roscommon will be closed this Wednesday 15 November due to a planned electricity outage in the area.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Red wind warning for counties Clare, Galway, Roscommon, Offaly, Westmeath for Monday (13 November) with the arrival of Storm Debi.

And a Status Orange warning will be in effect on and off the East Coast from counties Wexford to Down, with a Status Yellow warning for the rest of the island of Ireland’s coastline.

Met Éireann’s weather warning states that conditions will be “extremely gusty on Sunday night and Monday due to Storm Debi with potential danger to life”.

Possible impacts include damage to exposed and vulnerable structures; disruption to services and transport; significant power outages; and fallen trees/branches.

High winds — reaching as much as violent storm Force 11 from Mizen Head to Valentia to Slyne Head — will be accompanied by heavy rain with a chance of embedded thunderstorms and hail.

In addition, a small craft warning is in effect from 11pm on Sunday (11 November) until late on Tuesday (14 November) as south-easterly winds veering south-westerly will reach Force 6 or higher.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the inland waterways not to undertake unnecessary journeys and to check mooring lines regularly throughout this period.

Waterways users are advised that jetties and quay walls may be slippery due to the heavy rainfall. Additional precautions should be taken when operating on or near water during Storm Debi.