Displaying items by tag: Waters

2nd November 2011

Winter Closures on the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation

#WATERWAYS – In its latest marine notice Waterways Ireland has advised masters and owners of vessels that the following planned closures will be in place for the winter of 2011-2012.

GRAND CANAL – MAIN LINE

2nd Lock, Inchicore   The canal will be closed at the 2nd Lock from December 2011 to February 2012 for the replacement of lock gates.
Ardclough   The canal will be closed east of Henry Bridge to facilitate the laying of a storm water culvert by Kildare County Council – dates to be confirmed.
Tullamore   The canal will be closed from 7th November 2011 to 5th March 2012 to facilitate the construction of three footbridges and a boardwalk by Tullamore Town Council.
Ballycommon   The canal will be closed to facilitate dredging – dates to be confirmed.

GRAND CANAL – BARROW LINE

Glenaree to Rathangan   The Barrow Line will be closed between 22nd Lock at Glenaree and 23rd Lock at Rathangan from 1st November 2011 to 17th March 2012 to facilitate dredging.

ROYAL CANAL

Spencer Dock, Newcomen Bridge   There will be no further lifts of Newcomen railway bridge until the 2012 boating season.
1st to 5th Locks, Dublin   The locks will be closed from November 2011 to March 2012 for repairs to the gates.
5th and 6th Levels, Cabra   The canal will be closed until January 2012 for dredging and relining of the channel.
8th Lock, Reilly’s Bridge   The lock will be closed from November 2011 to March 2012 for repairs to the gates.
33rd to 34th Lock   The canal will be closed for essential maintenance works – dates to be confirmed.
Mosstown Harbour to 41st Lock   The canal will be closed for essential maintenance works – dates to be confirmed.

BARROW NAVIGATION

Bagenalstown Lock The lock will be closed for essential maintenance – dates to be confirmed.

Published in Inland Waterways

Tagged under

Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.