Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and waterway users on the Shannon Navigation that the Head of the Shannon rowing event will take place in Carrick-on-Shannon this Saturday 3 December.

The event will take place downstream of Carrick bridge for a distance of 3.5km. The rowing starts at navigation maker known locally as White Woman/White Lady downstream of Carrick-on-Shannon and will proceed back to the Marina just downstream of the bridge.

The rowing events will take place between 10am and 4pm. Masters of vessels are requested to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the rowing events during these times.

This event is the second Head of the Shannon of 2022, as last year’s event was postponed until February. Details for competing rowers can be found HERE.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Lower Bann navigation that infrastructure maintenance works at Carnroe Lock, south of Coleraine in Northern Ireland, are under way as of Thursday 1 December and are expected to continue until March 2023.

These works will necessitate the closure of the lock and therefore navigation through Carnroe Lock will not be possible during this period, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Royal Canal in West Dublin that the towpath between Pakenham Bridge and Collins Bridge, north and southwest of Westmanstown Golf Club respectively, will be closed to public use from this Friday 2 December until Wednesday 21 December in order to facilitate bank maintenance works in the area.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Royal Canal in Dublin’s north inner city of works on Lock 4 between Mountjoy and Whitworth Road from Tuesday 29 November.

Over the next six weeks these works will comprise replacement of the middle lock gates in this double-chamber lock and associated works.

No navigation passage will be possible in the canal at this time, but the adjacent towpaths will remain open for pedestrians and other users, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Grand Canal Greenway that the section from Digby Bridge to Sallins in Co Kildare will be closed from Monday 28 November to Tuesday 20 December in order to facilitate the restoration of the Four Pots overflow structure.

The Four Pots is a unique overflow structure located alongside the Grand Canal towpath between the Leinster Aqueduct and Digby Bridge, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

No longer in use, this ingenious overflow system has four circular channels of varying depth that helped reduce the water pressure and volume rate before discharge from the canal back to the River Liffey through a series of channels.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels in Monasterevin’s Bell Harbour and all masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal’s Barrow Line that water levels in the canal will be reduced by approximately 600mm between the 24th Lock at Ballykelly and the 25th Lock in Monasterevin for essential bank repair works.

Reduction of levels will commence at 9am on Monday 28th November and will last until Friday 2 December, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that the Fours Head of The River Rowing Race, organised by Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, will take place on Saturday 19 November.

The race will start at Inishkeen (downstream of Bellanaleck) at 9am and finish at Enniskillen Royal Boat Club in Northern Ireland at 4pm.

All masters of vessels are asked to ensure that the course is kept clear during racing and adhere to all marshals’ and organisers’ requests throughout the race day.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Shannon Navigation that the upgrade works on the waiting jetties upstream and downstream of Portumna Bridge will be carried out from Thursday 17 November to Friday 2 December.

These jetties will remain open except for the area where works are ongoing. The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it regrets any inconvenience that this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon-Erne Waterway that tree trimming and hedge cutting will be carried out at various locations along the waterway during the winter period from now until February 2023.

During this operation, floating pontoons will be located on the water with mechanical plant operating. Mechanical plant will also be in operation along the banks of the waterway.

Masters will be advised by Waterways Ireland staff when making a passage, and the cooperation of masters is requested at this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland have shared their enthusiasm at once again being a part of Science Week, which runs this year from Sunday 13 to Sunday 20 November.

The Learning Zone website will host ‘Explore Ireland’s Waterways’, an online workshop which takes you on a virtual visit of exploration to your local canal, river or lake.

This workshop is full of fun and interesting activities covering a range of topics ideal for either classroom based or outdoor learning, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

What is biodiversity? Do you know what the words species, habitat of ecosystem mean? Check out the Waterways Wildlife Fact File to find out more about the diverse variety of wildlife found within our waterways.

Our waterways are a haven of biodiversity. It’s very important that we all respect these environments while we enjoy the benefits they offer. The Waterways Hero!! activity highlights the importance of being a responsible waterway user.

Make you own Waterway Eco-Dial to bring it on a nature walk or watch the Explore Ireland’s Waterways video to identify some of the plants & animals living along your local waterway

You can also make the most of the last of the autumn leaves with the Autumn on the Waterways tree-creation activity.

Explore these and much more in the Waterways Ireland Learning Zone during Science Week 2022 this week.