Displaying items by tag: Docklands Summer Festival

15th May 2015

World-Class Wakeboarding To Feature At Docklands Summer Festival 2015

#Docklands - World-class wakeboarding comes to Dublin's Grand Canal Dock this weekend (16-17 May) at the Waterways Ireland Docklands Summer Festival 2015.

Prepare to be wowed as the world's best wakeboarders showcase an array of grabs, spins and tricks, including European champion Carro Djupsjo from Sweden, British champion Meg Barker and Irish champion David O'Caoimh.

Organised by the Docklands Business Forum, the festival attracted over 60,000 visitors across the two days in 2014, with an even greater attendance expected this year.

The weekend will see an abundance of entertainment and competitions on both the water and the land. With everything from open air DJs, water sport come-try-it-sessions, a water golf challenge (with floating golfing green) to the tricky FM104 Corporate Raft Challenge, there will be plenty in store for a fantastic day.

The world-class wakeboarding demonstrations will feature a first ever for Ireland, with the public voting for the best performer through the unique DockFest15 voting app and big screen.

And there's lots on offer for the kids too including a 'rubber ducky' race, a children's arts centre at the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre, a family funfair, champion street performers and international food markets.

For more visit www.docklandssummerfestival.com.

Published in Inland Waterways

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14th May 2014

Dublin Summer Festival Welcomes First International Wakeboarding Championship

#MaritimeFestival – The Docklands Summer Festival, which this year is sponsored by Waterways Ireland, is a celebration of the Grand Canal Dock next weekend (17-18 May) and where entertainment and competitions are held on the water and on dry land.

The festival continues to entertain, from open air DJ's, Come Try it Sessions, Wake Boarding demonstrations to international food markets, the festival organisers promise an entertaining and fun filled weekend for all.

On the water activities include a wakeboarding competition, charity rubber ducky race, water sports, 'Come and Try It' sessions in kayaking and a canal barge gathering.

Additionally, there is plenty of activity for families to enjoy such as open air DJ's, an outdoor market, corporate golf challenge, street performers, balloon artists, face painters, fun fair attractions, & children's arts centre and theatre performances in the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre.

Come and see world-class wakeboarding demonstrations on Saturday or watch as world-class wakeboarders, from up to seven countries to take part in the first International Wakeboarding Championship at Grand Canal Dock.

The wakeboard extravaganza will be formed by members of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF). Irish teams will give wakeboarding demonstrations in the Grand Canal Dock on Saturday.

On the following Sunday, International riders will compete with the world's best water skiing skills and tricks over ramps while being towed behind a high performance motorboat.

East Wall Water Sports Centre will be on hand during the festival each day from 11am until 5pm to take you on the water to try out kayaking! Festival rates of €10 per adult and €5 per child. For more details of festival programme visit this link.

Published in Maritime Festivals

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12th April 2013

Entries Open For IUSRU Raft Race at Docklands Summer Fest

#InlandWaterways - The Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (IUSRU) has announced details of its Raft Race as part of the Waterways Ireland Docklands Summer Festival.

Entry is €25 per person with four persons per raft for the day of wackiness on the water at Grand Canal Basin on 19 May.

And for those who can't build their own raft in time, prebuilt rafts can be supplied by the organisers.

More details of the event can be had from the IUSRU at 087 975 8656 or [email protected].

The complete programme of events for the Docklands Summer Festival will be posted on the official website shortly.

Published in Inland Waterways

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24th June 2011

Summer Festival in the Heart of Dublin’s ‘Docklands’

The Docklands Summer Festival takes place this weekend in Dublin's 'Docklands' and it is to host the Waterways Ireland Inter-County Sailing Championship, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Other events taking place on the River Liffey and throughout the docklands range from a Dragon Boat display in the Grand Canal Dock (outer basin) and a Boat Show (inner basin) see map. In addition the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre will be open, noting all these activities and venues are to take place between 10am-6pm on Saturday.

On the following Sunday the Waterways Ireland Inter-County Sailing Championship Races are scheduled between 10am-4pm in the Grand Canal Dock's outer basin. City Canal Cruises will operate each day as well as an International Food Market, held in the Grand Canal Square, opposite the Grand Canal Theatre.

The pristinely kept M.V. Cill Airne, now a floating restaurant and bar will be open at her berth alongside North Wall Quay, close to the striking Samuel Beckett Bridge and The Convention Centre.

The historic veteran vessel built in Dublin at the Liffey Shipyard in the early 1960's was launched as a passenger tender to serve trans-Atlantic liners that called to Cobh. During her tender-duties she brought the rich and famous ashore to include Laurel & Hardy and US President Eisenhower.

The festival is sponsored by Waterways Ireland and the Docklands Business Forum. To see the full festival programme and a map of the docklands click HERE and www.ddda.ie

Published in Maritime Festivals

Galway Port & Harbour

Galway Bay is a large bay on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south. Galway city and port is located on the northeast side of the bay. The bay is about 50 kilometres (31 miles) long and from 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to 30 kilometres (19 miles) in breadth.

The Aran Islands are to the west across the entrance and there are numerous small islands within the bay.

Galway Port FAQs

How old is Galway port?

Galway was founded in the 13th century by the de Burgo family, and became an important seaport with sailing ships bearing wine imports and exports of fish, hides and wool.

How old is Galway bay?

Not as old as previously thought. Galway bay was once a series of lagoons, known as Loch Lurgan, plied by people in log canoes. Ancient tree stumps exposed by storms in 2010 have been dated back about 7,500 years.

What is the tonnage of the port?

It is about 660,000 tonnes as it is a tidal port.

Who is the harbourmaster of Galway port?

Capt Brian Sheridan, who succeeded his late father, Capt Frank Sheridan

When are the lock gates open?

The dock gates open approximately two hours before high water and close at high water subject to ship movements on each tide.

What's the biggest ship that can 'fit' in the harbour?

The typical ship sizes are in the region of 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes

Is renewable energy generating a lot of business for Galway port?

Turbines for about 14 wind projects have been imported in recent years, but the tonnage of these cargoes is light. A European industry report calculates that each turbine generates €10 million in locally generated revenue during construction and logistics/transport.

Is Galway a European cable location?

Yes, Iceland has selected Galway as European landing location for international telecommunications cables. Farice, a company wholly owned by the Icelandic Government, currently owns and operates two submarine cables linking Iceland to Northern Europe.

What's the update on the Galway port expansion plans?

It is "very much a live project", Harbourmaster Capt Sheridan says, and the Port of Galway board is "awaiting the outcome of a Bord Pleanála determination", he says.

Where does all the scrap go at Galway Port?

90% of the scrap steel is exported to Spain with the balance being shipped to Portugal. Since the pandemic, scrap steel is shipped to the Liverpool where it is either transhipped to larger ships bound for China.

Why is Galway Port exporting silage and the Irish farmers are crying out for it?

It might look like silage, but in fact, its bales domestic and municipal waste, exported to Denmark where the waste is incinerated, and the heat is used in district heating of homes and schools. It is called RDF or Refuse Derived Fuel and has been exported out of Galway since 2013.

When is the new ferry starting service from Galway?

The new ferry is arriving at Galway Bay onboard the cargo ship SVENJA. The vessel is currently on passage to Belem, Brazil before making her way across the Atlantic to Galway.

Is the Volvo Ocean Race coming back to Galway?

Two Volvo round world races have selected Galway for the prestigious yacht race route. Some 10,000 people welcomed the boats in during its first stopover in 2009, when a festival was marked by stunning weather. It was also selected for the race finish in 2012. The Volvo has changed its name and is now known as the "Ocean Race". Capt Sheridan says that once port expansion and the re-urbanisation of the docklands is complete, the port will welcome the "ocean race, Clipper race, Tall Ships race, Small Ships Regatta and maybe the America's Cup right into the city centre...".

When is Seafest coming back to Galway?

The pandemic was the reason why Seafest did not go ahead in Cork in 2020. Galway will welcome Seafest back after it calls to Waterford and Limerick, thus having been to all the Port cities.