Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System that the Upper Lough Erne Predator Challenger boat pike angling competition will take place this Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April.

The event will take place from the Share Centre Activity Centre on Upper Lough Erne, with around 50 boats taking part from 9am to 5pm each day.

Waterways users are reminded that the slipways at Corradillar and Derryadd will be busy with fishing boats launching for event.

Masters are requested to keep wash to a minimum when passing fishing vessels, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that in-river works for the construction of the Killaloe Bypass upper bridge superstructure are progressing as planned and will continue until October 2024.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the bridge is being constructed around 1km downstream of the current Killaloe–Ballina bridge.

A buoyed navigational channel continues to be provided for 100 metres either side of the in-river works.

The following plant and equipment will be operating on or overhead the navigation during the upper bridge works:

• 600t crawler crane set up on the east shore
• Stabilising crane barge (30m x 23m x 1.88m)
• 100t crawler crane
• Tugboat/pusher boat
• Dumb barge (23m x 9m) and mobile elevated work platforms
• Safety boat
• Landing pontoon and gangways

From next Tuesday 2 to Friday 19 April, the final steel girders will be lifted into position in the central spans of the bridge.

This is a heavy lift operation and deemed high-risk work, requiring calm waters for operation of mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP) on barges.

Masters of vessels are requested to proceed at slow speed (5 knots, no wash) with additional caution in the vicinity of the works, and to follow the instructions of the safety boat crew as there are hazards such as bridge piers, steel piles and mooring lines to navigate.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to these works.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels that the winter mooring period will end this Easter Sunday, 31 March, on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway.

Shannon Navigation Bye-law No. 17(3) will apply from 31 March, such that vessels should not berth in the same harbour for longer than the statutory period of five consecutive days nor more than a total of seven days in any one month.

Services were reconnected to Waterways Ireland harbours and jetties from Friday 15 March, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Battlebridge Lock and the harbour areas immediately upstream and downstream in Battlebridge, Co Leitrim will be closed from this Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 March due to planned diving inspections in the area.

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.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that all locks and bridges within the North Shannon region will be closed for one day on Thursday 21 March to facilitate mandatory staff training.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways apologies for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Ireland’s inland boating season officially reopens from March 17th, in line with other European countries, with all services and facilities once again accessible at the extensive range of moorings and harbours across Ireland. Over 15,000 registered boats avail of Ireland’s navigations for recreational use, with Waterways Ireland looking forward to welcoming their return to the water throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Waterways Ireland provides a range of services and facilities at over 250 amenity sites across the 1,100km of navigable waterways. These range from waterfront rural sites with parking and a mooring or quay wall to semi-urban and urban waterside sites with floating moorings electricity, toilets and showers. Local businesses, including cafes, restaurants, bike and water activity rentals, will also benefit from the new and returning boaters visiting their communities throughout the peak seasons.

Since 2002, Waterways Ireland has invested over €100m along the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway alone with significant investments across other navigations. This investment has created an international boating destination capable of attracting and accommodating thousands of boaters and visitors, both from home and abroad, to enjoy the Shannon and Shannon-Erne facilities and experience the wonders of Ireland’s Hidden Heartland.

In addition, boaters returning to the waters will enjoy several new and refurbished facilities opening this year that will enhance boaters’ waterways experience. This includes a refurbished and extended Connaught Harbour in Portumna and a new section of Blueway in Portumna, linking Connaught Harbour and Castle Harbour. Extension work on jetties on the Erne at Devenish Island will also be finished shortly, and a Service Block Refurbishment (Ballyconnell and Ballinamore) will be underway this spring.

175 locks and chambers, and 360 bridges are ready to operate for the season ahead across the Grand Canal, Royal Canal, Shannon, Shannon-Erne, Erne, Barrow, and Lower Bann navigations.

Commenting on the season reopening, Inspector of Navigation, Paddy Harkin said: “As the boating season reopens, we look forward to welcoming locals and visitors back to enjoy everything the waterways have to offer. Each year, we’re seeing boating increase in popularity, and it affords visitors a fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in nature in a way they might not have experienced before. At Waterways Ireland, we ask boaters to please remember to be safe when out on the water and to always make sure to have boat safety equipment such as life jackets and fire extinguishers on board. We would like to wish everyone an enjoyable and safe boating experience in 2024.”

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Erne System in Northern Ireland that the St Patrick’s Illuminated Flotilla will take place in Enniskillen this Saturday evening 16 March.

The event runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, starting at the Killyhevlin Hotel and passsing through Enniskillen to the Round ‘O’.

There will be around 40 vessels taking part in the event. The Enniskillen Castle/Museums jetty will be closed for the event, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Water-based activities will also take place at the Lakeland Forum area in Broadmeadow on St Patrick’s Day (Sunday 17 March).

Boat trips, canoeing, water bikes and other activities will be taking place in the area. Masters of vessels should keep their wash to a minimum when passing the area of the activities.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Lower Bann navigation in Northern Ireland that the installation of new lock gates at Movanagher Lock has been completed as of Wednesday 13 March and the navigation is now reopened.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises arrangements have been made for Iarnród Éireann to open the lifting bridge at Newcomen Bridge on the Royal Canal in Dublin on the following dates and times, if there is demand:

• Sunday 5 May, 9am-1pm (Low water 16:00)
• Saturday 25 May, 9am-1pm (Low water 06:47)
• Tuesday 18 June, 11am-1pm (Low water 15:38)
• Tuesday 16 July, 11am-1pm (Low water 13:58)
• Friday 16 August, 11am-1pm (Low water 15:26)
• Friday 27 September, 11am-1pm (Low water 14:26)

Waterways Ireland’s Eastern Regional Office requires two weeks’ notice from boaters for use of these lifts (Tel: +353 1 868 0148 or [email protected]). Should there not be a demand (minimum two boats) for a particular date, Iarnród Éireann will be notified that the scheduled lift is cancelled.

A maximum number of boats passing will be implemented to keep to the times given above for the planned lifts (16 for the Saturday/Sunday lifts and eight for the weekday lifts). Priority will be given on a first come, first served basis.

On day of lift, boaters and passengers must follow guidance from Waterways Ireland staff about sequence of passage under the bridge and through Lock 1, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that the lifting bridge at Tarmonbarry in Co Roscommon will remain closed until at least Thursday 18 April to facilitate essential maintenance works.

Works at Tarmonbarry were previously extended twice since beginning in early February, and a diversion route is available via the Camlin River.

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.

This story was updated on Wednesday 3 April to include the latest information.