As Afloat.ie previously highlighted, Waterways Ireland has announced a Heritage Grants programme in support of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan 2016-2020. 

A fund of €20,000 has been allocated to assist community based heritage projects which compliment or fulfil the delivery of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan along the Barrow Navigation, Erne System, Grand Canal, Lower Bann, Royal Canal, Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and the Ulster Canal (Upper Lough Erne to Clones).

Applications will be considered from communities seeking assistance for projects related to inland waterways' heritage including data collection & research, good heritage practice in managing sites, collections, objects, etc. And support fresh approaches and initiatives that link heritage to communities, promoting active engagement with heritage.

A range of criteria will be used to assess the applications for support including how well the project compliment or fulfils an action of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan 2016-2020, the extent to which proposed activities benefits local heritage and will benefit intended target group or area, the level of innovative and the capacity of applicants to carry out the proposed project. Some types of support will not be considered under the Waterways Ireland's Heritage Grant Scheme.

The Application Form and Guidelines should be reviewed for clear information on project eligibility,

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 22 April 2016.​ Only one grant per organisation is permitted. Grants up to €1,500 / £1,200 are available.

For view the Heritage Plan, seek more information and the application pack please visit www.waterwaysireland.org. As this is the first year of the Heritage Grant Scheme, assistance is being provided by phone or email for communities who would like help completing the application process. Contact Cormac McCarthy at [email protected], +353 (0)61-92214 for assistance.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland have announced a Heritage Grants programme in support of its Heritage Plan 2016-2020.

A total of €20,000 has been allocated to help further community-based heritage projects on inland waterways and navigations under the auspices of Waterways Ireland.

Projects must compliment or fulfil the delivery of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan, which is available to download HERE.

Application forms with detailed guidelines and eligibility criteria are available in PDF and Microsoft Word formats.

As this is the first year of the grant, contact Cormac McCarthy for any assistance at [email protected] or 061 922 149 or 087 278 7463. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 22 April.​

Waterways Ireland has been requested by An Garda to limit boat movements on the Royal and Grand Canals in the Kildare area throughout this week from 25 to 31 January, during the course of an on-going investigation, particularly from the Dublin county boundary to Sallins and Maynooth respectively on the two canals.

Waterways Ireland asks that owners and masters abide by this request, and plan boat movements accordingly.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland's latest tourism guide for Voyages and Visits was officially launched yesterday (Thursday 14 January) at Belfast's Holiday World Show.

The guide contains all the essential navigational and practical information required to help in planning a voyage or visit to the eight inland navigations on the island of Ireland under the remit of Waterways Ireland.

Voyages and Visits is free and available to order in print or download from the Waterways Ireland online shop HERE.

#InlandWaters - ​​​Waterways Ireland is producing a 'What's On' guide which features festivals and events occurring within an eight-mile corridor of the inland waterways under its remit.
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​​​Over 8,000 copies of the guide will be distributed free of charge to both local and national markets.

If you would like to be considered for inclusion in the 2016 edition, please complete the entry form ​(available HERE) and return it to:

Waterways Ireland,
Marketing & Communication,
2 Sligo Road,
Enniskillen,
Co Fermanagh BT74 7JY

Alternatively, you can fax to +44 (0)28 6634 6257 or email to [email protected].

Entries must be received no later than next Friday 22 January.

Waterways Ireland continues to advise caution while extensive flooding continues across all navigations. Advice has also been issued by ESB networks in relation to available clearance under overhead or sunken electricity cables.

ESB Networks is warning members of the public and emergency services to be vigilant when moving around flooded areas in boats and other flotation vehicles.

The electricity network is designed to have ample clearance for access and egress during normal conditions. However, when areas are flooded, this clearance level may be affected.

The electricity network is live and should not be approached. Electricity wires are dangerous even at close proximity and where clearance is compromised, you should not pass under them.

If you see any sagging electricity wires or wires submerged in water, please do not steer your boat over these. Do not use oars or anything else to lift or move electricity wires. Please report any poor clearance issues immediately to ESB Network at 1850 372 999.

ESB Networks is currently assessing the electricity network in flooded areas to assess damage and identify safety issues.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland's 2016 Sponsorship Programme is now open for anyone intending to run recreational waterway and waterside events in the coming new year.

Taking place annually for the past 10 years, the Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme has supported angling, canoeing, rowing, sailing and power sports competitions, learning experiences, community, historical and educational events for people with and without disabilities.

Sharon Lavin, head of marketing and communications with Waterways Ireland, said: "The Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme supported over 100 events in 2015 including angling, triathlons and many local community events along Ireland's inland waterways.

"Tourism and participation in recreation has a social and economic impact in waterfront communities and we want to see those communities continue to grow".

For an application pack, visit the Waterways Ireland website HERE, email Waterways Ireland at [email protected] or call +353 (0)71 96 50787. Terms and conditions apply.

The closing date the receipt of completed applications is Wednesday 16 December 2015 at 3pm.

#InlandWaters - ​Paul Moore from Tullamore took home the Over 18s award in the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan Art and Photographic Competition for his breathtaking picture of Bolands Lock house on the Grand Canal taken on a frosty winter morning.

Moore's photo was chosen earlier this month after reviewing a very strong group of entries, from which Under 18 award winner Christoph Wagner from Cologne was also selected for his picture of Clonmacnoise from the River Shannon.

Both winners received an iPad Air tablet. To view their winning photos, visit the Facebook gallery HERE.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland has made two new appointments to its senior staff.

John Boyle has been appointed as director of business development. Formerly with the NI Fire Service, Boyle is from Derrylin, Co Fermanagh and will be based at Waterways Ireland HQ in Enniskillen.

Boyle's new role, which he took up in mid September, encompasses strategy, property and communications.

Elsewhere, Sharon Lavin has been appointed head of marketing and communications with Waterways Ireland and will be based in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

From Roscommon, Lavin previously worked in a senior communications role with AIB Merchant Services.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland has completed the development of its Draft Heritage Plan 2016-2020 for Ireland's inland waterways and has opened it up for public consultation until 6 November 2015.

Developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, the plan encompasses the cultural, built and natural heritage of the inland waterway corridors and aims to "identify, conserve and promote the sustainable use of the unique waterways heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations."

It is focused on connecting people, communities and the wider population with their local waterway and fostering a sense of place

Heritage plan working groups gave generously of their time to develop this strategy, and it is hoped to deliver the plan in partnership with them.

Waterways Ireland says implementation of the plan will require involvement from across all sectors: Government, NGOs, businesses and local communities.

"Only through this co-ordinated approach can the waterways remain strong, vibrant places to live, each with its own local distinctiveness, offering a space for the public to stand and appreciate 'living heritage' in all its forms," said the body for Ireland's waterways.

To participate in the public consultation, first download the draft plan HERE.

Submissions are invited in writing either by post (to Draft Heritage Plan Consultation, Waterways Ireland Western Regional Office, Dock Road, Drewsborough, Scarriff, Co Clare V94 H7N1) or by email to [email protected] by 6 November 2015 and should include the name and address of the person/organisation represented.

Additionally, a series of public information sessions – as previously reported on Afloat.ie – will be held throughout this month and into October, and feedback given at these will be included with the formal submissions.

Waterways Ireland says all written submissions and comments received during the above time period will be considered and the draft plan will be amended accordingly.