Waterways Ireland has appointed Linda Megahey as finance and personnel director to strengthen corporate leadership as the organisation primes itself for an ambitious growth path in the future.

The move has been described as the latest in a series of “strategic appointments” as the cross-border authority for Ireland’s inland waterways prepares to publish its 10-year strategy in the coming months.

Linda has over 25 years’ experience in commercial and financial management working across a number of sectors and latterly in the food and agri sector with Devenish Nutrition and Bawnbua Foods.

She is a professional chartered accountant with membership of ACCA and is currently a board member and treasurer of Aware Northern Ireland.

Commenting on Megahey’s appointment, Waterways Ireland chief executive John McDonagh said: “Linda brings a wealth of corporate and commercial experience to the organisation and she is ideally placed to support our ambitions for growth.

“Over the next 10 years we will pursue a clearly defined strategy which will have many opportunities and a share of challenges. I’m confident that Linda has the skills and expertise required to enable Waterways Ireland to thrive both now and into the future.”

Megahey said: “I’m delighted to be appointed finance and personnel director of Waterways Ireland and look forward to working with my new colleagues and other stakeholders in contributing further to the future success and growth of Waterways Ireland.”

Waterways Ireland advises inland waterways users that essential maintenance works are taking place on the rail bridge over the Grand Canal west of Tullamore until further notice. The maximum safe air draft for passing vessels is 3.2m (10.4ft).

The Irish Times reports that Waterways Ireland has confirmed plans to sell off the heritage graving docks at Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock.

The inland waterways authority says it is “currently considering a range of options” regarding the sale of the site, which is one of the last undeveloped land parcels of the Docklands Strategic Development Zone.

Dating from the 1790s, the dry docks have most recently hosted the base of operations for Viking Splash Tours — purchased last month by a Liverpool firm after facing liquidation amid continued pandemic restrictions — as well as the historic former Aran Islands ferry Naomh Éanna.

Four years ago, suggestions that Waterways Ireland had been planning to sell what’s regarded as a key piece of the canal basin’s Georgian architecture prompted a local activist group to appeal to the then Heritage Minister to intervene.

And campaigners have again expressed their dismay, claiming that Waterways Ireland has “reneged on previous assurances” that the docks would be restored for the benefit of the local community.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Waterways Ireland advises that emergency repair works to the lock gates at Tarmonbarry on the Shannon Navigation will take place from Monday 8 March to Wednesday 28 April.

Passage through Tarmonbarry Lock in Co Roscommon will not be possible during this seven-week-plus period as the inland waterway here will be closed.

An alternative route via the Camlin River (subject to Government COVID-19 restrictions) will be available during the works.

Masters of vessels and inland are advised to check their airdraft prior to undertaking the passage on the Camlin River due to the low bridge on the N5 road.

Waterways Ireland advises of essential diving and engineering works on the Shannon Headrace Canal between Ardnacrusha Power Station and Parteen Weir.

The works — which were set to commence yesterday, Monday 15 February — are being carried out on a section of the embankment between Clonlara and Blackwater Bridges until Monday 15 March.

The Headrace Canal will remain open during these works and buoys/markers will be placed in the canal to highlight the works area.

Inland waterways users are asked to maintain due attention when traversing this section of the Shannon and to maintain their distance from the works.

Waterways Ireland invites expressions of interest to operate a watersport activity business at the Enniskillen Blueway Water Activity Zone in the Co Fermanagh town.

Forms and information packs are available from [email protected] and the closing date for submissions is Friday 26 February at 2pm GMT.

Waterways Ireland has appointed John McDonagh as its new chief executive officer following a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council on Wednesday 3 February.

McDonagh will take up a four-year appointment, having previously acted as the interim CEO of Waterways Ireland since April 2019.

Commenting on his appointment and his future vision for the organisation, McDonagh said: “I am pleased to be given the opportunity to lead Waterways Ireland and to continue the journey towards a pathway to growth.

“It is important we keep looking forward and prepare for the future. I envision Waterways Ireland creating inspirational inland navigations through conservation and sustainable development for the benefit of all.

“I am enthusiastic about future developmental opportunities to build upon our natural and built assets to grow the social, economic and environmental well-being value of our navigation waterways in both Northern Ireland and Ireland.”

Waterways Ireland says that since he joined the organisation, McDonagh has concentrated on addressing the key strategic challenges of leadership and organisational capacity gaps; strengthening organisational governance, risk and controls; and focusing on the development of a strategic long-term plan.

He is positioning Waterways Ireland to be a dynamic, purposeful organisation for all users and stakeholders, the organisation says.

Prior to his appointment in Waterways Ireland, John McDonagh spent much of his career in senior roles such as retail director and country manager in Shell Ireland. More recently, he was sales and marketing director with Liberty Insurance where he was responsible for an award-winning brand launch in Ireland. Throughout his long career, he has also consulted across multiple sectors.

McDonagh is an English and History graduate from UCD and he holds a Master’s in Finance. He lives in Sligo and commutes to Waterways Ireland HQ in Enniskillen.

Waterways Ireland notifies towpath users that sections of the towpath on the Lough Owel feeder of the Royal Canal from Mullingar Harbour to Fish Farm at Cullion will be closed periodically from today, Monday 8 February, until Friday 19 February for essential maintenance works.

Waterways Ireland advises that Portora Lock on the Erne System near Enniskillen will be closed to boat traffic on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 January to accommodate essential maintenance works to the lock gates.

Masters of vessels on this inland waterway are asked to heed all instructions from safety personnel who will be in the area.

Waterways Ireland advises towpath users that site investigation works have commenced on the Royal Canal towpath between Phibsborough and Ashtown and will continue until March 2021.

Dublin City Council have classified these as part of critical infrastructure works so they will also continue over the current period of increased Covid-19 restrictions.

The towpath will remain open but users should exercise due care and caution when passing any vehicles or plant machinery along the path.