Waterways Ireland, in partnership with four local authorities, has launched a new winter ‘Make a Connection’ campaign to encourage people to ‘go green and blue’ this festive season and enjoy connecting with the outdoor spaces of the Royal Canal Greenway during the most wonderful time of the year, in a bid to reduce stress and boost overall wellbeing in the winter months.

The campaign has been launched by the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways in partnership with Westmeath County Council, Kildare County Council, Longford County Council and Meath County Council.

A representative from Waterways Ireland said: “Since launching, the Royal Canal Greenway has played an important role in providing a place for people to re-energise and destress.

“We know that from research there is a positive association between encountering green spaces, wildlife, nature, bodies of water such as canals and rivers, and mental wellbeing.

“The 130km canal route has an abundance of trees, plants and wildlife which means it's capacity to improve mental wellbeing is likely to be due to the multiple benefits associated with both green and blue spaces, and indeed the social, community connection with other

“We are encouraging as many people to visit the Royal Canal Greenway as possible this winter in a bid to access this free amazing space, which can play such a vital role in our wellbeing.”

Discover winter’s natural beauty

The Royal Canal Greenway travels from cosmopolitan Maynooth, through Enfield and Mullingar, to charming Cloondara in Longford. A mostly flat trail, the Royal Canal Greenway is steeped in history and was once the domain of placid barge horses, which today has become the realm of walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages.

Indeed, earlier this year it was named European Cycle Route of the Year 2022 by leading Dutch walking and cycling fair Fiets en Wandelbeurs, as previously reported by Afloat.ie.

Many people find that packing a lunch and a ramble along the flat path, passing through picturesque waterside villages is one way to enjoy the Royal Canal Greenway.

It is also home to many welcoming cafes and coffee boxes to stop at for both food and drink, often with outside seating, as well as picnic spots, playgrounds and attractions so you can support local businesses whilst socialising with friends and family.

Enjoy active experiences

While the winter months can make it more difficult to get outside, there are still a wide variety of outdoor activities that can get you moving on the Royal Canal Greenway, for all ages, while staying active.

There are also a number of fitness events scheduled to take place on or near the Royal Canal Greenway in the coming weeks and in the New Year including weekly park runs in the scenic village of Kilcock and in Mullingar. Westmeath will also host the annual Mullingar Half Marathon on St Patrick’s Day.

Stay and unwind

The Royal Canal Greenway is also home to many hotels, guest houses and B&Bs who enjoy the views of both the green and blue spaces. The location of these allows enjoyments of the path at a pace that suits all age-groups and abilities.

As the trail passes through four counties all the way from Ireland’s Ancient East to Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, there are plenty of places to stay overnight at and relax. Many are offering special winter discounts so you can enjoy a festive staycation at an affordable price.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Grand Canal Greenway that the greenway section from Digby Bridge to Sallins in Co Kildare will remain closed until the end of January 2023 for continued works on restoring the Four Pots overflow structure.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Four Pots is a unique structure located alongside the Grand Canal towpath between the Leinster Aqueduct and Digby Bridge.

Its four circular channels of varying depth helped reduce the water pressure and volume rate before discharge from the canal back to the River Liffey through a series of channels, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon-Erne Waterway that all 16 locks on the inland waterway will be out of service from Friday 23 December to Monday 2 January inclusive.

No lock passage by boat will be possible during this period. Normal service will resume at 9am on Tuesday 3 January.

The service blocks at Aghalane and Haughton’s Shore are closed until Wednesday 15 March. Service blocks at Ballyconnell, Ballinamore, Keshcarrigan and Leitrim shall remain open.

All associated land-based and water-based Blueway trails shall remain open.

Further information is available during normal business hours from Waterways Ireland’s Carrick-on-Shannon office at +44 (0)71 965 0562.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and users of the Lower Bann that water levels between Carnroe Weir and the The Cutts are currently low due to a technical issue at The Cutts sluice gates, south of Coleraine in Northern Ireland.

Masters of vessels are advised to restrict movements along this section of the Lower Bann navigation until further notice, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and water users that additional caution should be taken when using its facilities during the current hard frost weather conditions.

Masters of vessels and water users should bear in mind that the hard frost will lead to ice and slippery conditions on walkways, jetties, pontoons, slipways, service blocks and other areas on the inland waterways.

Masters of vessels should also ensure that their vessels are checked regularly as the hard frost can lead to burst pipes onboard the vessel.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal in northeast Kildare that the towpath from Sallins to Naas Golf Club is closed to pedestrian and cycle traffic as of Monday 5 December and will not reopen until 11 September 2023.

This is to facilitate development for Phase 1 of the Grand Canal Greenway, construction works on which commenced in October, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds. Afloat.ie has more on the first phase of works HERE.

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.