Waterways Ireland advises all users of the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation of a number of events scheduled to take place in the coming days and weeks on these inland waterways.

The Grand Canal will see the Shannon Harbour Canal Boat Rally this weekend from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 June, hosted by the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI). Vessels attending are required to apply for a free visitors permit before entering the canal network.

On the Barrow Navigation, ad angling competition will take place in the St Mullins area from Saturday 25 to Monday 27 June. Masters of vessels are requested to proceed at slow speed and note any directions issued in the vicinity.

On the Royal Canal, a canoe polo event will be taking place in the Kilcock Harbour area this Sunday 26 June. Waterways Ireland requests that the polo pitch areas and harbour be kept clear of all vessels at this time to facilitate the events, and that masters of vessels should comply with instructions from marshals. 

And next month, Mullingar Harbour will host the IWAI’s Float to the Fleadh from Sunday 31 July to Sunday 7 August. As with the Shannon Harbour rally, vessels attending are required to apply for a free visitors permit before entering the canal network.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that low water levels exist in all areas of the waterway.

Water levels are currently at or below ordinary summer levels, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways warns.

All masters are requested to observe the 5km speed limits to prevent squat in shallower areas.

Masters of vessels, particularly those with deep drafts, are also advised to navigate with additional caution and to remain within the navigation at all times.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that the 24th level of the Barrow Line will be temporarily closed to navigation for essential maintenance and repairs from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 June.

Passage from Rathangan to the 24th Lock and through McCartney’s Lock in Monasterevin will not be possible during this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Royal Canal of another canoe polo event in Mullingar Harbour this Saturday 18 June.

The event will take place from 7am to 6.30pm and the harbour should be kept clear of any moored vessels during this time.

Masters of craft are requested to proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash and note any directions issued by the stewards, adds the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Waterways Ireland advises all users of the Barrow Navigation that a Dragon Boat regatta is taking place at Carlow Town Park in Graiguecullen today, Sunday 12 June.

The Barrow Dragon Boat Regatta was scheduled to get under way at 8am and will continue until 6.30pm this afternoon.

Masters of vessels are requested to proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash and note any directions issued by the stewards.

This summer, Waterways Ireland has partnered with Leave No Trace Ireland to bring the ‘Love This Place’ message to Ireland’s inland waterways.

The Love This Place campaign is a nationwide effort being run by Leave No Trace Ireland in conjunction with nine partner organisations and 80 supporting organisations from the sports, tourism and outdoor activities sectors, sharing the message of responsible outdoor recreation.

Across the island of Ireland there are over 1,000 km of inland navigable waterways for everyone to enjoy — from a walk under the leafy canopies of the River Barrow towpath, to a cycle along the banks of the Grand Canal.

Waterways Ireland says it is committed to the Leave No Trace principles which are integral to its work, including education and training programmes.

“By working together, we can all make a difference and reduce the pressure points on our environment and outdoor spaces from recreation and leisure activities,” it says.

The ‘Love This Place’ initiative calls on the public to help:

• prevent littering and its impact on urban, rural, and marine environments
• protect the many different habitats that make up our wonderful natural environment
• prevent the destruction caused by wildfires
• by being responsible for proper management of our dogs when outdoors
• by avoiding noise pollution and its impacts

As you get out and about this summer, Waterways Ireland have three tips to help everyone Love This Place:

Disinfect: We can all be habitat heroes and play our part to protect our habitats by following the Check - Clean - Dry - Disinfect method. This way, we make sure that we prevent the spread of invasive species between waterways and keep our waters healthy.

Be Considerate of Others: Whether it’s keeping the dog on a lead, cleaning up after them, keeping our music to ourselves or parking so as not to block access roads or driveways, there are many ways we can share our outdoor spaces and recreational areas responsibly.

Dispose of Litter and Waste Properly: Whatever we bring outdoors with us, be prepared to bring it home again. Rubbish or leftover food impacts on the environment, animals, waterways, and other visitors. Whatever your plans for the outdoors, on land or on the water, bring a bag to clean up and Leave No Trace.

A week of events to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Heritage Boat Association is already under way at Ballinasloe Harbour.

All welcome to come view the barges, some of which date back to back to 1847, and explore the past of Ireland’s inland waterways with the HBA and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland’s (IWAI) River Suck branch along with Waterways Ireland and Galway County Council.

Highlights include a heritage tour of Ballinasloe guide by local historian Sean Tully from 7pm this Wednesday 1 June. The 90-minute walking tour covers the history of the Grand Canal and River Suck, and meets at the Heron Sculpture in the harbour at 7pm sharp.

Then Saturday 4 June brings Cruinniú, a family friendly event from 1pm-5pm showcasing Ireland’s cultural heritage with arts and crafts, butter making, a flea circus and a talk on the famous Galway Hooker sailing boats.

Take a look at the historic Bolinder engine, the power plant that replaced horses on the Grand Canal barge fleet, and enjoy music in the harbour all afternoon with the Ballinasloe Town band and Bobby Kilkenny & Friends.

Later on the day, join Dr Christy Cunniffe in the marquee at 5.30pm for a historic talk on the Ballinasloe Grand Canal branch from Fannings lock to Ballinasloe, and at 6.30pm Conor Nolan will give a talk about the Heritage Boat Association.

For more, download the full event brochure HERE.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that a diving operation and underwater survey will take place in the vicinity of Ballymacegan Island and Tiranascragh from this Wednesday 1 to Sunday 12 June.

These locations are approximately 8km upstream of Portumna Bridge on the inland waterway.

Safety vessels will be supporting the diving operation and temporary markers will be deployed to mark the dive area.

Masters of vessels are requested to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of Ballymacegan Island and Tiranascragh during these scheduled works.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that an Inland Fisheries Ireland fish stock survey will take place on Lough Ree from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 25 June.

Survey nets will be set in up to 100 locations on Lough Ree depending on weather and other factors. All nets will be marked with orange buoys and identified with “IFI Survey” markings.

IFI vessels will be operating by day and night on the inland waterway during the survey.

Masters of vessels are requested to maintain a sharp lookout while underway on Lough Ree and to give all marked buoys a wide berth.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that the Heritage Boat Association will be celebrating its 21st anniversary with a rally in Ballinasloe Harbour from Saturday 28 May to Monday 6 June.

Masters of vessels are advised that up to 30 heritage vessels will be moored in Ballinasloe during the 10-day rally. For more see the Facebook event page HERE.