Boating enthusiasts converged on Shannon Harbour on Saturday (2 March) to view the 16 boats being auctioned by Waterways Ireland after their removal from the inland waterways.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, offers may be submitted until noon on Friday 15 March for each of the vessels which come in variable size, style and condition.

According to RTÉ News, previous offers have ranged from as low as €50 to as much as €8,000.

And with the growth in popularity of boat restoration projects, these unloved vessels may fetch higher prices than expected.

RTÉ News has more on the story HERE.

Waterways Ireland proposes to dispose, by public tender, of a number of vessels removed from the inland waterways under its purview.

Sixteen vessels are presently stored by Waterways Ireland at Shannon Harbour, Co Offaly on the Grand Canal. All vessels may be inspected (externally only) between 11am and 3pm next Saturday 2 March.

All vessels are sold as seen, intended as obsolete items. Lots will be sold as individual items only, to the highest acceptable tender.

The vessel catalogue and tender submission form are available from the Waterways Ireland website.

Sealed tenders should reach the Assistant Inspector of Navigation at the Inspectorate office, Waterways Ireland, Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly (Tel 057 932 5019) no later than noon on Friday 15 March. Please note only postal submissions will be accepted.

Only successful tenders will be notified by email from the details supplied.

A condition of sale is that vessels be removed from Waterways Ireland property once purchased.

Waterways Ireland will provide a crane to remove vessels from the impound lot. A small sum will be added to each tender to facilitate the crane hire (€100-€150). Bidders must provide their own suitable transport/trailer to remove vessels from the pound.

Waterways Ireland intends to dispose, by public tender, of a number of vessels removed from the Grand Canal at Shannon Harbour, Tullamore, Barrow Navigation, Killaloe Canal and Shannon Bridge.

Twelve vessels are presently stored on the South Bank of the Grand Canal adjacent to the Transit Shed in Shannon Harbour. One vessel is stored in Fenniscourt on the Barrow Navigation and other vessels are stored in Ballyleague and Munster Harbour, Portumna.

All vessels may be inspected (externally only) by local arrangement. Tender and relevant documentation is available from the Assistant Inspector of Navigation at +353 87 286 5726 or [email protected]. Alternatively you can download the tender documentation from the Waterways Ireland website.

Sealed tenders should reach the Assistant Inspector of Navigation at the above address not later than noon on Monday 18 March.

A condition of sale is that vessels be removed from the canal property once purchased. Removal details will be notified to successful purchasers once transactions are finalised.