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A Sigma 33 One Design keelboat racing on Dublin Bay Photo: AfloatA Sigma 33 One Design keelboat racing on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

Displaying items by tag: inland waterways

Inland waterways boat owners are advised that the public mooring jetty at Lustymore Island on Lower Lough Erne will be closed to the public for construction works for approximately three weeks from Monday 17th May 2010. For further details please contact the Lough Erne Warden on +44 (0)28 6632 2836

 

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland has released three new publications which will provide much assistance to waterway and waterside visitors to Ireland’s Inland Waterways throughout the year.


The Waterways Ireland What’s On Guide, promotes a series of events happening alongside as well as on the waterways throughout the year. With 128 entries from fun fairs to Come and Try it Events, historical events and boat rallies, there is a huge range of activity to pick from. Waterways Ireland through the Sponsorship Programme has supported a significant proportion of the community and local activity taking place as well as some of the high profile events such as the Waterways Ireland European TriAthlone 3-4 July, Waterways Ireland Riverfest 3-4 July and Waterways Ireland Loughfest 26-27 June.


Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications for Waterways Ireland said ‘A Taste of the Waterways guide to hand, will ensure you find all the best pubs and restaurants along the waterways. You don’t have to set foot in a boat to enjoy the hospitality along our waterways, but it would be a pity to miss out’. The guide , A Taste of the Waterways, written jointly by Georgina Campbell and boating expert W. M. Nixon and published in association with Waterways Ireland. This independently assessed 68-page guide leads visitors along all of our navigable waterways, and to nearly 100 great hostelries and restaurants sprinkled from Limerick up the mighty Shannon via Lough Derg, Lough Ree and the Shannon-Erne Waterway, to Lough Erne; and from Dublin out west along the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal and southwards to the beautiful River Barrow.


The Waterways Ireland Publications Catalogue containing 30 books and DVDs available to order from Waterways Ireland. The range includes both free and pay-for publications with broad appeal to a wide variety of recreational users of the inland navigations. This new edition includes a feature on Waterways Ireland's new on-line ordering facility.


All three publications are free and available from Tourist Information Centres and Visitor Attractions along the waterways, and is also distributed to over 60 hotels. It is also downloadable from www.waterwaysireland.org.

 

Published in Inland Waterways
Tagged under
Waterways Ireland have reminded users of the Grand Canal that as part of ongoing developments at Shannon Harbour, the provisions of S.I No. 24/1988: Canals Act, 1986 Bye-law (25, 1 (d)) will be applied on all hard edged moorings in the harbour area with effect from 08 May 2010.  This area is deemed to be between 35th Lock and Griffith Bridge. 

This will ensure that there is a clear channel for navigation at all times and will make for easy access to berthage by visiting vessels wishing to avail of the refurbished facilitates.

Vessels should only moor directly onto quay walls and not double or triple berth.  Alternative berthing is available east of Griffith Bridge.

Vessels should only be moored singly on either side of the canal to permit the safe passage of craft.  Bye-law (25, 1 (b) states that sufficient space must remain so that two vessels can pass at the same time.  Berthage is also available on the north bank between 35th and 36th Lock.

Vessels in contravention of this bye-law will be moved off the area as space becomes available. Vessels without a valid permit will also be moved. 



Published in Inland Waterways
Minister for Natural Resources Conor Lenihan today announced details of five of the nominees to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland. The Minister confirmed that he has asked these nominees to work with the CEO designate of Inland Fisheries Ireland to advance the preparations for the changeover to the new structures which are expected to be in place by 1 July.
 
“I am hopeful that the nominees to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland will assist in ensuring a smooth transition to the new organisation and that this will enable Inland Fisheries Ireland to quickly get into its stride once it is established”, said Minister Lenihan.
 
The nominees are:
 
Mr. Brendan O’Mahony – Chair
Ms. Lily Collinson
Mr. Andrew Duncan
Mr. Lal Faherty
Dr. Frances E. Lucy
 
Reflecting on the dedication and commitment shown by the outgoing members of the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards, the Minister said, “One must not forget the important work done by the existing boards over the past 30 years. There is no question as to the commitment and dedication which has been shown by the members of those boards during their tenure and they should be proud of the role they have played in protecting and developing this valuable resource of the State”.
 
In recognition of the need for and value of stakeholder participation in the sector, the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009 provides for the establishment of a national inland fisheries forum which will facilitate those who wish to make a contribution to the future development of the resource. The Minister added “I hope that the expertise of former board members will be captured in the changeover to the new structures and that they will continue to play an important role in this area through involvement in the national inland fisheries forum”.
     
Published in Inland Waterways

The date of the Inland Waterways Association Ireland (IWAI) AGM has been changed due to circumstances beyond control. IWAI Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, 30th April, 2010 at 8pm in Lough Ree Yacht Club, Athlone Co. Westmeath.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises Masters and Owners of reduced draft below weir level at moorings in Limerick as follows;

Custom House Quay

0.5m at inside moorings

1.3m at outside moorings

Arthur Quay Moorings

1.2m

 

Published in Inland Waterways

The Launch of the Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival takes place yesterday Friday 23 April 2010 in advance of the competition which runs from Sunday 25 April to Friday 30 April 2010. This year’s Classic Fishing Festival is the 35th anniversary event, cumulatively hosting over 12,250 anglers. Though it must be said most of them have come year after year, in total they have spent over £17,500,000 in the Lakeland County since 1976.

The 2010 event welcomes competitors at a reception taking place on Sunday 25 April, with the competition begins on Monday 26 April and the Festival closes with a Gala Farewell and Prize Presentation on Friday 30th April.

The Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival is the main event of the Fermanagh match fishing season and attracts up to 250 anglers from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, Austria and even further afield.

Over the five days, anglers will compete for prizes worth more than £20,000, with section and daily prizes on offer along with aggregate prizes. The “Classic Competition” takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the “King of the Erne”, organised by the local Erne Anglers Angling Club, completing the Festival on Tuesday and Thursday.

Among the 250 eager anglers lining up at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum on Monday morning will be last year’s winner, Andrew Chapman from Ballybay, Co Monaghan. He is to be joined by twelve other previous winners, including Kevin Ashurst, who won the Classic in 1978.

Organised by Fermanagh District Council, with assistance from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Festival’s major sponsor for the last seven years has been Waterways Ireland, the navigation authority on the inland waterways of which Lough Erne is one.

Martin Dennany Director of Marketing & Communications Waterways Ireland said’ The Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival is a major joint activity which Waterways Ireland supports in partnership with Fermanagh District Council.

Speaking at the Press Launch for the 2010 Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival, Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Councillor Robert Irvine stated: “The Classic, now running for thirty five years, is one of our longest established events here in Fermanagh and we are delighted to once again welcome the many anglers who make an annual pilgrimage to our Lakeland County”.

Anglers can apply before the event by contacting Fermanagh District Council, Town Hall, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, BT74 7BA or by calling +44 (0)28 6632 5050.

Published in Angling

If you’ve never spent a few days lazing around our wonderful inland waterways you just don’t know what you’re missing. It’s a magical world of pottering along, enjoying the wildlife and exploring the unfolding countryside - just sooo relaxing… especially when you have Georgina Campbell’s A Taste of the Waterways guide to hand, to ensure you find all the best pubs and restaurants along the way. You don’t have to set foot in a boat to enjoy the hospitality along our waterways, but it would be a pity to miss out – especially when you have the guidance of a plethora of Waterways Ireland publications and this little gem, written jointly by Georgina Campbell and boating expert W. M. Nixon (sailing Correspondent with the Irish Independent and Contributing Editor of Ireland Afloat magazine).

Published in association with Waterways Ireland, the independently assessed 68-page guide leads visitors along all of our navigable waterways, and to nearly 100 great hostelries and restaurants sprinkled from Limerick up the mighty Shannon via Lough Derg, Lough Ree and the Shannon-Erne Waterway, to Lough Erne; and from Dublin out west along the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal – which also links southwards to the beautiful River Barrow. It’s a world apart and, using this guide and other Waterways Ireland publications such as the ‘What’s On’ guide, you’ll find there’s something for everyone, of all ages.

A Taste of the Waterways is available without charge from Tourist Information Centres and Visitor Attractions along the waterways, and is also distributed to over 60 hotels. To obtain this free publication online, visit www.ireland-guide.com or www.waterwaysireland.org

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland has hosted the first meeting of the working committee involved in planning the celebrations to mark the reopening of the Royal Canal on the inland waterways. The reopening is intended to take place in September 2010 and will be preceded by a series of events marking the new life given to this highly significant and historic public amenity. 145.6km long, the Royal Canal stretches from Dublin to the Shannon passing through Dublin, Fingal, Kildare, Longford, Meath, and Westmeath. 1.2 million people live within this catchment making the Royal Canal one of the largest public amenities on the island. The councils representing this catchment are all participating in the working committee.

The reopening of the Royal Canal marks 36 years of campaigning by the Royal Canal Amenity Group who in conjunction with the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and the Heritage Boat Association will be participating in the working committee. There will be a formal permanent recognition of the years of work the past and present members have contributed to saving the canal.

The sporting organisations along the Royal Canal including the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland and the Kilcock Canoe Polo Club are also committed to making the Royal Canal Reopening Celebrations participatory for people living along its banks.

Waterways Ireland Director of Marketing & Communications Martin Dennany said ‘The Reopening of the Royal Canal is the beginning of a new era for the Royal Canal as a navigable waterway and an accessible public amenity. Waterways Ireland is delighted to work in partnership to celebrate it reopening and look forwards to its increased use in the coming years”

The Royal Canal Reopening Celebrations Working Committee will be meeting regularly to plan and activate events all along the Royal Canal.

 

Published in Inland Waterways
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How to sail, sailing clubs and sailing boats plus news on the wide range of sailing events on Irish waters forms the backbone of Afloat's sailing coverage.

We aim to encompass the widest range of activities undertaken on Irish lakes, rivers and coastal waters. This page describes those sailing activites in more detail and provides links and breakdowns of what you can expect from our sailing pages. We aim to bring jargon free reports separated in to popular categories to promote the sport of sailing in Ireland.

The packed 2013 sailing season sees the usual regular summer leagues and there are regular weekly race reports from Dublin Bay Sailing Club, Howth and Cork Harbour on Afloat.ie. This season and last also featured an array of top class events coming to these shores. Each year there is ICRA's Cruiser Nationals starts and every other year the Round Ireland Yacht Race starts and ends in Wicklow and all this action before July. Crosshaven's Cork Week kicks off on in early July every other year. in 2012 Ireland hosted some big international events too,  the ISAF Youth Worlds in Dun Laoghaire and in August the Tall Ships Race sailed into Dublin on its final leg. In that year the Dragon Gold Cup set sail in Kinsale in too.

2013 is also packed with Kinsale hosting the IFDS diabled world sailing championships in Kinsale and the same port is also hosting the Sovereign's Cup. The action moves to the east coast in July with the staging of the country's biggest regatta, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta from July 11.

Our coverage though is not restricted to the Republic of Ireland but encompasses Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Irish Sea area too. In this section you'll find information on the Irish Sailing Association and Irish sailors. There's sailing reports on regattas, racing, training, cruising, dinghies and keelboat classes, windsurfers, disabled sailing, sailing cruisers, Olympic sailing and Tall Ships sections plus youth sailing, match racing and team racing coverage too.

Sailing Club News

There is a network of over 70 sailing clubs in Ireland and we invite all clubs to submit details of their activities for inclusion in our daily website updates. There are dedicated sections given over to the big Irish clubs such as  the waterfront clubs in Dun Laoghaire; Dublin Bay Sailing Club, the Royal Saint George Yacht Club,  the Royal Irish Yacht Club and the National Yacht Club. In Munster we regularly feature the work of Kinsale Yacht Club and Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven.  Abroad Irish sailors compete in Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) racing in the UK and this club is covered too. Click here for Afloat's full list of sailing club information. We are keen to increase our coverage on the network of clubs from around the coast so if you would like to send us news and views of a local interest please let us have it by sending an email to [email protected]

Sailing Boats and Classes

Over 20 active dinghy and one design classes race in Irish waters and fleet sizes range from just a dozen or so right up to over 100 boats in the case of some of the biggest classes such as the Laser or Optimist dinghies for national and regional championships. Afloat has dedicated pages for each class: Dragons, Etchells, Fireball, Flying Fifteen, GP14, J24's, J80's, Laser, Sigma 33, RS Sailing, Star, Squibs, TopperMirror, Mermaids, National 18, Optimist, Puppeteers, SB3's, and Wayfarers. For more resources on Irish classes go to our dedicated sailing classes page.

The big boat scene represents up to 60% of the sail boat racing in these waters and Afloat carries updates from the Irish Cruiser Racer Association (ICRA), the body responsible for administering cruiser racing in Ireland and the popular annual ICRA National Championships. In 2010 an Irish team won the RORC Commodore's Cup putting Irish cruiser racing at an all time high. Popular cruiser fleets in Ireland are raced right around the coast but naturally the biggest fleets are in the biggest sailing centres in Cork Harbour and Dublin Bay. Cruisers race from a modest 20 feet or so right up to 50'. Racing is typically divided in to Cruisers Zero, Cruisers One, Cruisers Two, Cruisers Three and Cruisers Four. A current trend over the past few seasons has been the introduction of a White Sail division that is attracting big fleets.

Traditionally sailing in northern Europe and Ireland used to occur only in some months but now thanks to the advent of a network of marinas around the coast (and some would say milder winters) there are a number of popular winter leagues running right over the Christmas and winter periods.

Sailing Events

Punching well above its weight Irish sailing has staged some of the world's top events including the Volvo Ocean Race Galway Stopover, Tall Ships visits as well as dozens of class world and European Championships including the Laser Worlds, the Fireball Worlds in both Dun Laoghaire and Sligo.

Some of these events are no longer pure sailing regattas and have become major public maritime festivals some are the biggest of all public staged events. In the past few seasons Ireland has hosted events such as La Solitaire du Figaro and the ISAF Dublin Bay 2012 Youth Worlds.

There is a lively domestic racing scene for both inshore and offshore sailing. A national sailing calendar of summer fixtures is published annually and it includes old favorites such as Sovereign's Cup, Calves Week, Dun Laoghaire to Dingle, All Ireland Sailing Championships as well as new events with international appeal such as the Round Britain and Ireland Race and the Clipper Round the World Race, both of which have visited Ireland.

The bulk of the work on running events though is carried out by the network of sailing clubs around the coast and this is mostly a voluntary effort by people committed to the sport of sailing. For example Wicklow Sailing Club's Round Ireland yacht race run in association with the Royal Ocean Racing Club has been operating for over 30 years. Similarly the international Cork Week regatta has attracted over 500 boats in past editions and has also been running for over 30 years.  In recent years Dublin Bay has revived its own regatta called Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta and can claim to be the country's biggest event with over 550 boats entered in 2009.

On the international stage Afloat carries news of Irish and UK interest on Olympics 2012, Sydney to Hobart, Volvo Ocean Race, Cowes Week and the Fastnet Race.

We're always aiming to build on our sailing content. We're keen to build on areas such as online guides on learning to sail in Irish sailing schools, navigation and sailing holidays. If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]