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Displaying items by tag: High water

Continued high water levels have prompted Waterways Ireland to prohibit access to the floating jetty in Shannonbridge on the Shannon Navigation.

All masters of vessels and users of the inland waterway are advised that lighting to the area has been turned off as the power supply distribution box is currently submerged.

Published in Inland Waterways

Due to recent poor weather conditions, Waterways Ireland is currently operating at increased water levels on the Shannon, Erne, Barrow and River Bann.

As a consequence, boat owners, and those in the vicinity of our waterways, need to take additional care and bear the following points in mind:

  • For boaters, air draft is reduced under all bridges and power lines.
  • Access to jetties may be difficult as the walkway providing access to the jetty may have elevated due to the increased water levels.
  • The markers, pontoons and jetties may be under water.
  • The speed at which the water flows has significantly increased and boat owners and those along the navigations should take extra care when travelling.

Waterways Ireland encourages all waterway users to put safety first in these flood conditions.

Previously it was reported that the Jamestown Canal in Roscommon has been closed due to high water levels until further notice.

Waterways Ireland will install a dam system to protect the canal banks here, which will remain in place until water levels drop.

Published in Inland Waterways

About Conor O'Brien, Irish Circumnavigator

In 1923-25, Conor O'Brien became the first amateur skipper to circle the world south of the Great Capes. O'Brien's boat Saoirse was reputedly the first small boat (42-foot, 13 metres long) to sail around the world since Joshua Slocum completed his voyage in the 'Spray' during 1895 to 1898. It is a journey that O' Brien documented in his book Across Three Oceans. O'Brien's voyage began and ended at the Port of Foynes, County Limerick, Ireland, where he lived.

Saoirse, under O'Brien's command and with three crew, was the first yacht to circumnavigate the world by way of the three great capes: Cape Horn, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin; and was the first boat flying the Irish tri-colour to enter many of the world's ports and harbours. He ran down his easting in the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties between the years 1923 to 1925.

Up until O'Brien's circumnavigation, this route was the preserve of square-rigged grain ships taking part in the grain race from Australia to England via Cape Horn (also known as the clipper route).

At a Glance - Conor O'Brien's Circumnavigation 

In June 1923, Limerick man Conor O’Brien set off on his yacht, the Saoirse — named after the then newly created Irish Free State — on the two-year voyage from Dun Laoghaire Harbour that was to make him the first Irish amateur to sail around the world.

June 1923 - Saoirse’s arrival in Madeira after her maiden passage out from Dublin Bay

2nd December 1924 - Saoirse crossed the longitude of Cape Horn

June 20th 1925 - O’Brien’s return to Dun Laoghaire Harbour

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