Waterways Ireland is “continuing to examine options” for the graving docks at Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock, according to the Minister for Heritage.

Responding to a recent written question from Dublin Bay South TD Chris Andrews regarding the graving docks and their intended future use, Minister Darragh O’Brien said the site, also known as City Block 19, “is designated within the North Lotts and Grand Canal Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) for residential, commercial and community development”.

He added: “Waterways Ireland is continuing to examine options including a potential disposal of the site. Should a disposal be progressed a minimum reserve price would be placed on the site reflecting a fair market value.”

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, plans to sell off the heritage graving docks in Ringsend have been mooted for more than two years.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways confirmed in February 2021 that it was “considering a range of options” regarding the sale of the site, which is one of the last undeveloped land parcels of the Docklands Strategic Development Zone.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway that the 2022-23 winter mooring period for public harbours on these navigations has ended as of Friday 31 March.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds that Shannon Navigation Bye-law No. 17(3) now applies: vessels should not berth in the same harbour for longer than the statutory period of five consecutive days nor more than a total of seven days in any one month.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal in Dublin that works to Camden Lock in Grand Canal Dock will commence on Monday 3 April.

This will involve the lowering of the water level in Grand Canal Dock by approximately 400mm to accommodate the works on the sea lock.

Water levels were gradually lowered during past week commencing Monday 27 March and will remain low for a period of eight weeks.

Masters of vessels should contact Waterways Ireland prior to undertaking passage in Grand Canal Dock during the works, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Barrow Navigation that the trackway section of the Barrow Way from Graiguenamanagh Bridge to 100m south of Upper Tinnahinch Lock is closed until Friday 7 April.

This is to accommodate Carlow County Council’s undertaking of site investigation works for Graiguenamanagh/Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme.

The trackway was closed on Tuesday 28 March and there will be no public access daily from 8am to 7pm, with restricted public access at all other times. Local property access will be accommodated, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has established a new tourism partnership which will work to enhance and strengthen local tourism through the delivery of the Visitor Experience Development Plan (VEDP) for Fermanagh Lakelands, Omagh and the Sperrins.

The partnership met in Enniskillen for the first time last Tuesday 21 March to commit to realising the ambition set out within the VEDP for a regenerative, year-round tourism destination.

It includes members from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Tourism NI, Waterways Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, DAERA, Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, Department for Communities, Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, Loughs Agency, National Trust, South West College, Sperrins Partnership Project, National Museums NI and Invest NI.

The inaugural meeting of the VEDP Delivery Partnership is a key milestone in the delivery of the development plan and, alongside the core membership, the partnership is working on plans to establish inclusive industry and community engagement models.

The VEDP is a 10-year destination roadmap that will focus on regenerative tourism, delivering authentic visitor experiences, while benefitting local communities, businesses and the environment.

Funded and developed by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Tourism NI and Waterways Ireland, the VEDP will create greater alignment locally across the tourism sector through stronger collaboration from key delivery organisations and a more joined-up approach to tourism development.

Councillor Barry McElduff, chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said: “The Fermanagh Lakelands and Omagh and the Sperrins is a truly beautiful part of the world in which to live, work and visit. We are keen to share this with visitors locally, nationally, and internationally.

“A key part of the vision set out in the VEDP is that our visitors become temporary locals when they are here. Through delivery of memorable moments, we will inspire our visitors to share their experience and encourage them to return.”

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and interested parties of the intended disposal of a number of vessels, by public tender, which were removed from the inland waterways.

Ten vessels are presently stored by Waterways Ireland at Shannon Harbour, Co Offaly and at Munster Harbour near Portumna. All vessels may be inspected (externally only) between 11am and 4pm this Saturday 1 April.

Tender information and relevant documentation are available from the Waterways Ireland website or by contacting the Inspectorate Office, Waterways Ireland, Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly (Tel 057 932 5019).

Sealed tenders should reach the Assistant Inspector of Navigation at the above address not later than noon on Friday 21 April. Please note that only postal submissions will be accepted.

Please also note that a condition of sale is that vessels be removed from Waterways Ireland property once purchased.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Shannon Navigation that overhead power line repair works will take place at Ballyleague on Thursday 6 April.

To enable the repair works to be completed, the navigation channel will be temporarily closed on that morning for two hours.

There will be safety boats in place for the duration of the repair works.

Masters of vessels are requested to observe the instructions of safety boat crew during this repair work, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal at Tullamore, Co Offaly that canal works between Lock 26 and Lock 27 will take place in the week starting Monday 27 March.

The water level on the Grand Canal between Lock 26 and Lock 27 will be lowered. All vessels between these locks — including the branch line to Tullamore Harbour — should relocated from that canal level by Monday.

Navigation through Tullamore on the Grand Canal will be restricted from Monday 27 until Friday 31 March, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Masters of vessels should contact Waterways Ireland prior to undertaking passage on the Grand Canal in this area during the works.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and water users on the Erne System that emergency overhead line repair works are planned between Castle Island and the west shoreline on Saturday 25 March.

To enable the repair works to be completed, the navigation channel between Castle Island and the west shoreline of the River Erne will be temporarily closed on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

Safety boats will be in place for the duration of the repair works. The navigation channel between Castle Island and the east shoreline will remain open.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways also warns that the Erne System is currently experiencing high water levels.

Masters of vessels and water users should proceed with additional caution and bear the following in mind when on the water during high-water conditions:

• Air draft is reduced under all bridges and power lines.
• Water velocity is significantly increased.
• Access to jetties can be difficult as gangways and pontoons are elevated.
• Navigation markers, pontoons and jetties may be submerged.
• Mooring lines should checked regularly if it safe to do so.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Shannon Navigation that the waiting jetties at the Railway Bridge in Limerick will be reinstated at the end of March.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the jetties had been relocated to Georges Quay from the end of October last year for the winter period.