Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that the water level in the Grand Canal between Locks 13 and 14 in north-east Kildare will be reduced by around 18 inches (450mm) with immediate effect.

The reduced water level will be in place until 1 February 2024.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways advises masters of vessels to check mooring lines regularly throughout this period.

Navigation in this section will be restricted and only possible by first contacting the area foreman on 087 359 9072.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessel on the Grand Canal that due to the ongoing works at Shannon Harbour, passage through Locks 35 and 36 will only be possible by prior arrangement with the Waterway Patroller.

This system will be in place until Tuesday 21 November, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Operation of the locks will be controlled by the Waterway Patroller and only during working hours, as follows:

• Until 31 October: 9.30am to 4.45pm (lunch break 1-1.30pm).
• 1 November to 15 March: 9.30am to 2pm (lunch break 1-1.30pm).

To arrange passage through Locks 35 and 36, use the following numbers:

• For passage from Monday to Sunday (excluding Friday), call 087 245 6587.
• For passage on a Friday, call 087 245 6609.

Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that the Barrow Line will be closed to vessel traffic from McCartney’s (Lock 24) to Moore’s (Lock 25) to enable essential quay wall refurbishment at Bell Harbour in Monasterevin.

This closure will commence on Wednesday 1 November for a period of around 18 weeks, until early March 2024.

Mooring in Bell Harbour and through navigation will not be possible in this area for the duration of the works. Vessels moored in Bell Harbour will be accommodated on the 24th and 26th levels during this period.

Vessels in Bell Harbour are requested to vacate the harbour and 25th level by Tuesday 31 October.

Any craft remaining in this area on 1 November will be removed to alternative mooring on the 26th level by the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that culvert replacement works will be commencing on the summit level from Thursday 2 November.

These works — some 450 metres east of Lock 19 in Lowtown, Co Kildare — are to replace a damaged culvert under the canal and are expected take around 10 weeks.

Navigation will not be possible in this area for the duration of the works, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that essential repair works will be taking place at Lock 22 at Cappyroe Bridge in Co Offaly until this Friday 6 October.

Due to these works, navigation will not be possible through the area during this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that Offaly Rowing Club will be holding time trials between Locks 23 and 24 this Saturday 30 September.

The event will take place between 8am and 4pm. The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways asks users of the navigation and adjacent greenway to follow the directions given by the event marshals on the day.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal that as part of the Green WIN project (more HERE), new deep well and flow devices are to be installed at Locks 35 and 36 at Shannon Harbour.

These works are due to begin Monday 25 September and will continue for around eight weeks, until mid-to-late November.

The works are land-based and navigation through the locks will not be affected, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal that it will be carrying out maintenance works on a damaged section of the north quay wall in Shannon Harbour.

Works will begin on Monday 25 September and will last around seven weeks until mid November, from 9am to 5pm each day.

A section of the harbour wall will be closed off to boat users during this time.

The access road to the north of Shannon Harbour will also be closed to public traffic and only local traffic will be permitted access.

Water levels in Shannon Harbour may have to be lowered for a time to allow these works to be completed, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and waterways users that the Grand Canal’s Circular Line in Dublin (Lock C1 through to Lock C7) is now reopened.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Circular Line had been closed to navigation due to fallen trees across the canal in the aftermath of Storm Betty in mid August.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal that it will be carrying out underwater structural inspections of the north and south quay walls in Shannon Harbour this coming week.

Divers will be in the water between Griffith Bridge and the 35th Lock on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September (rescheduled from Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 September) between 9am and 5pm each day. An Alpha Flag (Divers Flag) will be flown to indicate the divers’ presence.

Waterways Ireland says it will be required to move vessels for the inspection and will return boats to their original positions when completed.

Boat owners are advised to check mooring lines of their boats after the work is completed, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.