Displaying items by tag: Waterways Ireland
Waterways Ireland has announced the opening of a public consultation on the Draft Shannon Tourism Masterplan and Environmental Report today, Wednesday 4 March.
The consultation documents will be available to the public both online and in the 10 county council offices along the Shannon and Shannon-Erne inland waterway corridors, and the consultation will remain open until Wednesday 22 April at 4pm.
The list of documents available to view are an Executive Summary, the draft Shannon Tourism Masterplan, a baseline study for the Masterplan, the Environmental Report, and AA Screen Report and Natura Impact Report.
Submissions can be made by completing an online survey. Surveys are also available at the host locations listed on the Waterways Ireland website and can be posted to Waterways Ireland’s Western Regional Office in Scariff, Co Clare.
The public consultation is also taking place in Northern Ireland, with documents available to view in the Waterways Ireland headquarters in Enniskillen. Relevant additional links include the NI Environmental Report and Habitats Regulations Assessment.
This consultation is the next stage in an 18-month process to reposition the combined Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway as a key tourism destination within Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, identifying world class visitor experiences based on the region’s natural and cultural assets.
The Shannon Tourism Masterplan sets out “a bold and integrated framework for sustainable tourism development along the Shannon and Shannon-Erne”, Waterways Ireland says.
SLR Consulting and partners were commissioned to develop this Tourism Masterplan for the Shannon by Waterways Ireland in association with Fáilte Ireland and with the support of the 10 local authorities adjoining the River Shannon and Shannon Erne Waterway.
Once the public consultation is complete, submissions will be reviewed and a final draft of the document issued.
Green E Buoy At Goat Island On Lough Derg Is Off Station
Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and water users that the Green E Buoy buoy at Goat Island on Lough Derg is off station, and to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the island.
Waterways Ireland has announced that works to repair a broken sewer line in the Grand Canal at Inchicore will not be completed until the end of May.
Navigation between Locks 1 and 2 will remain closed after the incident last summer which saw the partial collapse of a trunk sewer at Suir Road, west of St James’ Hospital in the city.
The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways added: “As the works to the sewer are dependent on a number of factors and are outside of Waterways Ireland control, this date cannot yet be confirmed but updates will be issued when available.”
Boat passage arrangements for both the Grand Canal and Royal Canal in and out of Dublin were recently announced ahead of the 2020 boating season, which begins later this month.
No Access To Floating Jetty At Shannonbridge Over High Water Levels
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.
High Water Level Alert For Shannon, Erne, Barrow & River Bann
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.
Closure of Jamestown Canal Due to High Water Levels
Waterways Ireland has closed the navigation at Jamestown Canal in County Roscommon until further notice due to high water levels.
Waterways Ireland will be installing a dam system on the upstream side of Corlura bridge in order to control the water levels and to protect the integrity of the canal banks.
This dam system will remain in place until the water levels drop.
This section of navigation will be impassable whilst this dam is in place. Waterways Ireland will remove the dam as soon as the water levels reduce.
Closures On Shannon-Erne Waterway For New Footbridge & Service Block
Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that the Shannon-Erne Waterway will be closed between Lock 12 and Lock 13 today, Tuesday 18 February, in order to facilitate the installation of a new footbridge.
It is estimated that the closure of the navigation shall be for no more than one day.
In addition, the service block and amenity area including jetties at Keshcarrigan, Co Leitrim shall remain closed to the public until 16 March in order to facilitate improvement works.
For further information contact, Waterways Ireland’s Carrick-on-Shannon office at 07196-50562.
Details On Canal Passage In & Out Of Dublin For 2020
Waterways Ireland reminds masters and owners of boat passage arrangements in or out of Dublin on the Royal and Grand Canals ahead of the start of the 2020 boating season in mid-March.
Movements in or out of the city via the waterways will be organised by prior arrangement, to take place as a single movement in one day.
Boaters will only be facilitated if their passage is considered to be safe by Waterways Ireland and they have the valid permit(s) for mooring and passage.
In order to plan the necessary lock assistance for movements east of Lock 12 on either canal, masters are required to contact the Waterways Ireland Eastern Regional Office (weekdays 9.30am to 4.30pm) on 01 868 0148 or email [email protected] prior to making passage.
At time of making contact, the following details should be provided:
- Length, beam, water & air drafts of your craft (provide approximates if don't have exact dimensions)
- Phone/email contact details
- Permit number and expiry date of current canal permit
On the Grand Canal, a minimum of two days’ notice prior to planned passage must be given and, with the exception of pre-arranged events, a maximum of two boats per day will be taken through the locks, travelling either east or west. In certain circumstances, eg for slower or larger barges, the limit will be one boat per day.
Due to periodic anti-social activity along some of canal route into Dublin, boat passage will also not be possible in certain weather conditions and at weekends over the late spring and summer period. This can be planned for at time of making contact, and suitable arrangements for passage made.
On the Royal Canal, two weeks’ notice of bridge passage (Newcomen Lifting Bridge) is required for the pre-set lift date, and lock assistance will then also be arranged. A minimum of two boats is required for a bridge lift to go ahead. A maximum number of boats passing will be implemented, 16 for weekend lifts and eight for weekday lifts. Priority will be given on a first come, first served basis.
The pre-set lift dates and times are set out below:
- Thursday 16 April, 11am–1pm
- Sunday 3 May, 9am–1pm
- Saturday 30 May, 9am–1pm
- Thursday 11 June, 11am–1pm
- Friday 26 June, 11am–1pm
- Tuesday 28 July, 11am–1pm
- Tuesday 25 August, 11am–1pm
- Thursday 24 September, 11am–1pm
Masters and owners are also reminded to ensure that they have the following before making the passage through the city locks on both canals. Waterways Ireland reserves the right to postpone passage to another day if all of these are not in place:
- Adequate fuel on board
- Competent and adequate crew to operate the boat and locks (minimum crew of 3)
- A lock key on board their boat
- Mooring lines of adequate length to handle vessel through a lock (approx 15m length)
- No known mechanical problems with their boat
Passages can only be arranged in the boating season from mid-March to end of October. Also note that aquatic weed is generally more prevalent as the season progresses beyond Spring and may hamper passage.
Boaters will be facilitated as far as practicable although Waterways Ireland cannot guarantee that passage will be possible on every planned date. Early contact will greatly assist planning and facilitate the making of the necessary arrangements.
Lock Closures On Shannon Navigation For Staff Training Next Wednesday
Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that a number of locks on the Shannon Navigation will be closed next Wednesday 5 February to facilitate staff training.
The affected locks on the inland waterway are in Athlone; Pollboy Lock in Ballinasloe; Victoria Lock at Meelick in Co Galway; Portumna Bridge north of Lough Derg; and Sarsfield Lock in Limerick.
Waterways Ireland regrets any inconvenience this may cause and thanks its customers for their co-operation.
Unsung Waterway Heroes Go For Gold In Prestigious Community Awards
Three projects nominated by Waterways Ireland have been chosen as finalists for this year’s All Ireland Community & Council Awards, presented by IPB Insurance and LAMA, at Croke Park on Saturday 15 February.
Inland waterways finalists in the awards’ 14th year include the Royal Canal Citizen Science Project, which has been selected in the Best Environmental/Ecological Project/Initiative category.
This project is where Waterways Ireland facilitated a change in management, following consultation with a local community group, to support local biodiversity on the Royal Canal at Baltrasna, near Mullingar.
The effect was then monitored by a local environmental group along with Butterfly Conservation Ireland and Birdwatch Ireland.
Elsewhere, Crinniú @ Portumna has been selected as a finalist in Best Arts/Culture (inclucing festivals & events).
This inaugural community-centred heritage event, subtitled ‘a celebration of people, place and heritage’, was a collaboration between Waterways Ireland, Galway County Council Heritage Office and OPW Portumna Castle.
The event received great local support as well as attendance by barges from the Heritage Boat Association.
Stories from the Waterways has been selected as a finalist in Best Connected Council (Communication & Digital Marketing) category.
For this project, Waterways Ireland recorded two series of digital media features. One focused on local communities and their interactions with the waterways, and a second series focused on the work of Waterways Ireland staff in the protection and promotion of waterways heritage.
These digital shorts can be viewed on social media and on the Waterways Ireland website.
Hundreds of leading community organisations from across Ireland entered this year’s awards, which boast over 19 categories.
The main award, the much anticipated Grand Prix title, goes to the project that has received the highest level of recognition from judges.
Last year, the prestigious title went to Louth County Council for their Sports Inclusion Disability Programme. The aspiration of the highly successful programme is to increase and sustain participation for people with disabilities.
Speaking about this year’s finalists, event manager Michael O'Donoghue, said: “We anticipate this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever, with many unsung heroes being recognised for their outstanding contribution to their communities.
“Competition remains high with so many inspiring projects deserving awards.”