Hello and welcome aboard this week’s edition of Seascapes your maritime programme .......glad to be back this week after our break during the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro we salute the Irish competitors who participated and congratulate our medal winners and wish our Paralympians every success , writer and broadcaster Hugh Oram relates the tale of how The Celtic Sea came by its name ; we have the results of our Seascapes competition and the winners of those copies of “ Shackleton’s South” as retold by John MacKenna in a Real Reads edition ; first this week to the recent Swim Ireland event at Coosan Point in Athlone ––Ron Coveney and Laura Hannon went along for Seascapes .......... let’s hear first from Mary McMorrow, Operations Manager of Swim Ireland as the National 5 and 10k Championships and Swim for A Mile all part of Waterfest began at the start line..........

Mary McMorrow, Operations Manager, Swim Ireland we can hear next from Marathon Swimmer Steven Miller...

Next to Charlie Lawn at Waterfest, Charlie is Inspector of Navigation with Waterways Ireland...

From Charlie Lawn to some of the winners of the National 5K Championship as Laura Hannon and Ron Coveney greeted them at the finish line at Coosan Point in Athlone....they talked to Adrian Cosgrove of Ennis ; Jordan Sexton of St Fiaccs the National 5K Champion but first to Amy Wolfe of Sandycove Island who was 1st across the line in the Senior Female (wetsuit) in the National 5K Championships..
A final word from Waterfest in Athlone with Kevin Clabby who is Chairman of Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.

The Athlone River Festival and Food Village takes place in the Shannonside town from the Friday 9th of September to Sunday 11th more details on the Waterways Ireland webpage and on the Seascapes webpage....
With all the coverage of the remarkable feat in the lightweight double sculls by the O'Donovan brothers Gary and Paul and the jubilation felt by all involved in Irish rowing circles throughout this island I was drawn to a piece by Alex Clark who wrote in last weekend’s Observer........

“ They do things differently in Skibbereen, as Gary and Paul O Donovan, Ireland’s first –ever rowing medal winners, demonstrated in their post-victory interviews. “

“The lightweight double scullers thrilled as they might have been, were not about to go overboard; rather they explained in Cork’s distinctive sing-song accent they had “done some Nutella, done the podium thing and peed in a cup”
“Back home, the duo rather wistfully explained on Irish (national) broadcaster Raidio Telefis Eireann, “its mad excitement altogether “and Skibbereen was “after closing everything down and having a national holiday and we’re missing it all.” Clark writes “Don’t worry lads: the ‘craic’ will still be ninety when you get home.”

In sailing, Annalise Murphy secured her silver medal after almost a decade of constant training and perseverance and her victory was celebrated in Dun Laoghaire and at her home sailing club The National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire , she is now hotly tipped to take on the Moth for Tokyo in four years time. Congratulations also go to the entire Irish sailing squad

Finn Lynch (20) from Carlow and also a National YC sailor was the youngest ever Olympic helm to represent Ireland as well as being the youngest in his 46-strong class. He achieved several notable performances during his ten-race series at Rio including several top 20 results. In an event where the average age of the top ten finishers is 30, he has proven his ability with an Olympic experience under his belt and is certain to be a prospect for Tokyo 2020.
Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey from the Royal Irish YC started their campaign together exactly three years ago and sailed the 49erFX class for the new Women’s Skiff event at Rio. Overcoming a three-month injury hiatus to their campaign, they qualified Ireland for the event earlier this year and their form improved steadily in the build-up to the Olympics. Over their 12 race series, they achieved five top ten results and ended their debut Olympic Games in 12th place overall.
Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern, from Carrickfergus Sailing Club, Ballyholme YC & Royal Ulster YC were the last of the six Irish sailors into action on Guanabara Bay in the Men’s Skiff event Medal Race final. The London 2012 veterans improved on their performance from four years ago by qualifying for the final to place tenth overall. Their results included two race wins in which they beat the four times world champions and eventual Gold medal winners. This ensured they were within reach of the podium going in to the last day of fleet racing.

“This result proves that our strategy in high performance is working and is providing the success that all involved in sailing and sport crave,” commented David Lovegrove, President of the Irish Sailing Association. “I want to acknowledge the tremendous professionalism of our coaching staff who have demonstrated such passion and commitment to our sailors. In particular I want to commend James O’Callaghan’s leadership and guidance of high performance sailing, ably supported by Rory Fitzpatrick.”

“Annalise’s medal confirms the intent of our programme that both delivers the highest standard of performance but also makes a return to our domestic sport,” said James O’Callaghan, ISA Performance Director.
We wish all our Paralympians well in Rio particularly our Paralymic Sailing Team of John Twomey , Ian Costelloe and Austin O Carroll , this is Johns ‘ 11th consecutive games...fair winds...

As the clock counts down to the America’s Cup proper next year, the pressure is building week by week. Pressure for Sir Ben Ainslie’s team, Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing ; also for the Defenders Oracle Team USA and indeed for all six teams as they fight for the bonus points that could increase their chances next year when the road to the America’s Cup kicks off.

Next to our recent Seascapes competition you may remember that we asked you to name the last vessel on which Sir Ernest Shackleton sailed before his untimely passing the answer as many of you correctly guessed was The Quest, so copies of “Shackletons South “ as retold by John MacKenna are going out to ...

*Kevin O'Halloran, Youghal, Co. Cork

*Marcelline Cody Roscrea Co Tipperary

*Tony O'Connor Malahide, Co. Dublin

A new statue is unveiled in Athy to Sir Ernest Shackleton this coming week and we’ll be there.......

Well from the World of exploration to our coastal waters and the Celtic Sea...........broadcaster and writer Hugh Oram on the how this body of water got its name.........
Hugh Oram and the origins of The Celtic Sea, Hugh’s latest book is a pictorial history of Sandymount, published by The History Press Ireland ...

“ On the sound desk this week Niall O’ Sullivan, next week here on your maritime programme Grainne McPolin heads for Fenit and Tralee Bay for Seascapes and profiles the crane company Liebherr who came to Tralee in 1958 and how the company has expanded , their shipping movements through Fenit and Tralee Bay ..........we’ll meet the Chief Executive Officer of Liebherr , Pat O ‘Leary ; retiree Max McCarthy ; Port Manager - Don O’ Herlihy ; Commodore and Vice Commodore of Tralee Bay Sailing Club Fiona Frawley and Gary Forte and Harbour Master - Batt McCarthy......and we’ll be at the unveiling of that new statue to Sir Ernest Shackleton in Athy .........until next Friday tight lines and fair sailing.”

Waterways Ireland will reopen the Shannon Navigation through Limerick on the 11th August following remedial work. The unprecedented decision to close the navigation between Parteen Weir and Sarsfield Lock was taken in March 2016 following safety inspections of the critical navigational infrastructure.

The infrastructural damage was caused by record flood levels and the prolonged duration of these floods during last winter. The floating breakwater at the entrance to the Abbey River in Limerick was no longer in place to protect vessels from striking the fixed weir. The floating pontoons upstream of the railways bridge were also damaged and were not suitable for mooring to or walking on.

The works to remediate the deficiencies included the recovery of the breakwater and the reinstallation of the breakwater arrest system. The Railway Bridge jetty also required repair. Following completion of the flood damage work, operational maintenance to the sluice and lock-gates of Sarsfield Lock was also required and is now complete.

Sarsfield Lock will be open Mondays and Thursdays for the rest of the season at the times published in the Marine Notice on www.waterwaysireland.org. These have been established to meet the tide timetable and the operation of Ardnacrusha.

Waterways Ireland recognises the inconvenience the closure has caused users of the navigation and apologies for any difficulties experienced.

For further information please contact the Inspector of Navigation Tel: 353 (0)90 6494232.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland advises that remedial works have commenced on the stretch of the Shannon Navigation between Limerick City and Parteen Weir after significant storm and flooding damage over the winter.

The closure had caused some consternation within the boating community as it effectively excluded Lough Derg sailors from this summer's WIORA races, and threatened to hit maritime revenues in Limerick.

But it was announced recently that design options had been advanced to provide for works to be completed this month.

It's believed that works on the affected infrastructure will be completed by the week beginning Monday 25 July. Prior tooth time, a schedule of opening times will be published for Sarsfield's Lock.

In other inland waterways news, the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal has been closed since Monday 11 July until forth notice due to a culvert collapse between Locks 22 (Glenaree Bridge) and 23 (Spencer Bridge). Further notice will be issued once the damage has been assessed.

Meanwhile, on the River Bann, Carnroe Lock has been closed for emergency repair works, which are expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

There's better news on Upper Lough Erne, however, as the public mooring jetty and slipway at Carrybridge is now open, with the exception of the pump-out facility.

The winner of its 2016 Waterways Ireland Schools Competition is Bernard Sweeney from St. Patrick's Boys NS in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. The runner-up prize goes to Orla Connolly from Runnamoat National School in Co. Roscommon.

The Young Journalist Schools Competition was launched at the annual INTO Congress in March and was open to entries from 4th - 6th/P5 – P7 students throughout Ireland. It was based around the recorded interviews of people's waterway memories and experiences and is a fantastic source of evidence of life in the past for school-children and historians alike.

Each entrant was asked to listen to a selection of short audio clips uploaded to our website then write a newspaper article based on the event described within their chosen clip. The response to the competition was extremely positive with over 50 high quality entries received from all over Ireland.

Bernard's article entitled 'Mishap with a Bathtub' and Orla's article entitled 'Tragic Waterways Accident' really caught our attention. Bernard's article tells us about a flood at Shannon Harbour in Co. Offaly and the creative idea of one RIC man to get through the flood. Orla's article tells us about a tragic accident involving a young boy and reminds us of the message to stay safe near the waterways.

Bernard won an Ipad mini for his school along with a €50 One4all gift card for both himself and his teacher Noel McKeon. Orla has won a €25 One4all gift card and one her teacher Ann Carroll. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who took the time and effort to enter the competition.

Calls to reopen the Limerick navigation between Parteen Weir and the city have been answered as Waterways Ireland confirmed that the infrastructural repair works needed would begin this week writes Andrew Carey.

As Afloat.ie reported previously, damage to floating pontoons and a breakwater at the Abbey River forced the closure of the navigation until Waterways Ireland identified a number of repair options for the damaged infrastructure along the Abbey and Shannon rivers.

Boaters, local Councillors, sitting TDs and the business community in Limerick issued calls for Ministerial intervention to reopen the waterway after it closed on April 25 last.

A spokesperson for Waterways Ireland said that "the stretch of navigation from Limerick city to Parteen Weir has been closed to navigation due to continuing infrastructural deficiencies as a result of the winter storms and subsequent flooding.

"The navigation remains closed and users are advised to stay clear of the damaged facilities in the area.

With additional funding sought from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Waterways Ireland said that it had "limited resources and has had to prioritise its' interventions in those areas of greatest need and use."

However, this Wednesday, the agency said that "following inspections of the floating breakwater and the waiting jetties, a number of design solutions have been advanced to repair and re-instate the infrastructure.

"Works are commencing this week and it is expected that navigation in Limerick will be re-opened in three to four weeks."

The news has been broadly welcomed by leisure boat users and the business community who said that an indefinite closure of the navigation would effect tourism revenues and jobs in the area.

Last year, a six point plan to boost marine tourism on the Shannon and in Limerick was launched by then Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan.

The plans, drafted by Limerick marine enthusiasts to benefit local tourism, heritage and education, were submitted to Waterways Ireland.

Waterways Ireland said that they wished to take this opportunity "to apologise for the inconvenience caused to customers by this closure and wish to thank you for your patience and support in this matter."

Waterways Ireland has announced that Portumna's Castle harbour opened to vessels for berthing the first weekend in June following extensive renovation and upgrade.

The harbour works included the doubling of mooring capacity at this ever popular location, upgrade of berths, re-paving of quay area and installation of cut stone walls.

While the Harbour is now re-opened for boats, works to the onshore services including the upgrade of the service block, car parking, services for camper vans and access road continue and are expected to be completed in early September.

The project is funded through the Lough Derg Stimulus Fund (administered by Fáilte Ireland), by Galway County Council and Waterways Ireland.

Éanna Rowe, Regional Manager, Waterways Ireland said "I am especially pleased that the harbour is re-opening this weekend to boats and given the increased capacity now in the harbour I am full sure that Portumna can continue to benefit from the Shannon and its inland boating fraternity". Mr. Rowe added that he wanted to complement the Waterways Ireland Operations Team for their efforts and endeavours in providing yet another top class waterway product on the Shannon Navigation.

Limerick's newly appointed Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan has been asked to intervene with Waterways Ireland to reopen navigation of the River Shannon at Limerick city and avoid the loss of marine tourism revenue to the city writes Andrew Carey.

As Afloat.ie reported earlier, on April 25, Waterways Ireland issued a marine notice advising all users that the river from Limerick city to Parteen Weir would close to navigation.

It cited the "continuing high flow rates and infrastructural deficiencies as a result of the winter storms and subsequent flooding" as reasons for the closure.

Waterways Ireland said that the "floating breakwater at the entrance to the Abbey River in Limerick is no longer in place to protect vessels from striking the fixed weir. Also, there are many strong currents and eddies making navigation dangerous for both large and small craft.

A safety inspection of other damaged floating pontoons further upstream was to be carried out "when water levels and flows permit. Meanwhile, users are advised to stay clear of these until a further Marine Notice is issued on this matter."

Remedial works have yet to take place and the waterway remains closed to all marine traffic during the peak summer season.

Sailors from local sailing clubs wishing to access the Shannon now face the prospect of missing completions and events around the west coast and beyond as they can not pass through the navigation.

Last year, a six point plan to boost marine tourism on the Shannon and in Limerick was launched by then Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan.

The plans, drafted by Limerick marine enthusiasts to benefit local tourism, heritage and education, were submitted to Waterways Ireland.

Well-known boatman Pat Lysaght said that "Limerick is effectively landlocked and until these issues are rectified we will continue to lose out".

Calling for immediate intervention by Minister O'Donovan, who has responsibility for tourism and sport, Cllr Emmett O'Brien said the closure of the waterway "means no boats can sail from Limerick city to Killaloe. This may have a serious impact on local tourism and is contrary to all lip service being paid to Limerick being a riverside city.

"We need a clear and accurate response from Waterways Ireland and the Council why this has occurred and our local Minister for State for Tourism must intervene to ensure this navigation route does not remain closed."

Fianna Fáil Deputy Niall Collins said that it was of huge concern that "Limerick City is effectively closed off to marine tourism and this is having a detrimental impact on tourism across the Shannon region.

“I’m calling on Waterways Ireland to outline when the navigational hazards it has identified along the river will be addressed. We need to know the planned schedule of works and when the river will be reopened to marine traffic.

"We can’t have a situation whereby boats cannot sail up or down the River Shannon during the peak of the tourist season. This needs to be addressed without delay."

At the time of going to press, Limerick City Council and Minister O'Donovan had failed to respond to queries.

Waterways Ireland issued this statement on Wednesday afternoon.

"The stretch of navigation from Limerick city to Parteen Weir remains closed to navigation due to continuing infrastructural deficiencies as a result of the winter storms and subsequent flooding.

"Waterways Ireland, following the 2015/2016 flooding event has and continues to restore the infrastructure right along the Shannon navigation following on from the damage caused by record flood levels and the prolonged duration of these floods during last winter.

"However, Waterways Ireland has limited resources available to it and has had to prioritise its' interventions in those areas of greatest need and use."

The statement did not indicate any timeframe for reopening of the navigation.

#WaterSafety - Waterways Ireland has echoed the recent advice over the dangers of the water during the current warm spell across Ireland.

The latest marine notice from the management body for Ireland's inland navigations warns the public on the dangers of swimming and diving in and around navigation infrastructure such as bridges, locks, weirs, pontoons and harbour jetties.
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The possibility of a swimmer being struck by a vessel, its propeller or being run over is ever present while powered craft are manoeuvring. Swimming is therefore prohibited at these locations.

It follows similar warnings from the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Irish Water Safety urging caution to anyone engaged in activities on or near the water this summer.

The latest incident saw a 12-year-old boy airlifted to University Hospital Galway after wounding his leg on a jagged rock while cliff diving in the Gaeltacht, as Independent.ie reports.

#InlandWaters - The Waterways Ireland Docklands Summer Festival takes place this weekend 21-22 May with a wide array of activities for all.

Water-based experiences include kayaking, paddle boarding and barge rides, as well as the opportunity for the young and old to try their hand at a range of interesting water sports.

If you'd prefer to stay dry, events for land-lubbers include water golf off the jetty or the rubber duck race.

The festival promises a hive of activity across the Docklands, with entertainment and family fun guaranteed. Find out more HERE.

This Saturday 21 May also sees the Waterways Ireland Loughfest take place at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen.

The annual extravaganza, organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, promises to be a fun-packed day for all the family, with a range of events taking place on Lough Erne and the Broadmeadow from 12 noon till 4pm. Details are HERE.

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland's 2016 event programme launches 120 events celebrating the arts, heritage, adventure, and sporting communities along Ireland's inland waterways.

Now in its tenth year, the programme has sponsored over 700 events with a knock-on effect of €80m in benefits to the local waterway communities. Information on all fun activities and events can be found on the Waterways Ireland website.

Events in the programme this year include TriAthlone on Lough Ree, TriAthy X in Athy on the Barrow, the Killaloe Water Festival on Lough Derg, the Erne Classic Fishing Festival, the Shannon Blueway Adventure Festival, the Docklands Summer Festival and Phizzfest in Dublin, and the Waterways Ireland Riverfest on the Lower Bann, which this year hosts the European Boat Wakeboard Championships.

"These events supported by Waterways Ireland have revitalised rural and small urban communities, and have facilitated the development of local community associations, leading to real economic and social impacts," says Sharon Lavin, head of marketing and communications at Waterways Ireland.

"The Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme in 2015 supported the participation of almost 38,000 people directly in waterway activity and welcomed over 160,000 spectators to waterway events along the navigations. The economic impact of the 2015 programme along is estimated at €7.8m."

The programme announcement comes after Waterways Ireland announced its 2016 boating season, which kicked off earlier this month.

In other news, over 90 local businesses attended the 'Build Your Blueway' Networking Expo recently at The Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, creating and developing new business opportunities across Cavan, Roscommon, Longford and Leitrim.

Organised by the Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy Project in conjunction with Waterways Ireland, the event offered activity, arts, heritage and cultural businesses the opportunity to present their business, network and develop cross-selling options with accommodation providers and others in a series of sessions.​​