Waterways Ireland, in partnership with Monaghan County Council and Fáilte Ireland, is inviting individuals, businesses and organisations to tender for contracts to create attractive visitor experiences at the Ulster Canal Marina in Clones, Co Monaghan as part of the redevelopment of the Ulster Canal.

Ulster Canal Marina, and the associated 1km canal that is due to open in 2024, will be a new water-based asset along the inland waterway which is being restored on a phased basis.

The new marina and short section of water at Clones will provide a range of leisure and recreational opportunities for both visitors and the local community.

Two lots are available to tender for: an outdoor activity provision concession and/or a catering concession at Ulster Canal Marina.

Under the outdoor activity provision, Waterways Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Monaghan County Council are looking to encourage a range of activities for the local community and visitors to the site, including but not limited to canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing, sailing, open-water swimming, outdoor play, bushcraft and a sauna.

Under the catering provision, Waterways Ireland is looking for a high-quality catering unit that will sell a range of sustainably sourced refreshments to enhance the visitor experience. This list is not exhaustive; other activities will be considered subject to suitability.

The tender process will remain open until Monday 8 April, after which an evaluation will take place. Contracts are anticipated to be awarded in early summer 2024.

To receive the tender pack and to submit a completed tender document, contact Waterways Ireland by email at [email protected]. Queries about the tender pack can also be directed to this email address.

Boating enthusiasts converged on Shannon Harbour on Saturday (2 March) to view the 16 boats being auctioned by Waterways Ireland after their removal from the inland waterways.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, offers may be submitted until noon on Friday 15 March for each of the vessels which come in variable size, style and condition.

According to RTÉ News, previous offers have ranged from as low as €50 to as much as €8,000.

And with the growth in popularity of boat restoration projects, these unloved vessels may fetch higher prices than expected.

RTÉ News has more on the story HERE.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System in Northern Ireland that a section of the navigation channel will be closed between the Killyhevlin Hotel and the Ardhowen for NIE works on the overhead power lines on Tuesday 5 March from 10am to 4pm.

Masters of vessels are advised to adhere to all signage and direction of safety boats, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Erne System in Northern Ireland that the Erne Eights Head of the River rowing race will take place this Saturday 2 March.

The event will start upstream of the Killyhevlin Hotel and will race through to Enniskillen Royal Boat Club.

Rowing boats and craft will be on the water from 9am to 5pm. There will be around 80 rowing crews participating in the event. The downstream sections of the Round ‘O’ jetty will be closed for the duration.

Masters of vessels should adhere to all instructions given by race marshals on the day and keep the race course clear, especially during racing.

Masters of vessels are also asked to keep wash to minimum when passing rowing crews and race marshals, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Clarendon Lock in Knockvicar, Co Roscommon will be closed this Wednesday 28 February from 9am to 5pm due to a planned ESB power outage in the area.

Waterways Ireland proposes to dispose, by public tender, of a number of vessels removed from the inland waterways under its purview.

Sixteen vessels are presently stored by Waterways Ireland at Shannon Harbour, Co Offaly on the Grand Canal. All vessels may be inspected (externally only) between 11am and 3pm next Saturday 2 March.

All vessels are sold as seen, intended as obsolete items. Lots will be sold as individual items only, to the highest acceptable tender.

The vessel catalogue and tender submission form are available from the Waterways Ireland website.

Sealed tenders should reach the Assistant Inspector of Navigation at the Inspectorate office, Waterways Ireland, Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly (Tel 057 932 5019) no later than noon on Friday 15 March. Please note only postal submissions will be accepted.

Only successful tenders will be notified by email from the details supplied.

A condition of sale is that vessels be removed from Waterways Ireland property once purchased.

Waterways Ireland will provide a crane to remove vessels from the impound lot. A small sum will be added to each tender to facilitate the crane hire (€100-€150). Bidders must provide their own suitable transport/trailer to remove vessels from the pound.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Erne System in Northern Ireland that the Henry Street Jetties in Enniskillen will be closed this Friday 23 to Saturday 24 February.

This is to accommodate the annual Fishing Tackle and Bait angling open weekend taking place in the Co Fermanagh town, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of all craft on the Shannon-Erne Waterway that repair works will be taking place at Roscarban Bridge in Co Leitrim from Wednesday 14 February until mid-March.

During these works, a mechanical platform will be hung from the side of the bridge by mechanical plant, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

The navigable channel will remain open, but boaters are asked to comply with safety signage and heed all instructions from safety personnel who will be in the area.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that the installation of lighting on the underside of Carrick-on-Shannon bridge arches will take place between Monday 19 and Friday 23 February, with works to take place between 10am to 3pm daily.

The contractor will be using a mobile under-bridge hoist vehicle. One lane of the bridge will be closed during these hours and a stop/go traffic management plan will be in place for traffic crossing the bridge.

Masters of vessels should proceed with additional caution during these works and comply with the instructions of onsite safety staff, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland is seeking planning permission for a five-year programme of maintenance works along the Barrow Navigation at townlands throughout counties Carlow, Laois and Kildare.

The proposed works will consist of essential maintenance and repair of the navigation assets and will include dredging, back-drain maintenance, and towpath and bank repairs.

Waterways Ireland says it seeks to improve the assets along the Barrow Navigation, which is a nationally important recreation and navigation corridor and also has a unique heritage and biodiversity value.

The Barrow Navigation features many bridges, locks and buildings that are protected structures and/or national monuments, and the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says its works will seek to protect these structures as well as the natural, cultural and amenity potential of the corridor to ensure the continued use and accessibility for all users.

Following validation, the planning documents will be publicly available on the three councils’ planning portals. Waterways Ireland encourages the public and interested parties to familiarise themselves with the documents and submit potential feedback to the councils.

Gerard Bayly, senior engineer on the Barrow with Waterways Ireland said: “The Barrow Navigation is a nationally important heritage corridor comprising a rich tapestry of natural, built and cultural assets.

“At Waterways Ireland, our goal is to ensure we can provide safe and sustainable experiences for all users of our waterways.

“We seek to maintain the heritage and biodiversity of Ireland’s waterways while providing a high-quality navigation and recreation offering, for the benefit of all.”