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Displaying items by tag: Erne System

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that the newer Muckross slipway and adjacent jetty will be closed for two weeks from Thursday 3 November for refurbishment works. During this time, the older slipway and jetty at Muckross will remain open.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and water users that the Shannon Navigation, Erne System, Barrow Navigation and Northern Ireland’s River Bann are currently experiencing high water levels which are expected to continue to rise.

All users of these inland waterways should proceed with additional caution and bear the following in mind:

  • 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, jetties may be submerged.
  • Mooring lines should checked regularly if it safe to do so.
Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System in Northern Ireland that the power bollards at the Round ‘O’ jetty and at Carrybridge will be isolated on Friday 4 November for the winter period.

Power will be reconnected at the start of the 2023 boating season, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland wishes to inform masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that works will commence on Monday 24 October to refurbish the walkway connecting the car park to the floating jetty at Geaglum on Upper Lough Erne.

The floating jetty will remain available for mooring. However, the walkway will be closed for the duration of the works and subsequently access to the car park for boaters will not be available.

The works are expected to last approximately three weeks, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Erne System that site investigation works are continuing at the East Jetty on Devenish Island in Co Fermanagh from Monday 17 to this Friday 21 October.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, part of the public jetty is closed to mooring and a works exclusion zone is in place as of last week. The remainder of the jetty is still in use, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Erne System that site investigation works will be taking place at the East Jetty on Devenish Island in Co Fermanagh this coming week from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 October. Update: works have been extended to Friday 21 October; see HERE.

Part of the public jetty will be closed to mooring and a works exclusion zone will be in place. The remainder of the jetty will be in use, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters and users of the Erne System that the channel east of Castle Island, Enniskillen will be closed from Monday 4 July to the end of September to create a water activity area.

The designated area will be clearly marked by floating buoys. Access to Castle Museum Jetty will be maintained when approaching from the north of Castle Island.

Mariners should use the navigation channel to the west of Castle Island and proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash adhering to any instructions or displayed signage. Mariners should be aware of small non-motorised craft also operating in the navigation.

Elsewhere in Northern Ireland, masters and users of the Lower Bann are advised that Carnroe Lock remains closed due to ongoing essential repair works.

“As we move towards completion of the remedial works, Waterways Ireland will further advise by means of a Marine Notice on a reopening date,” the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways said.

Updated Monday 4 July: A previous version of this article contained an incorrect link.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that the Castle and Henry St jetties in Enniskillen will be closed for three periods in the upcoming week to facilitate the Erne Classic coarse angling competition in the Co Fermanagh town.

Mooring will not be permitted at these jetties on Monday 9 May between 7am and 7pm, Wednesday 11 May between 7am and 7pm, and Friday 13 May between 7am and 5pm.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System that works to reduce river bed levels on the approach to Bellanaleck Slipway are ongoing as of 7am this morning (Monday 25 April) until 6pm tomorrow (Tuesday 26 April).

During this time the slipway, one half of the floating jetty and the area of water between the public jetty and private marina will remain closed for mooring and navigation.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System that remedial works on the entrance to the Round ‘O’ public slipway in Enniskillen are planned from 8am on Tuesday 12 April to 7am on Friday 15 April inclusive. Access to the slipway will not be possible during these works.

Published in Inland Waterways
Page 4 of 6

Ireland & La Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, was originally called the course de l’Aurore until 1980, was created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault.

Half a decade later, the race has created some of France's top offshore sailors, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new boat equipped with foils and almost 50 skippers Including novices, aficionados and six former winners.

The solo multi-stage offshore sailing race is one of the most cherished races in French sailing and one that has had Irish interest stretching back over 20 years due to the number of Irish stopovers, usually the only foreign leg of the French race.

What Irish ports have hosted The Solitaire du Figaro?

The race has previously called to Ireland to the following ports; Dingle, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

What Irish sailors have raced The Solitaire du Figaro?

So far there have been seven Irish skippers to participate in La Solitaire du Figaro. 

In 1997, County Kerry's Damian Foxall first tackled the Figaro from Ireland. His win in the Rookie division in DHL gave him the budget to compete again the following year with Barlo Plastics where he won the final leg of the race from Gijon to Concarneau. That same year a second Irish sailor Marcus Hutchinson sailing Bergamotte completed the course in 26th place and third Rookie.

In 2000, Hutchinson of Howth Yacht Club completed the course again with IMPACT, again finishing in the twenties.

In 2006, Paul O’Riain became the third Irish skipper to complete the course.

In 2013, Royal Cork's David Kenefick raised the bar by becoming a top rookie sailor in the race. 

In 2018, for the first time, Ireland had two Irish boats in the offshore race thanks to Tom Dolan and Joan Mulloy who joined the rookie ranks and kept the Irish tricolour flying high in France. Mulloy became the first Irish female to take on the race.

Tom Dolan in Smurfit Kappa competed for his third year in 2020 after a 25th place finish in 2019. Dolan sailed a remarkably consistent series in 2020 and took fifth overall, the best finish by a non-French skipper since 1997 when Switzerland’s Dominique Wavre finished runner up. Dolan wins the VIVI Trophy.

Dolan finished 10th on the first stage, 11th on the second and seventh into Saint Nazaire at the end of the third stage. Stage four was abandoned due to lack of wind. 

Also in 2020, Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball became the eleventh Irish sailor to sail the Figaro.

At A Glance – Figaro Race

  • It starts in June or July from a French port.
  • The race is split into four stages varying from year to year, from the length of the French coast and making up a total of around 1,500 to 2,000 nautical miles (1,700 to 2,300 mi; 2,800 to 3,700 km) on average.
  • Over the years the race has lasted between 10 and 13 days at sea.
  • The competitor is alone in the boat, participation is mixed.
  • Since 1990, all boats are of one design.

2023 La Solitaire du Figaro Course

Stage #1 Caen – Kinsale : 610 nautical miles
Departure August 27 (expected arrival August 30)

Stage #2 Kinsale – Baie de Morlaix : 630 nautical miles
Departure September 3 (expected arrival September 6)

Stage #3 Baie de Morlaix – Piriac-sur-Mer : 620 nautical miles
Departure September 10 (expected arrival September 13)

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