Waterways Ireland advises users of the Royal Canal between Leixlip and Maynooth that cycleway upgrade works have recently restarted along this stretch of the canal in Co Kildare.

These works will require periodic closures of the canal towpaths in the area over the upcoming period. Signage giving more details of ongoing and upcoming closures will be erected at applicable sites along the route when appropriate.

Navigation passage will generally continue to be possible throughout works though some additional restrictions may apply, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Upgrade works recently commenced at the Dublin city end of the canal, between the North Strand and Phibsborough, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Royal Canal in Dublin city between Locks 1 and 5 (North Strand Road to Phibsborough) that cycleway upgrade works have recently commenced on this stretch of the canal.

This work will require closures of the canal towpaths in the area over the upcoming period throughout the year, in order to facilitate the upgrading works. Diversion signage will be erected on site where applicable.

Any effects on planned navigation passage will be advised but navigation passage will continue to be possible to arrange during works, though some additional restrictions may apply.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways will issue further updates if appropriate, and says it thanks its users for their understanding in this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises arrangements have been made for Iarnród Éireann to open the lifting bridge at Newcomen Bridge on the Royal Canal in Dublin on the following dates and times, if there is demand:

• Sunday 5 May, 9am-1pm (Low water 16:00)
• Saturday 25 May, 9am-1pm (Low water 06:47)
• Tuesday 18 June, 11am-1pm (Low water 15:38)
• Tuesday 16 July, 11am-1pm (Low water 13:58)
• Friday 16 August, 11am-1pm (Low water 15:26)
• Friday 27 September, 11am-1pm (Low water 14:26)

Waterways Ireland’s Eastern Regional Office requires two weeks’ notice from boaters for use of these lifts (Tel: +353 1 868 0148 or [email protected]). Should there not be a demand (minimum two boats) for a particular date, Iarnród Éireann will be notified that the scheduled lift is cancelled.

A maximum number of boats passing will be implemented to keep to the times given above for the planned lifts (16 for the Saturday/Sunday lifts and eight for the weekday lifts). Priority will be given on a first come, first served basis.

On day of lift, boaters and passengers must follow guidance from Waterways Ireland staff about sequence of passage under the bridge and through Lock 1, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of craft wishing to make passage on the Royal Canal in Dublin that a navigation restriction is to be applied to use of Lock 10 for boat passage.

The maximum beam of craft that will be permitted to pass through this lock in Ashtown, west Dublin will now be restricted to 3.5 metres.

This restriction is necessary due to structural checks recently undertaken on the lock, which identified a need for limiting the size of craft that could pass through it.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it thanks its users for their understanding in this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Royal Canal that the lifting bridge at The Downs in Co Westmeath will be closed for canal traffic effective immediately.

This closure is to facilitate emergency repairs due to vandalism. The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says the bridge will return to normal operations on Thursday 12 October.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Royal Canal that a canoe polo event will be taking place in Kilcock Harbour this Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September.

In order to facilitate the event, navigation in this area will be very restricted from 3pm on Friday 15 September to 7pm on Sunday 17 September.

Vessels should move away from any of the moorings in the harbour area for the duration of the event, and will only be able to navigate past the event if allowed to proceed by the event organisers between event activities through a prior arrangement.

Masters of vessels are therefore requested to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the event and to obey any instructions given by event stewards, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

This story was updated on Friday 15 September to reflect the updated dates of the canoe polo event.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Royal Canal that a canoe polo event will be taking place in Kilcock Harbour this Sunday 18 June.

In order to facilitate the event, navigation in this area will be very restricted from 3pm on Saturday 17 June to 7pm on Sunday 18 June.

Vessels should move away from any of the moorings in the harbour area for the duration of the event, and will only be able to navigate past the event if allowed to proceed by the event organisers between event activities through a prior arrangement.

Masters of vessels are therefore requested to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the event and to obey any instructions given by event stewards, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Royal Canal that the following canoe polo events will take place in Mullingar Harbour during the summer months of 2023:

• Junior Canoe Polo Competition - Sunday 21 May
• National Club Championships – 8-9 July
• Overload Canoe Polo Camp – 25-27 August

Masters of vessels are requested to moor outside the harbour area on these dates in order to facilitate the canoe polo events, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of craft wishing to make passage on the Royal Canal in Dublin that a navigation restriction is to be applied to use of the 10th Lock in Ashtown for boat passage.

The maximum beam of craft that will be permitted to pass through this lock will now be restricted to 3.5 metres, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

This restriction is necessary due to structural checks recently undertaken on the lock, which identified a need for limiting the size of craft that could pass through the lock, it adds.

Waterways Ireland reminds all masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal, Royal Canal, Barrow Line and Barrow Navigation that all canal permits expired on 1 November 2022 and must be renewed for 2023.

Permits can be renewed online at the Waterways Ireland website HERE.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways emphasises that vessels with no permit, as required by Bye Law 6(8) of the Canals Act, will be “removed as operationally convenient”.