Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal that ground investigation works have commenced Phase 2 of the Grand Canal Greenway between Sallins and Lowtown in northeast Co Kildare.

These Kildare County Council works started on Tuesday 18 April and are expected to last for approximately eight weeks.

The towpaths shall mostly remain open for public use for the duration of the works but intermittent closures will be necessary during trial hole excavations.

Advance warning signage will be erected on the towpath to warn the public of any closure. Boat navigation will not be affected, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal in Dublin that the waterway between Lock 5 at Kylemore Road and Grand Canal Dock will be closed from Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 April inclusive to facilitate the visit of US President Joe Biden to Ireland this week.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal in Dublin that works to Camden Lock in Grand Canal Dock will commence on Monday 3 April.

This will involve the lowering of the water level in Grand Canal Dock by approximately 400mm to accommodate the works on the sea lock.

Water levels were gradually lowered during past week commencing Monday 27 March and will remain low for a period of eight weeks.

Masters of vessels should contact Waterways Ireland prior to undertaking passage in Grand Canal Dock during the works, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal at Tullamore, Co Offaly that canal works between Lock 26 and Lock 27 will take place in the week starting Monday 27 March.

The water level on the Grand Canal between Lock 26 and Lock 27 will be lowered. All vessels between these locks — including the branch line to Tullamore Harbour — should relocated from that canal level by Monday.

Navigation through Tullamore on the Grand Canal will be restricted from Monday 27 until Friday 31 March, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Masters of vessels should contact Waterways Ireland prior to undertaking passage on the Grand Canal in this area during the works.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal in Dublin that jetty repair works between Lock C4 and Lock C5 will commence on Monday 3 April and continue for around eight weeks.

The water level on the Grand Canal between these locks will be lowered to accommodate the repair works.

Masters of vessels should contact Waterways Ireland prior to undertaking passage on the Grand Canal east or west of Wilton Terrace during these works, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

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”.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal in the Dublin area that construction of the greenway is ongoing and will necessitate lowering of water levels west of the city from this weekend.

Following recent works between Lock 13 and Lock 14, the water level between Lock 12 at Lucan Road and Lock 13 at Ardclough will be lowered by 200mm for a period of two weeks from Friday 3 March.

This is to accommodate stone works under Aylmer’s Bridge in Kearneystown as part of the ongoing Kildare County Council Phase 1 Greenway works, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

This year, Waterways Ireland’s partnership with the St Patrick’s Festival will celebrate the beloved Dublin canals as one of 10 showpiece performances in the capital’s St Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday 17 March.

With half a million spectators expected to line this year’s route, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it’s proud to showcase and celebrate the history, heritage and recreational vibrancy of the Dublin canals as integral parts of Ireland’s culture.

As the parade passes by look out for ‘Uiscebhéal’, a performance inspired by the values of sustainability and community that will highlight the role of the Grand Canal and Royal Canal in the life of the city.

John McDonagh, Waterways Ireland chief executive said: “Our treasured historic canals are familiar welcoming places for generations, spaces for recreation, inspiration for artists and a sanctuary where nature can survive and thrive.

“It is a pleasure to have worked with the St Patrick’s Festival team to recognise the significance of the Royal and Grand canals in Dublin through this wonderful performance.”

Richard Tierney, St Patrick’s Festival CEO added: “Our partnership with Waterways Ireland celebrates some of the most intrinsic and loved parts of Dublin and Ireland, we are thrilled to shine a light on the usage of the canals and the many ways we can all enjoy these great amenities.”

The St Patrick’s Festival takes place in Dublin and nationwide from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 March.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal that construction of the greenway is ongoing as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

As part of these works, water levels on the canal will be lowered by 400mm in northeast Co Kildare between Lock 13 at Ardclough and Lock 14 at Devonshire Bridge from Monday 20 February for a period of six weeks.

Waters are being lowered to accommodate greenway works under Henry Bridge, Ponsonby Bridge and Devonshire Bridge.

Further notices will be issued in due course to provide updates as the works progress, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland and Dublin City Council have launched a new study that considers the outdoor recreation opportunities of the Grand Canal and its towpaths and land resources in Dublin’s south central area.

The jointly commissioned report by Irish Leisure Consultants, titled The Grand Canal Recreation Activation and Animation: Portobello to Kylemore Road, is informed by the views and knowledge of local communities and stakeholders as well as the ambitions of national and local strategies and plans.

The area in question has limited on-water activity at present, even though it has one of the longest stretches of the canal in the city with no navigation locks.

The Grand Canal and its towpaths represent a significant opportunity to unlock the potential of this inland waterway asset for local communities, Dubliners and visitors to the city.

The consultation process identified positive, strong and diverse connections among residents and communities with this section of the Grand Canal, including recreational uses, environmental stewardship, heritage, and active travel. The report emphasises the importance of balancing of opportunities and responsibilities to increase quality of life and provide for a diverse range of needs and interests.

The report also recommends a collaborative approach, with an initial programme of community-based activities and leadership training to enhance a sense of place and develop perceptions and engagement with the canal, followed by the physical development of a series of links, nodes and zones along the canal.

In spring and summer this year, the project partners say they will work with local stakeholders to pilot a number of on-water activities and explore sustainable initiatives to unlock the potential of the city’s Grand Canal.