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Displaying items by tag: CarrickonShannon

Waterways Ireland is notifying all masters of vessels that diving operations will take place at Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday 18 December.

The locations of the diving operations are 1 along the quay wall some 30 metres downstream and upstream of the bridge, and along the quay wall near the boat club.

Masters of vessels and all inland waterways users are requested to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the diving operations.

Published in Inland Waterways

#Rowing: Portadown Regatta enjoyed almost perfect conditions today. A packed programme was run in bright, warm sunshine and on flat water. RBAI beat the host club in one of the top events of the day, the men’s junior 18 eights final, reversing the decision of last year.

Shauna Murtagh of Carrick-on-Shannon beat Kate Crawford of Portadown in the women’s junior 18 single sculls – a first win in a regatta for the 16-year-old daughter of Ireland great Frances Cryan.

The men’s junior 18 single was won by Hugh Moore of Coleraine Grammar School.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: The Head of the Shannon enjoyed good weather and an appreciative crowd at Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday. The timing system encountered some difficulties. Neptune’s junior 18 quadruple were the fastest crew in the first head. The pennant for this class was granted in the second head and Enniskillen took it. The Fermanagh club had a set of wins at junior level, as did Coláiste Iognáid of Galway. Commercial’s junior 16 women’s eight also came out on top.  

Head of the Shannon, Carrick-on-Shannon, Selected Results (Category winners)

Head One

Men

Eight – Jun 16: Col Iognáid. Masters: Neptune (d)

Four – Jun 18, coxed: Enniskillen

Pair – Sen: Galway. Jun 18: Enniskillen

Sculling

Quadruple – Jun 16, coxed: Sligo. Masters: Galway (e). Masters, coxed: Athlone (e).

Double – Sen: Portadown. Masters: City of Derry (d). Jun 18: Enniskillen

Single – Jun 16: Athlone (Carroll)

Women

Eight – Jun 18: Col Iognáid

Four – Club, coxed: Athlone

Sculling, Quadruple – Jun 18: Enniskillen

Double – Club: Carrick-on-Shannon. Jun 16: Commercial

Single – Club: Carrick-on-Shannon (Early). Jun 18: Enniskillen (Fee)

Head Two

Men

Eight, Jun 18: Portadown

Four – Masters, coxed: Athlone (b)

Sculling

Quadruple – Jun 18: Enniskillen

Double – Club: Enniskillen. Jun 16: Enniskillen

Single – Sen: Sligo (G Patterson). Jun 18: Carrick-on-Shannon (Early). Masters: Athlone (Gallen, f)

Women,

Eight

Club: Galway. Jun 16: Commercial. Masters: Tribesmen B (e)

Four – Jun 18: Col Iognáid.

Pair – Jun 18: Col Iognáid

Sculling

Quadruple – Jun 16, coxed: Sligo.

Double – Jun 18: Enniskillen

Single – Club: Carrick-on-Shannon (T Duggan). Jun 16: Carrick-on-Shannon (Murtagh).

Published in Rowing

#Angling - Denis Naughten, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, has officially launched two new angling developments by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) at Emlaghroyan in Roscommon and ‘The Mudflats’ at Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Leitrim.

A new match angling stretch has been provided at Emlaghroyan, on the River Suck in Roscommon, with upgraded car parking and drive-to-peg facilities.

This development involved upgrading existing roadways and the construction of new access roadway.

Ten new match angling pegs have been provided, with a capacity for further extension.

The Suck Valley Angling Hub were recently granted additional funds through the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) to extend the match venue to further promote tourism angling and facilitate match competitions in the Roscommon/East Galway area.

Together with recently unveiled developments on the River Suck at Lough Acalla, the total investment in the River Suck project was €87,000.

In Leitrim, another major 2017 development project has been completed with an investment of €103,000, providing new facilities at ‘The Mudflats’ on the main River Shannon at Carrick-on-Shannon.

The new floating angling stand is accompanied by improved roadways and parking, upgraded toilet facilities and a new slipway.

This is another important match angling venue, used widely for international match angling events such as the World Pairs and the Carrick Angling Festival.

Speaking in Carrick-On-Shannon after the ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday (Friday 1 December), Minister Naughten said: “I am delighted to mark the official opening of these developments today. Both were completed under the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) and greatly enhance the angling infrastructure in both counties. They will provide a boost to angling tourism potential in the region, which in turn should increase visitor numbers.

“Furthermore, these projects would not be possible without the cooperation, agreement and vision of the respective landowners and I would like to thank all those involved for their contribution to these developments.”

More applications from the region are currently going through the NSAD assessment process, and aim to enhance the angling infrastructure in the upper Shannon areas as well as promote participation in angling.

Two weeks ago Minister Naughten unveiled new angling infrastructure in Galway and Athlone, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Published in Angling

#Shannon - RTÉ News reports that the bodies of a man and a woman were recovered from the water at a marina in Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday afternoon (Friday 31 March) just hours after they were reported missing.

The couple, an Irish man and an English woman living in Germany, had been boating in the area since the beginning of the week, and were last seen at a restaurant near the Co Leitrim town’s marina on Wednesday night (29 March). The deaths are being treated as accidental.

Published in News Update

#Rowing - The Carrick-on-Shannon Rowing Regatta will be held on Sunday 31 July on a 400m stretch of the waterway immediately south of the town bridge.

​Hundreds of spectators and competitors are expected at the event, one of the final rowing events of the season, which is supported by Waterways Ireland through its sponsorship programme.

Events begin at 8am and will run till around 6pm. Craft wishing to make a through passage will be facilitated every two hours (approx) during the course of the regatta. Mooring restrictions will apply in Carrick-on-Shannon to facilitate the regatta.

In the interest of marine safety and to facilitate the laying of the competition course, access to the floating moorings will be restricted in the run-up to and during the event itself.

Only vessels of an overall length of 22ft/6.8m or less will be permitted on the floating jetties from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July. Vessels berthed from Friday 29 July at 4pm will be required to remain in place until racing finishes on the Sunday evening.

The floating jetties will be closed off during this time and no vessels should approach as the entrance to the berths will be closed off and manoeuvring room will be severely restricted due to the proximity of the course. Access to the floating jetties will be monitored from Monday 25 July.

Masters are advised to proceed at slow speed and with due caution and to take note of advice from course marshals when passing through the area.

Further information can be had by contacting the Waterways Ireland inspectorate at +353 (0)87 985 2324 or North Shannon operations at +353 (0)71 96 50787.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: The Head of the Shannon, fixed for Carrick-on-Shannon this Saturday, December 5th, has been cancelled. The organisers say that the rising water levels on the river, combined with the forecast for the weekend, has left them with no alternative. The Muckross Head is also scheduled for Saturday, at the National Rowing Centre in Cork.

Published in Rowing

#InlandWaterways - Waterways Ireland has advised all masters and users of the Erne system that the channel east of Castle Island near Enniskillen will be closed till Tuesday 11 June to facilitate a number of events on the water.

Mariners are directed to follow the marked navigation channel and signs to the west of Castle Island and proceed at a slow speed and with minimum wash. They should note any advise or instructions given by event organisers when in this section of the navigation.

Public jetties in the vicinity will remain accessible throughout, though some minor restrictions may be in place as and when required. Further information is available from the Lough Erne warden at 028 6632 3004.

Elsewhere, there will also be restricted mooring for masters and owners on the River Shannon at Carrick-on-Shannon to facilitate spectator viewing of the Carrick 400 event.

On Sunday 2 June the quay wall from the downstream face of the town bridge to the floating moorings will be out of bounds for mooring from 7pm till midnight.

In other waterways news, recent water quality testing has shown the harbour at Kilcock on the Royal Canal to now be within normal bathing water standards.

Published in Inland Waterways

# ROWING: Trinity’s intermediate eight were the fastest crew in the first head at the Carrick-on-Shannon Head of the River today. They had almost eight seconds to spare over the second-placed NUIG intermediate eight.

CARRICK-ON-SHANNON HEAD, SATURDAY
1 Dublin University BC mens intermediate 8+12:48.624:23.5 11:34.9 
2 NUI Galway BC mens intermediate 8+13:12.924:55.6 11:42.7 
6 St. Josephs College RC mens intermediate 8+15:21.527:25.4 12:03.9 
5 Dublin University BC Cmens intermediate 8+15:01.927:36.6 12:34.7 
26 Bann RC mens J16 8+28:55.441:38.9 12:43.5
3 NUI Galway BC mens senior 4-13:42.026:31.0 12:48.9
7 Dublin University BC Dmens intermediate 8+16:05.129:00.2 12:55.1
27 Colaiste Iognaid RC mens J16 8+29:42.042:49.6 13:07.6
4 Dublin University BC mens senior 4-14:04.927:25.8 13:21.0
38 Commercial RC mens J16 4X+36:05.549:31.5 13:25.9
12 Athlone BC - Athlone BC/City of Derry BC (e 457)mens masters 8+19:13.732:43.012:16.313:29.3
30 NUI Galway BC mens novice 4+31:49.245:34.0 13:44.8
9 Colaiste Iognaid RC mens J18A 4+18:10.432:00.8 13:50.4
28 St. Josephs College RC mens J16 8+30:15.944:10.4 13:54.5
13 Lady Victoria BC (f 486)mens masters 8+19:37.133:56.412:40.314:19.3
25 Athlone BC mens J16 8+28:21.242:45.2 14:24.0
15 Athlone BC mens J18A 2X20:52.735:21.2 14:28.4
18 Bann RC mens senior 2-23:16.737:45.3 14:28.6
31 Dublin University BC mens novice 4+32:30.447:03.8 14:33.3
14 Commercial RC mens J18A 2X20:15.234:49.5 14:34.3
34 Commercial RC womens intermediate 4+34:09.048:49.7 14:40.8 
37 NUI Galway BC womens intermediate 2X35:34.450:19.8 14:45.4 
52 Dublin University BC B (Jacques)mens intermediate 1X42:14.757:01.3 14:46.6 
51 Commercial RC B (Yeomans)mens intermediate 1X41:36.156:26.6 14:50.6 
56 Dublin University BC D (Acheson)mens intermediate 1X43:46.958:38.8 14:51.9 
50 Three Castles Rowing Club (Corcoran)mens intermediate 1X41:08.156:00.3 14:52.3 
33 NUI Galway BC womens intermediate 4+33:39.648:37.1 14:57.5 
20 Commercial RC mens senior 2-24:16.039:15.8 14:59.8 
21 Commercial RC Bmens senior 2-24:53.539:55.7 15:02.2 
58 Dublin University BC E (Hughes)mens intermediate 1X44:33.159:45.7 15:12.6 
32 NUI Galway BC Bmens novice 4+33:13.248:27.9 15:14.7Boat tipped
35 NUI Galway BC Bwomens intermediate 4+34:36.449:53.0 15:16.7 
44 Carrick-on-Shannon RC B (Leyden)mens intermediate 1X38:49.854:10.9 15:21.1 
23 Commercial RC womens J18A 4X-26:08.041:30.8 15:22.7 
77 Commercial RC mens J15 2X51:02.906:30.0 15:27.1 
16 Colaiste Iognaid RC mens J18A 2X21:39.637:10.8 15:31.2 
48 Carrick-on-Shannon RC A (Cox) mens intermediate 1X40:10.555:41.7 15:31.2 
8 St. Josephs College RC mens J18A 2X22:16.137:47.7 15:31.7 
17 Commercial RC Bmens J18A 2X22:57.138:33.6 15:36.5 
40 Commercial RC womens novice 8+37:21.352:59.1 15:37.9 
22 Colaiste Iognaid RC womens J18A 4X-25:20.740:59.1 15:38.4 
39 Sligo RC mens J16 4X+36:41.852:27.7 15:45.9 
55 Commercial RC D (Carroll)mens intermediate 1X43:21.859:11.5 15:49.7 
64 Carrick-on-Shannon RC (Carthy)mens J18A 1x46:25.902:15.6 15:49.7 
47 Bann RC (Whoriskey)mens intermediate 1X39:40.955:32.9 15:52.0 
60 Dublin University BC G (Pounch)mens intermediate 1X45:21.901:22.1 16:00.2 
61 Athlone BC mens J15 4X+45:54.201:55.7 16:01.5 
75 Lagan Scullers Club B (b 79)mens masters 2X50:09.506:11.915:54.316:02.3 
24 Athlone BC womens J18A 4X-26:49.342:55.3 16:06.0 
122 St. Michaels Rowing Club (e 230)mens masters 4+27:18.743:32.714:55.016:14.0 
72 Carrick-on-Shannon RC womens J16 2X48:51.805:08.8 16:17.0 
57 Commercial RC E (D'Estelle-Roe)mens intermediate 1X44:08.000:28.9 16:20.9 
59 Dublin University BC F (Mc Cormick)mens intermediate 1X44:55.201:17.7 16:22.4
67 Carrick-on-Shannon RC A (Hartigan) mens J16 1X47:39.004:08.7 16:29.7
41 NUI Galway BC womens novice 8+38:10.754:55.3 16:44.6
73 Colaiste Iognaid RC womens J16 2X49:12.405:57.6 16:45.2
65 Carrick-on-Shannon RC (Kelly)womens J18A 1X46:49.803:43.0 16:53.3
29 St. Josephs College RC Bmens J16 8+31:08.348:14.5 17:06.2
49 Belfast BC (Lockwood)mens intermediate 1X40:35.157:46.3 17:11.2
46 Athlone BC (Molloy)mens intermediate 1X39:16.456:40.8 17:24.4
177 Athlone BC womens J15 2X53:03.310:48.0 17:44.7
69 Commercial RC B (O Rourke)mens J16 1X48:06.505:57.1 17:50.6
74 Sligo RC womens J16 2X49:42.707:36.6 17:53.8
54 Dublin University BC C (Dolan)mens intermediate 1X43:04.701:10.7 18:06.0
70 Carrick-on-Shannon RC B (Jordan)mens J16 1X48:27.406:45.8 18:18.4
76 Lagan Scullers Club A - Belfast RC/Lagan Scullers Club (h 146)mens masters 2X50:39.509:00.614:55.118:21.1
66 Commercial RC A (Byrne) mens J16 1X47:21.005:46.9 18:25.9
10 Dublin University BC mens senior 2X18:21.237:01.2 18:40.0
163 Garda Siochana BC womens novice 4+52:42.611:23.0 18:40.4 
80 Belfast BC (Lockwood) (f 62)womens masters 1X51:53.410:52.116:34.718:58.7Time Only
78 Carrick-on-Shannon RC (Brogan)womens J15 1X51:27.110:44.8 19:17.7
Published in Rowing

ROWING: Carrick Rowing Club are delighted that more than 100 crews have entered the Apollo Duck Head of the Shannon in Carrick on Shannon on Saturday, February 18th. There will be two time trial events on the day with crews racing over a 5km stretch of river from south of Carrick back into town. The finish line and viewing area is situated at the boardwalk where crews will be seen going hard for the last few hundred metres.

 The entry features a great representation from Ulster: Bann, Belfast Rowing Club, Belfast Boat Club, Lagan Scullers, City of Derry and Lady Victoria. Portora Club from Enniskillen are also travelling the shorter distance, as are Sligo Rowing Club. Athlone Rowing Club have entered lots of crews, from Junior 15 boys and girls right through to masters rowers.

From Galway, Tribesmen Rowing Club and St. Joseph’s School are set to travel with many up-and-coming rowers. Commercial, Three Castles and Garda Siochana travel from the east of the country.

 The influx will provide a welcome boost to the local economy at a time when things are generally quiet. Details can be found at the event website www.HeadoftheShannon.com while the club welcomes any offers of help on the day.

Published in Rowing
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Sharks in Irish waters

Irish waters are home to 71 species of shark, skates and rays, 58 of which have been studied in detail and listed on the Ireland Red List of Cartilaginous fish. Irish sharks range from small Sleeper sharks, Dogfish and Catsharks, to larger species like Frilled, Mackerel and Cow sharks, all the way to the second largest shark in the world, the Basking shark. 

Irish waters provide a refuge for an array of shark species. Tralee Bay, Co. Kerry provides a habitat for several rare and endangered sharks and their relatives, including the migratory tope shark, angel shark and undulate ray. This area is also the last European refuge for the extremely rare white skate. Through a European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) project, Marine Institute scientists have been working with fishermen to assess the distribution, diversity, and monthly relative abundance of skates and rays in Tralee, Brandon and Dingle Bays.

“These areas off the southwest coast of Ireland are important internationally as they hold some of the last remaining refuges for angel shark and white skate,” said Dr Maurice Clarke of the Marine Institute. “This EMFF project has provided data confirming the critically endangered status of some species and provides up-to-date information for the development of fishery measures to eliminate by-catch.” 

Irish waters are also home to the Black Mouthed Catshark, Galeus melastomus, one of Ireland’s smallest shark species which can be found in the deep sea along the continental shelf. In 2018, Irish scientists discovered a very rare shark-nursery 200 nautical miles off the west coast by the Marine Institute’s ROV Holland 1 on a shelf sloping to 750 metres deep. 

There are two ways that sharks are born, either as live young or from egg casings. In the ‘case’ of Black Mouthed Catsharks, the nursery discovered in 2018, was notable by the abundance of egg casings or ‘mermaid’s purses’. Many sharks, rays and skate lay eggs, the cases of which often wash ashore. If you find an egg casing along the seashore, take a photo for Purse Search Ireland, a citizen science project focusing on monitoring the shark, ray and skate species around Ireland.

Another species also found by Irish scientists using the ROV Holland 1 in 2018 was a very rare type of dogfish, the Sail Fin Rough Shark, Oxynotus paradoxus. These sharks are named after their long fins which resemble the trailing sails of a boat, and live in the deep sea in waters up to 750m deep. Like all sharks, skates and rays, they have no bones. Their skeleton is composed of cartilage, much like what our noses and ears are made from! This material is much more flexible and lighter than bone which is perfect for these animals living without the weight of gravity.

Throughout history sharks have been portrayed as the monsters of the sea, a concept that science is continuously debunking. Basking sharks were named in 1765 as Cetorhinus maximus, roughly translated to the ‘big-nosed sea monster’. Basking sharks are filter feeders, often swimming with their mouths agape, they filter plankton from the water.

They are very slow moving and like to bask in the sun in shallow water and are often seen in Irish waters around Spring and early Summer. To help understand the migration of these animals to be better able to understand and conserve these species, the Irish Basking Shark Group have tagged and mapped their travels.

Remarkably, many sharks like the Angel Shark, Squatina squatina have the ability to sense electricity. They do this via small pores in their skin called the ‘Ampullae of Lorenzini’ which are able to detect the tiny electrical impulses of a fish breathing, moving or even its heartbeat from distances of over a kilometre! Angel sharks, often referred to as Monkfish have a distinctively angelic shape, with flattened, large fins appearing like the wings of an angel. They live on the seafloor in the coastal waters of Ireland and much like a cat are nocturnal, primarily active at night.

The intricate complexity of shark adaptations is particularly noticeable in the texture of their skin. Composed of miniscule, perfectly shaped overlapping scales, the skin of shark provides them with protection. Often shark scales have been compared to teeth due to their hard enamel structure. They are strong, but also due to their intricate shape, these scales reduce drag and allow water to glide past them so that the shark can swim more effortlessly and silently. This natural flawless design has been used as inspiration for new neoprene fabric designs to help swimmers glide through the water. Although all sharks have this feature, the Leafscale Gulper Shark, Centrophorus squamosus, found in Ireland are specifically named due to the ornate leaf-shape of their scales.