Waterways Ireland has extended the public consultation on proposed bye-law changes for the canals and Shannon Navigation, with a second phase of public consultation also added to facilitate further engagement with the public and stakeholders.

The initial consultation period (phase 1) has been extended to Friday 27 October, having originally been due to close this past Monday 2 October.

Following the initial consultation period, Waterways Ireland will review all submissions during November and December 2023. It says it will then “endeavour to proactively and equitably deal with legitimate matters of concern raised during the initial public consultation process, publish its consultation document and re-issue amended draft bye-laws”.

Phase 2 of the public consultation will then run from 15 January to 26 February next year. This phase of the process will offer all stakeholders an opportunity to consider the modifications to the proposed revised bye0laws.

Thereafter, Waterways Ireland says it will consider all new feedback received “to best address the views of all stakeholders and ultimately, update bye-laws which are undisputedly out of date and unfit for purpose”.

It adds that there will be no changes to the existing bye-laws, permits or charges/fees until revised bye-laws are approved.

Waterways Ireland encourages everyone to read the draft bye-laws and to participate in the public consultation, and is keen to hear from anglers, boaters, cyclists, paddle-sport enthusiasts, runners, walkers, members of communities along the inland waterways and the public at large.

The draft bye-laws can be found on waterwaysireland.org and in local libraries along the waterways corridors.

Submissions to the public consultation can be made through the online survey on the website, by email to [email protected] and by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, Dock Rd, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37 RW26.

The proposed changes relate to the Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws (including the River Shannon, Shannon-Erne Waterway, River Finn and Ulster Canal) and Canal Bye-Laws (including the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation).

Waterways Ireland advises masters that the winter mooring period for public harbours on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway will commence on Wednesday 1 November and will end on 31 March next year.

Masters wishing to avail of winter mooring are required to pay the winter mooring fee of €63.50 prior to 1 November. Online registration must be made on the Waterways Ireland website.

The steps in the winter mooring process are as follows:

1. Apply online for winter mooring at a specific harbour.
2. Receive email approval/rejection/alternative location of application.
3. Follow link on approval email when received to pay winter mooring fee online.

Masters are reminded that Bye-Law 17, the ‘five consecutive days/seven days in one month’ rule, continues to apply for masters not availing of winter mooring.

Waterways Ireland will be disconnecting its electricity supply points and water supply at public moorings for the winter period (November–March). Both services will be reinstated prior to the commencement of the 2024 boating season.

Owners should note that vessels are moored in public harbours at the owners risk at all times and may be directed to other harbours as operational exigencies require.

In other news, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways advises that two green conical aids to navigation — No 1248 upstream of Parteen Weir and No 500 upstream of Lanesboro Bridge — are currently off station. Mariners are requested to exercise care when navigating in these area.

Meanwhile, in Dromod Harbour in Co Leitrim the pump-out station is now fully operational.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that Locks 9 to 14 on the Shannon-Erne Waterway will be out of service on Thursday 5 October from 9.30am to 4pm due to a planned ESB power outage.

No lock passage by boat will be possible during this period, but it is expected that normal service will resume at 4pm, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that essential repair works will be taking place at Lock 22 at Cappyroe Bridge in Co Offaly until this Friday 6 October.

Due to these works, navigation will not be possible through the area during this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland’s ‘Waterways Through Time’ podcast received the bronze prize at the 20th Irish Digital Media Awards in the highly competitive Best Podcast category.

The awards, which spotlight the very best work in the Irish digital media industry, took place last Friday 29 September at the Clayton Burlington Hotel in Dublin.

Two podcast series have been developed to take listeners on a journey through the curiosities and historical insights of Ireland’s inland waterways, delving into the Guinness barges and their role on the canals, while also sharing the stories from lock-keepers on the Barrow Navigation, the Shannon and the Grand Canal.

Waterways Through Time complements other resources in the Waterways Ireland digital archive. Chief executive John McDonagh said: “Ireland has a rich inland water heritage. Through this podcast we are placing this heritage centre stage to perpetuate these unique and inspiring insights.

“Waterways Ireland has a wonderful digital archive featuring thousands of drawings, sketches, and records of the Irish inland waterways, dating from the 18th century to the present day. The podcast series complements our oral history programme and the Stories from the Waterways film series, which are available on the Waterways Ireland website. We encourage people of all ages to listen to these podcasts and to visit our digital archive, which will add to their enjoyment of our waterways.”

The podcast series was developed and presented by well-known historian Turtle Bunbury. He said: “The series contains a mix of stories, historical events and contemporary interviews with people associated with the waterways. This was a fascinating project on which to work. It was truly a pleasure to research and develop it.

“Chatting to those connected to the waterways and weaving together the various myths, legends and historical facts to tell the stories of the waterways has been a wonderful experience that gives a new perspective on our inland waterway heritage.”

The podcast series is now available on the Waterways Ireland Digital Archive and on all podcast platforms.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that the FEARmanagh endurance adventure race will be taking place this Saturday 30 September 2023.

The multisport event — involving running, cycling and kayaking — will utilise Magho Jetty on Lower Lough Erne, which will be temporarily closed to mooring boats from 8am on Friday 29 September to 5pm on Saturday 30 September.

Vessels operating in the area should be aware of safety boats and kayaks operating on the water in the vicinity of Magho Jetty from 8am to 2pm on Saturday.

Masters of vessels and inland waterways users are advised to proceed with additional caution, to be aware of small non-motorised craft involved in the event and to comply with the instructions of safety boats.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that Offaly Rowing Club will be holding time trials between Locks 23 and 24 this Saturday 30 September.

The event will take place between 8am and 4pm. The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways asks users of the navigation and adjacent greenway to follow the directions given by the event marshals on the day.

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 is concluding its jetty upgrade works in Leitrim village, and advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon-Erne Waterway of the following:

• The public jetty fronting the Marina Apartments in Leitrim village will reopen for mooring this Friday 29 September.
• The public jetty and car park at the service block in Leitrim village will be closed on Thursday 28 September to facilitate demobilisation of floating plant and equipment.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it regrets any inconvenience that this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal that as part of the Green WIN project (more HERE), new deep well and flow devices are to be installed at Locks 35 and 36 at Shannon Harbour.

These works are due to begin Monday 25 September and will continue for around eight weeks, until mid-to-late November.

The works are land-based and navigation through the locks will not be affected, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.