Inland waterways boat owners are advised that the public mooring jetty at Lustymore Island on Lower Lough Erne will be closed to the public for construction works for approximately three weeks from Monday 17th May 2010. For further details please contact the Lough Erne Warden on +44 (0)28 6632 2836

 

Waterways Ireland has released three new publications which will provide much assistance to waterway and waterside visitors to Ireland’s Inland Waterways throughout the year.

The Waterways Ireland What’s On Guide, promotes a series of events happening alongside as well as on the waterways throughout the year. With 128 entries from fun fairs to Come and Try it Events, historical events and boat rallies, there is a huge range of activity to pick from. Waterways Ireland through the Sponsorship Programme has supported a significant proportion of the community and local activity taking place as well as some of the high profile events such as the Waterways Ireland European TriAthlone 3-4 July, Waterways Ireland Riverfest 3-4 July and Waterways Ireland Loughfest 26-27 June.

Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications for Waterways Ireland said ‘A Taste of the Waterways guide to hand, will ensure you find all the best pubs and restaurants along the waterways. You don’t have to set foot in a boat to enjoy the hospitality along our waterways, but it would be a pity to miss out’. The guide , A Taste of the Waterways, written jointly by Georgina Campbell and boating expert W. M. Nixon and published in association with Waterways Ireland. This independently assessed 68-page guide leads visitors along all of our navigable waterways, and to nearly 100 great hostelries and restaurants sprinkled from Limerick up the mighty Shannon via Lough Derg, Lough Ree and the Shannon-Erne Waterway, to Lough Erne; and from Dublin out west along the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal and southwards to the beautiful River Barrow.

The Waterways Ireland Publications Catalogue containing 30 books and DVDs available to order from Waterways Ireland. The range includes both free and pay-for publications with broad appeal to a wide variety of recreational users of the inland navigations. This new edition includes a feature on Waterways Ireland's new on-line ordering facility.

All three publications are free and available from Tourist Information Centres and Visitor Attractions along the waterways, and is also distributed to over 60 hotels. It is also downloadable from www.waterwaysireland.org.

 

Waterways Ireland have reminded users of the Grand Canal that as part of ongoing developments at Shannon Harbour, the provisions of S.I No. 24/1988: Canals Act, 1986 Bye-law (25, 1 (d)) will be applied on all hard edged moorings in the harbour area with effect from 08 May 2010.  This area is deemed to be between 35th Lock and Griffith Bridge. 

This will ensure that there is a clear channel for navigation at all times and will make for easy access to berthage by visiting vessels wishing to avail of the refurbished facilitates.

Vessels should only moor directly onto quay walls and not double or triple berth.  Alternative berthing is available east of Griffith Bridge.

Vessels should only be moored singly on either side of the canal to permit the safe passage of craft.  Bye-law (25, 1 (b) states that sufficient space must remain so that two vessels can pass at the same time.  Berthage is also available on the north bank between 35th and 36th Lock.

Vessels in contravention of this bye-law will be moved off the area as space becomes available. Vessels without a valid permit will also be moved. 

Minister for Natural Resources Conor Lenihan today announced details of five of the nominees to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland. The Minister confirmed that he has asked these nominees to work with the CEO designate of Inland Fisheries Ireland to advance the preparations for the changeover to the new structures which are expected to be in place by 1 July.
 
“I am hopeful that the nominees to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland will assist in ensuring a smooth transition to the new organisation and that this will enable Inland Fisheries Ireland to quickly get into its stride once it is established”, said Minister Lenihan.
 
The nominees are:
 
Mr. Brendan O’Mahony – Chair
Ms. Lily Collinson
Mr. Andrew Duncan
Mr. Lal Faherty
Dr. Frances E. Lucy
 
Reflecting on the dedication and commitment shown by the outgoing members of the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards, the Minister said, “One must not forget the important work done by the existing boards over the past 30 years. There is no question as to the commitment and dedication which has been shown by the members of those boards during their tenure and they should be proud of the role they have played in protecting and developing this valuable resource of the State”.
 
In recognition of the need for and value of stakeholder participation in the sector, the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009 provides for the establishment of a national inland fisheries forum which will facilitate those who wish to make a contribution to the future development of the resource. The Minister added “I hope that the expertise of former board members will be captured in the changeover to the new structures and that they will continue to play an important role in this area through involvement in the national inland fisheries forum”.
     

The date of the Inland Waterways Association Ireland (IWAI) AGM has been changed due to circumstances beyond control. IWAI Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, 30th April, 2010 at 8pm in Lough Ree Yacht Club, Athlone Co. Westmeath.

Waterways Ireland advises Masters and Owners of reduced draft below weir level at moorings in Limerick as follows;

Custom House Quay

0.5m at inside moorings

1.3m at outside moorings

Arthur Quay Moorings

1.2m

 

The Launch of the Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival takes place yesterday Friday 23 April 2010 in advance of the competition which runs from Sunday 25 April to Friday 30 April 2010. This year’s Classic Fishing Festival is the 35th anniversary event, cumulatively hosting over 12,250 anglers. Though it must be said most of them have come year after year, in total they have spent over £17,500,000 in the Lakeland County since 1976.

The 2010 event welcomes competitors at a reception taking place on Sunday 25 April, with the competition begins on Monday 26 April and the Festival closes with a Gala Farewell and Prize Presentation on Friday 30th April.

The Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival is the main event of the Fermanagh match fishing season and attracts up to 250 anglers from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, Austria and even further afield.

Over the five days, anglers will compete for prizes worth more than £20,000, with section and daily prizes on offer along with aggregate prizes. The “Classic Competition” takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the “King of the Erne”, organised by the local Erne Anglers Angling Club, completing the Festival on Tuesday and Thursday.

Among the 250 eager anglers lining up at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum on Monday morning will be last year’s winner, Andrew Chapman from Ballybay, Co Monaghan. He is to be joined by twelve other previous winners, including Kevin Ashurst, who won the Classic in 1978.

Organised by Fermanagh District Council, with assistance from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Festival’s major sponsor for the last seven years has been Waterways Ireland, the navigation authority on the inland waterways of which Lough Erne is one.

Martin Dennany Director of Marketing & Communications Waterways Ireland said’ The Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival is a major joint activity which Waterways Ireland supports in partnership with Fermanagh District Council.

If you’ve never spent a few days lazing around our wonderful inland waterways you just don’t know what you’re missing. It’s a magical world of pottering along, enjoying the wildlife and exploring the unfolding countryside - just sooo relaxing… especially when you have Georgina Campbell’s A Taste of the Waterways guide to hand, to ensure you find all the best pubs and restaurants along the way. You don’t have to set foot in a boat to enjoy the hospitality along our waterways, but it would be a pity to miss out – especially when you have the guidance of a plethora of Waterways Ireland publications and this little gem, written jointly by Georgina Campbell and boating expert W. M. Nixon (sailing Correspondent with the Irish Independent and Contributing Editor of Ireland Afloat magazine).

Published in association with Waterways Ireland, the independently assessed 68-page guide leads visitors along all of our navigable waterways, and to nearly 100 great hostelries and restaurants sprinkled from Limerick up the mighty Shannon via Lough Derg, Lough Ree and the Shannon-Erne Waterway, to Lough Erne; and from Dublin out west along the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal – which also links southwards to the beautiful River Barrow. It’s a world apart and, using this guide and other Waterways Ireland publications such as the ‘What’s On’ guide, you’ll find there’s something for everyone, of all ages.

A Taste of the Waterways is available without charge from Tourist Information Centres and Visitor Attractions along the waterways, and is also distributed to over 60 hotels. To obtain this free publication online, visit www.ireland-guide.com or www.waterwaysireland.org