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Displaying items by tag: Grand Canal

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.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal that it will be carrying out maintenance works on a damaged section of the north quay wall in Shannon Harbour.

Works will begin on Monday 25 September and will last around seven weeks until mid November, from 9am to 5pm each day.

A section of the harbour wall will be closed off to boat users during this time.

The access road to the north of Shannon Harbour will also be closed to public traffic and only local traffic will be permitted access.

Water levels in Shannon Harbour may have to be lowered for a time to allow these works to be completed, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and waterways users that the Grand Canal’s Circular Line in Dublin (Lock C1 through to Lock C7) is now reopened.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Circular Line had been closed to navigation due to fallen trees across the canal in the aftermath of Storm Betty in mid August.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal that it will be carrying out underwater structural inspections of the north and south quay walls in Shannon Harbour this coming week.

Divers will be in the water between Griffith Bridge and the 35th Lock on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September (rescheduled from Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 September) between 9am and 5pm each day. An Alpha Flag (Divers Flag) will be flown to indicate the divers’ presence.

Waterways Ireland says it will be required to move vessels for the inspection and will return boats to their original positions when completed.

Boat owners are advised to check mooring lines of their boats after the work is completed, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of all craft on the Grand Canal that the lifting bridge at Monasterevin on the Barrow Line will be closed for canal traffic on Thursday 24 August only to facilitate emergency road repairs. The bridge will return to normal operations on Friday 25 August.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and waterways users that the Grand Canal’s Circular Line in Dublin (Lock C1 through to Lock C7) is currently closed to navigation due to fallen trees across the canal in the aftermath of Storm Betty at the weekend.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways did not provide a timeframe for the line’s reopening but said it “apologies for any inconvenience caused”.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal in Co Tipperary that the waterway will be closed from Campbell’s Bridge in Ballycommon adjacent to Lock 21 as far as Lock 22 for a short period before and after noon on Tuesday 25 July.

This temporary closure is to facilitate the removal of the RTÉ mast at Ballycommon. The towpath and navigation will be closed from 10.30am to 1pm and there will be an exclusion zone around the work site, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Published in Inland Waterways

The iconic Four Pots structure located alongside the Grand Canal towpath between the Leinster Aqueduct and Digby Bridge in Co Kildare has been restored to its former glory thanks to an initiative involving Waterways Ireland and the Historic Structures Fund, which is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Built originally as an overflow, the Four Pots is the only remaining structure of its kind on the Island of Ireland and was constructed to facilitate the building of the Leinster Aqueduct, which was completed in 1783. Its purpose was to maintain canal water levels to facilitate the movement of vessels and discharge surplus water to a stream beyond the canal bank. Unfortunately, no records regarding the design, construction, or operation of the Four Pots remain, but research undertaken on related features and analysis of the site itself has allowed the system to be better understood, despite having not been used for its intended purpose for centuries.

The Four Pots structure prior to restorationThe Four Pots structure prior to restoration

The project was an initiative of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan, which matched grant funding of €50,000 from the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). The HSF is a built heritage funding scheme administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which works in partnership with property owners and the 31 local authorities to protect our built heritage by providing grant assistance to a wide range of heritage structures, including castles, churches, mills, and bridges.

Work first began on the recently completed project in late 2022 with conservation architects, ABGC and 7L Architects, and contractor, Oldstone Conservation Ltd.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan said: "It is wonderful to see the successful completion of this unique restoration project thanks to the help of the Historic Structures Fund in conjunction with the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan. The Four Pots is a truly unique structure with a fascinating history dating all the way back to the eighteenth century. A marvel of engineering in its day, it's a hidden gem that serves as a perfect example of the rich built heritage that often surrounds us in our everyday lives and must be protected for future generations to enjoy."

John McDonagh, Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland: "We are delighted to continue our investment in our shared inland waterways heritage. The restoration works at the Four Pots on the Grand Canal, a unique structure on the inland of Ireland, was made possible through collaboration with the Historic Structures Fund as well as match-funding through our Heritage Plan. As custodians, we are passionate about the protection and promotion of heritage, ensuring it can be enjoyed by our stakeholders as well as generations of future waterway users."

Published in Inland Waterways
Tagged under

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise users of the Grand Canal in Dublin city centre that the north-bank towpath between Locks C3 and C4, at Huband Bridge and Wilton Terrace respectively, will be closed for approximately two weeks for maintenance works beginning this Tuesday 6 June.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users that Lock 3 on the main line of the Grand Canal at Inchicore in Dublin has been reopened after the early completion of emergency repair works on the lock gates.

Published in Inland Waterways
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Royal Irish Yacht Club - Frequently Asked Questions

The Royal Irish Yacht Club is situated in a central location in Dun Laoghaire Harbour with excellent access and visiting sailors can be sure of a special welcome. The clubhouse is located in the prime middle ground of the harbour in front of the town marina and it is Dun Laoghaire's oldest yacht club. 

What's a brief history of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The yacht club was founded in 1831, with the Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo being its first Commodore. 

John Skipton Mulvany designed the clubhouse, which still retains a number of original architectural features since being opened in 1851.

It was granted an ensign by the Admiralty of a white ensign with the Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Ireland beneath the Union Jack in canton.

Many prominent names feature among the past members of the Club. The first Duke of Wellington was elected in 1833, followed by other illustrious men including the eccentric Admiral Sir Charles Napier, Sir Dominic Corrigan the distinguished physician, Sir Thomas Lipton, novelist, George A. Birmingham, yachtsman and author, Conor O'Brien, and famous naval historian and author, Patrick O Brian. 

In the club's constitution, it was unique among yacht clubs in that it required yacht owners to provide the club's commodore with information about the coast and any deep-sea fisheries they encountered on all of their voyages.

In 1846, the club was granted permission to use the Royal prefix by Queen Victoria. The club built a new clubhouse in 1851. Despite the Republic of Ireland breaking away from the United Kingdom, the Royal Irish Yacht Club elected to retain its Royal title.

In 1848, a yachting trophy called "Her Majesty's Plate" was established by Queen Victoria to be contested at Kingstown where the Royal Irish Yacht Club is based. The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland at the time, George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon suggested it should be contested by the Royal Irish Yacht Club and the Royal St. George Yacht Club in an annual regatta, a suggestion that was approved by both clubs with the Royal St. George hosting the first competitive regatta.

The RIYC celebrated its 185th Anniversary in 2016 with the staging of several special events in addition to being well represented afloat, both nationally and internationally. It was the year the club was also awarded Irish Yacht Club of the Year as Afloat's W M Nixon details here.

The building is now a listed structure and retains to this day all its original architectural features combined with state of the art facilities for sailors both ashore and afloat.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's emblem?

The Club's emblem shows a harp with the figure of Nice, the Greek winged goddess of victory, surmounted by a crown. This emblem has remained unchanged since the foundation of the Club; a symbol of continuity and respect for the history and tradition of the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's ensign?

The RIYC's original white ensign was granted by Royal Warrant in 1831. Though the Royal Irish Yacht Club later changed the ensign to remove the St George's Cross and replace the Union Jack with the tricolour of the Republic of Ireland, the original ensign may still be used by British members of the Royal Irish Yacht Club

Who is the Commodore of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The current Commodore is Jerry Dowling, and the Vice-Commodore is Tim Carpenter.

The RIYC Flag Officers are: 

What reciprocal club arrangements does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have?  

As one of Ireland's leading club's, the Royal Irish Yacht Club has significant reciprocal arrangements with yacht clubs across Ireland and the UK, Europe, USA and Canada and the rest of the World. If you are visiting from another Club, please have with a letter of introduction from your Club or introduce yourself to the Club Secretary or to a member of management staff, who will show you the Club's facilities.

What car parking does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have at its Dun Laoghaire clubhouse?

The RIYC has car parking outside of its clubhouse for the use of its members. Paid public car parking is available next door to the club at the marina car park. There is also paid parking on offer within the harbour area at the Coatl Harbour (a 5-minute walk) and at an underground car park adjacent to the Royal St. George Yacht Club (a 3-minute walk). Look for parking signs. Clamping is in operation in the harbour area.

What facilities does the Royal Irish Yacht Clubhouse offer? 

The Royal Irish Yacht Club offers a relaxed, warm and welcoming atmosphere in one of the best situated and appointed clubhouses in these islands. Its prestige in yachting circles is high and its annual regatta remains one of the most attractive events in the sailing calendar. It offers both casual and formal dining with an extensive wine list and full bar facilities. The Club caters for parties, informal events, educational seminars, themed dinners and all occasions. The RIYC has a number of venues within the Club each of which provides a different ambience to match particular needs.

What are the Royal Irish Yacht Club's Boathouse facilities?

The RIYC boathouse team run the launch service to the club's swinging moorings, provide lifting for dry-sailed boats, lift and scrub boats, as well as maintaining the fabric of the deck, pontoon infrastructure, and swinging moorings. They also maintain the club crane, the only such mobile crane of the Dun Laoghaire Yacht Clubs.

What facilities are offered for junior sailing at the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

One of the missions of the Royal Irish Yacht Club is to promote sailing as a passion for life by encouraging children and young adults to learn how to sail through its summer courses and class-specific training throughout the year. 

RIYC has an active junior section. Its summer sailing courses are very popular and the club regularly has over 50 children attending courses in any week. The aim is for those children to develop lifelong friendships through sailing with other children in the club, and across the other clubs in the bay.
 
Many RIYC children go on to compete for the club at regional and national championships and some have gone on to represent Ireland at international competitions and the Olympic Regatta itself.
 
In supporting its young sailors and the wider sailing community, the RIYC regularly hosts junior sailing events including national and regional championships in classes such as the Optmist, Feva and 29er.
 
Competition is not everything though and as the club website states:  "Many of our junior sailors have gone on the become sailing instructors and enjoy teaching both in Ireland and abroad.  Ultimately, we take most pleasure from the number of junior sailors who become adult sailors and enjoy a lifetime of sailing with the club".