Q. Hi have jus moved to Sallins and was wondering if I can take a dingy out on the Grand Canal and would I need some kind of licence of it, Thanks.

A. In cases like this Waterways Ireland would not require a permit to be taken out but would request that the owner sign the standard indemnity (a section on the permit application form). In the event of an incident at least we have contact details and an indemnity has been signed.
Areas(s) : General Grand Canal Navigation Cruising Canoeing Powerboat Sports

Q. where can I obtain a map showing all the nav., markers on the lower lough?

A. Navigation charts for the Erne System including Lower Lough Erne are available to buy in our headquarters in Enniskillen as well as all regional offices. You can also download our publications listing which includes an order form from our website at http://www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/PublicationsandCharts and use it to order a chart.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Navigation Cruising

Q. i am thinking about buying a crusier for the shannon and would like to know where i can find information on permenant safe moorings in the letrim (carrik on shannon) or belterbut areas but i can not find any information on what annual charges are. Any information or help in where to look would be great

A. Private moorings in the Carrick-on-Shannon area are: Butler's Marina, Carrick-on-Shannon. Tel: +353 (0)1 6610036 or +353 (0)86 2556603. Web: http://www.butlersmarina.com/web/ Albert Marina, Jamestown. Tel: +353 (0)71 9634415 or +353 (0)87 7859148. Private moorings in the Belturbet area are: Quivvy Marina, Belturbet. Tel: +353 (0)49 952 2891 or +353 (0)86 819 6753. Web: http://www.quivvy.com/ The local tourist offices may also have a listing of private marinas in those areas. You should contact the individual companies regarding charges as they may vary from one marina to another.
Areas(s) : General Activities Shannon Navigation Erne System Cruising

Q. I am thinking of buying a cruiser with the idea of cruising the erne/shannon waterway what is the maximum height of a boat which will pass under all the bridges on the entire route as i am looking at a number of flybridges.

A. The airdraft of the Shannon Erne Waterway is 3.2m over a width of 3.0m.
Areas(s) : Shannon Erne Waterway Navigation Cruising

Q. IS ONE SAFE AFTER DARK IN YOUR BOAT FROM HARM BREAK INS OR ATTACK

A. The Inspectorate is unaware of any incidents of the type alluded to happening on any of the navigations. However, it is always prudent to observe normal security practices, as when you park your car in a car park or on the side of the street, such as locking all openings when leaving for a period of time, securing all valuables out of sight so that persons are not attracted by high value or attractive goods, and berthing in a well lit area.
Areas(s) : General Cruising

Q. Is it possible to have a permanent mooring on the canals which could be serviced?

A. At present, under current bye-laws, there is no possibility of having a permanent serviced berth on the Canal system. Berths are on a first come first served basis. We do not provide any services at any berths nor do we permit unauthorised ESB, water or telephone connections. All vessels availing of berths on the Canals are required to purchase and display a valid permit.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland General Royal Canal Grand Canal Cruising

Q. I'd like to bring my Dutch barge over from England in May and put her on the Grand Canal. My problem is that she's 62' x11' and the locks on the Grand and the Barrow are given as (variously) 60'-61'6". I've had conflicting views from diverse Irish sources about whether she'll be too long or not and I realise that I must ascertain these dimensions myself by coming over with my tape measure. Having said that it would be really good if I could obtain some hard information first from someone who has taken a boat of this length through these locks. Thanks John Wilkinson.

A. The maximum permitted dimensions for craft operating on the Grand Canal are: Length: 61 Feet (18.5m) Beam: 13 Feet (3.90m) Draft: 4 Feet (1.20m) Air Draft: 9 Feet (2.75m) except in Ringsend Basin with a restriction of 8 Feet 4 Inches (Mac Mahon Bridge) Waterways Ireland would not issue a permit for a vessel of this size. However we would suggest that if the vessel is being transported over then it could be dropped into the Shannon and the Shannon used as a base instead.
Areas(s) : General Grand Canal Barrow Navigation Navigation Cruising

Q. How late does Albert Lock stay open on a (bank holiday) friday evening? We will be arriving in Carrick-on-Shannon approx 5pm and would like to go south to Dromod for the night.

A. A list of opening times for locks and movable bridges on the Shannon Navigation is available to download from this website on the Shannon Navigation Information webpage at http://www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/ShannonNavigationInformation There is no variation in opening times for bank holiday weekends, they remain the same opening times as any ordinary weekend during the relevant period.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Cruising

Q. Where would I find places to charter boats?

A. The Waterways Ireland website contains information from where you can charter Boats. You will find these details under Tourist Information or simply visit http://www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/BoatHireCompanie
Areas(s) : General Activities Cruising

Q. Can one travel by boat / barge etc from Athy to Limerick.

A. Yes, this is possible. From Athy, you travel up the Grand Canal Barrow line to meet the Grand Canal main line at Lowtown. You then travel along the Grand Canal main line to join the Shannon at Shannon Harbour and continue on down to Limerick.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Grand Canal Barrow Navigation Navigation Cruising

Q. A couple of years ago we rented a barge at Graiguenamanagh named "an Bradan" and cruised the Barrow. I would like to rent from this same firm again but I can't locate them. Do you know which firm it might be that has such a barge and how I can contact them? I have a photo of the barge if it helps Thank you Stacia Roesler

A. You most likely rented this boat from Valley Boats in Graiguenamanagh. Unfortunately Valley Boats is no longer in business. Other businesses you could contact include Leisure Afloat and Barrow Line Cruisers. For more details check out www.leisureafloat.ie and www.barrowline.ie
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Barrow Navigation Cruising

Q. where can I get information on the cost of boat rental?

A. The websites boatholidaysireland.com and goboatingireland.com give information on and links to the different boat hire companies that operate on the waterways in Ireland.
Areas(s) : General Activities Cruising

Q. As a regular visitor to the inland waterways my question is " why is the time limit not enforced for docking at public docks in particular the new floating ones at Carrick on Shannon Dromod"This seems at odds with Waterways Ireland rules.

A. The Inspectorate conduct regular patrols of all harbours and record any vessels in contravention of the Shannon Navigation Bye Laws, including those breaking the “5 Day Rule”, the vessel has a sticker with a notice of the Bye –Law Contravention placed on it and a letter sent to the owner. Most responsible owners comply with the bye-laws following this action. In cases where owners do not comply then the vessel may be removed from the navigation. It will be appreciated that at the height of the boating season not all harbours can be visited on a daily basis, however, where there is a problem with a specific vessel and it is brought to the Inspectorate’s notice it will be followed up at that time.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Navigation Cruising

Q. Hi. I would like to know why there is no control of speeds and behaviour on the Lower Bann. Skiers regularly ski right through Portglenone Marina and one of these almost put my child in danger as she was getting into our boat. I have never seen a warden near here. Why not?

A. Issues such as speeding and inappropriate behaviour are addressed by the implementation of bye-laws. There are currently no navigational bye-laws applicable on the Lower Bann Navigation. However Waterways Ireland is currently reviewing and redrafting generic bye-laws across all the navigations under the management of Waterways Ireland. These bye-laws will be issued for public consultation at the end of the year and input from users will be most welcome.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Activities Lower Bann Navigation Cruising Powerboat Sports

Q. I would like to know if any one else is having problems at all the islands on lower Lough Erne.Almost every jetty has speed boat skiers and jet ski’s coming in at great speed resulting in our cruiser getting rocked about. Sometimes we think it is going to end up on the jetty. Can anything be done about it? It can be quite dangerous especially when we are cooking. They don’t seem to respect the speed laws.

A. There are areas on the Lower Erne governed by speed limits as per the Lough Erne Bye-Laws 1986. Furthermore, the Erne Navigation is patrolled regularly by the Lough Erne Warden. If you wish you can contact the Warden directly, Tel. 00 44 28 66322836
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Activities Erne System Cruising Powerboat Sports

Q. Are there any Motor Boat Schools on the Shannon where I can learn to drive before I buy my first boat?

A. The Lough Ree Power Boat School, Hodson Bay, Athlone, Co Roscommon. Tel: 1890 70 40 90, +353 (0)49 9529750; Email: courses@powerboat.org; Web: www.powerboat.ie Lough Derg Powerboat School, Sallybay House, Derry Demesne, Ballina/Killaloe, Co Clare. Tel: +353 (0) 61 375474; Mobile: (0) 87 6100577; Email: denis@boatschool.ie; Web: www.boatschool.ie
Areas(s) : General Shannon Navigation Navigation Cruising Powerboat Sports

Q. Does Waterways Ireland charter boats?

A. Waterways Ireland does not charter boats, but does provide information on all the companies operating charter boats on the Barrow Navigation, the Erne System, the Grand Canal, the Lower Bann, the Royal Canal, the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Shannon Navigation.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland General Cruising

Q. Do I need a license to hire a boat on Ireland’s Inland Waterways

A. No, a brief training session in boat handling will be provided by the charter company, covering boat safety, management, operation of all the equipment and a trial run.
Areas(s) : General Activities Cruising