Q. I recently purchased my first boat and am about to commence using the Shannon navigation. In preparing my boat I asked my mechanic to ensure that the holding tank was in good order. He tells me that many boat owners have gone back to using sea toilets as most of the pump outs are not working satisfactorily. Furthermore the sewage from the town of Carrick is emptying untreated into the river just below the town. Is this true and if so what is the point of trying to be green if thousands of boats are deliberately polluting the river oin a daily basis?

A. Under the Shannon Navigation (Construction of Vessels) (Amendment) Bye-laws, 1994 ‘ a toilet fitted to vessel shall be so constructed and fitted as to prevent polluting matter from being discharged or passing into the navigation.’ Waterways Ireland has said it will take over pumpouts from the Local Authorities on verification that they are in working order; this process has begun. Waterways Ireland has no remit in relation to Carrick sewage.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Environment

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've recently purchased a new jetski and I was just wondering where I could take it for weekends away down the South of Ireland? We also have a sportsboat but we don't want to step on anyone's toes!

A. All vessels and boats with an engine horse power greater than 15hp must register with the Inspector of Navigation before being placed on the Shannon Navigation. Visit http://www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/BoatRegistration for more information. Upon registering, a unique number is allocated to the vessel or boat and information on the navigation bye-laws, which covers such matters as mooring, speed, rule of the road etc., are sent to the owner with the registration number. Statutory Instruments Numbers 79 and 80 of 1992 – Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws may be viewed on www.irishstatutebook.ie
Areas(s) : Shannon Navigation

Q. Do you need a permit to fish on the river Suck? If so where can permits be purchased.

A. For information on fishing in the Shannon Region you should contact the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, Ashbourne Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick, Tel: +353 (0)61 300238, Fax: +353 (0)61 300308, Email: info@shrfb.com Web: http://www.shannon-fishery-board.ie/
Areas(s) : Shannon Navigation Angling

Q. I need to find out about mooring facilities in Athlone for my Father's boat which is a 35 footer and he wants to berth it in Athlone. What companies can I contact about this?

A. Visit www.westmeathtourism.com and click on Shannon Cruising. Here, you will find a list of Marina facilities in the Athlone area.
Areas(s) : General Shannon Navigation

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. I want to get married on The Shannon and rent some boats and get married along the way and hopefully have a marquee in a farmers field. What is the best way to research this. I am living in the UK but am Irish.

A. There is a listing of boat hire companies that operate on the inland navigable waters of Ireland on our website at http://www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/BoatHireCompanie With regards to hiring a marquee and finding a location I suggest you try a website such as Irish Weddings Online - http://www.irishweddings.ie/ which has links to Marquee Hire companies, Wedding Co-ordinators, etc.
Areas(s) : General Shannon Navigation

Q. Can you please let me know what property does Waterways Ireland own/control around the river shannon? I have looked up some legislation in this matter and cannot find a deinition of waterways ireland property, can you tell me where I could locate same ?

A. The boundaries of jurisdiction of, now, Waterways Ireland on the Shannon were established on foot of the Shannon Act, 1839.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation

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. I plan to kayak from Athlone to Killaloe. Is this reasonably flat water? How much current is there? Where can I hire a kayak so I can start my trip near Athlone and take out near Killaloe or Limerick? How many days (12 miles per day) would it take for this trip?

A. Lough Derg can be very rough and by canoe should only be crossed in calm conditions. At this time of year, the current is fast and levels are rising. The Distance for this trip is about 80 km. You should check out the Conoeing Ireland website www.canoe.ie for more information or contact them on +353 (0)1 6251105.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Activities Shannon Navigation Canoeing

Q. Hi. I am wondering if you can tell me when access to the slipway at Kilglass lake will be restored? I am a frequent user of the lake and this is the best slip way for launching. Thanks

A. The works to the slipway will be substantially complete before the end of this year and the project is due for completion early next year, in time for the new season. In the interim, the slipway at Dromod is available. If there is a particular access problem, you can get back to us and we will see if there is anything we can do.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Navigation

Q. Is there a designated area on the Shannon for either jetskis or waterskiers?

A. There are no designated areas on the Shannon Navigation for jetskis or waterskiers.
Areas(s) : General Shannon Navigation Powerboat Sports

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. Where can I find information about water depths over the last three weeks from Lough Derg to Lower Lough Erne?

A. Along the Shannon water level gauges, which are mostly at locks, are read daily. These readings are not scientific and are primarily for internal Waterways Ireland use. We do not have specific information about water depths along the system. If the query is about the level at a specific place we may be able to provide that.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Erne System

Q. I have just come back from a fishing holiday on the River Shannon and wonder if you can tell me if the improvements to the jetty's at Victoria Lock have been completed. I am especially interested to know if the new jetty below Victoria Lock will remain unattached to the land or will the new jetty that I saw be extended in some way so that boats could moor and passengers then walk to the lock keeper. Many thanks for your time. Ray

A. The jetty downstream of Victoria Lock will remain unattached to the land. It’s a waiting jetty for boats travelling through Victoria Lock.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation

Q. I'm an italian boy and I want to spend my holiday in Ireland. I want to know if there's a ferry boat service between Killaloe and Portumna on Lake Derg. If it there's where I can find timetables of this ferry boat? Thank you for the information.

A. While there is no ferry service on Lough Derg, there are a couple of companies who provide day trips on the Lake. These are: 1) The Spirit of Killaloe, Killaloe, Co Clare, email: whelans@killaloe.ie for further details; and 2) Ku-ee-tu Cruise, Shannon Sailing Ltd, New Complex, Dromineer, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, tel: +353 (0)67 24499 or email: shannonsailing@eircom.net for further details.
Areas(s) : General Activities Shannon Navigation

Q. Hi just wondering what the situation is regarding the harbour extension at GarrKennedy ? Are the moorings available for rent or is it purely for visitor boats ? Thanks Pete

A. Garrykennedy is a public harbour and is available free of charge from 1 Apr until 31 Oct each year. However, you are only allowed to berth in public harbours during this time for a period of 5 consecutive days or a total of 7 days in any one month. Outside of this period i.e 1 Nov until 31 Mar you can berth for the nominal sum of approximately €13.00. per month.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Navigation

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