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. Hi there, I am asking this question as a friend is interested in bringing a Dutch barge onto the Grand Canal and wants to know if a license would be issued for a barge with the following dimensions: Length Overall: 17.60m Beam: 2.95m Draft: 0.80m Air Draft: 2.60m If this barge was registered on the Shannon, would this ovecome this problem?

A. In order to be suitable for the Canal a vessel would have to be: Length Overall: Max 18.7m Beam: Max 4.0m Draft: Max 1.2m (Max 1m on Dublin Circular Line) Air Draft: Max on Canal: Grand Canal 2.73m (2.5 in Ringsend Basin) Barrow Navigation: 2.58 (Carlow Bridge may cause difficulties when river levels are high) Royal Canal: 2.73 These clearances are for passing through the centre of the arch. If the vessel was used exclusively on the Shannon her dimensions would not pose any problems.
Areas(s) : Grand Canal

Q. Can you please tell me the dimensions of the sea locks in the Grand Canal basin?

A. Please see dimensions below: (m = metres) Camden Lock: 45m x 9m Buckingham Lock: 35m x 7m Westmorland Lock (x2): 19m x 4m
Areas(s) : Grand Canal

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. Hello,What is the water quality like on the Grand Canal these days? More specifically, is it safe to swim in? I'm talking about the downtown portions particularly, at say the bridge at Mount Street Lower, or at the Barge pub. I often thought it would be really good to switm there, but am uncertain about the quality of the water, level of pollution etc. Thanks for any information you can provide.Stephen Kenny

A. The water quality of the Grand Canal is continuously monitored by the Central Fisheries Board on behalf of Waterways Ireland. Water quality in the Grand Canal is generally of a very high quality as confirmed by the Central Fisheries Board. The Grand Canal is fed by a number of sources of very high water quality and every effort is made to ensure these high quality water sources are maintained. It is important to note that the canal system is not a designated Bathing Area and therefore the water quality testing carried out is not specific to the requirements of the Bathing Water regulations. In addition, under Section 38 of the Canals Act, 1986 (Bye-laws), 1988: “No person shall (a) bathe or swim in any lock, Harbour or dock on the canals, except with the permission of the Commissioners;”
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland General Activities Grand Canal Safety

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. Hi Please tell me who is in charge of Regulating of Angling on the Grand Canal around Monasterevin town. Who is implementing those regulations? Thank you

A. Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland navigations principally for recreational purposes. The Central Fisheries Board are under contract to Waterways Ireland to manage Fisheries Development, Weed Management and Water Quality on the Royal Canal, the Grand Canal, the Barrow Navigation and the Shannon Erne Waterway. There is a voluntary scheme of Catch and Release in operation.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Activities Grand Canal Events Angling

Q. Do you know where can I hire a kayak in the Dublin area? A kayak to hire for few hours or half day alone or with other people Please Thanks for your time!

A. If you contact the Irish Canoe Union, Tel: 00353 (0)1 6251105; email: office@canoe.ie; web: http://www.canoe.ie they may be able to help.
Areas(s) : Activities Royal Canal Grand Canal Canoeing

Q. i am new to the canals and waterways and i am thinking of buying a narrow boat i would like imformation on permanent mooring to rent prices ect is there restrictions on length ect.

A. If you do decide to bring a boat onto the canal system there is a requirement for a permit to be purchased and displayed. An annual combined mooring and passage permit is 126€ and is available for purchase at a number of locations including our offices in Ashtown Gate or Ringsend (Dock Master). You can not moor at the same place on the canals, or within 500 metres of the same place, for more than 5 days without the appropriate permit from the Commissioners. A copy of the Canal Bye-Laws is available to download from our website at http://www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/NavigationInformation If you intend to enter the Shannon navigation you will be required to register with the Inspectorate – this is free.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Royal Canal Grand Canal 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. Is the Grand Canal towpath suitable for cycling?

A. At present, the majority of the towpaths on the Grand and Royal Canals are not suitable for cycling, either because they are too narrow or have a rough terrain, or because cyclists would cause too much danger (from a safety point of view) or inconvenience to other users. Over the next few years, we hope to be able to work with local authorities to install designated surfaced cycleways in the urban / semi urban fringes of Dublin. To that end Waterways Ireland are currently working in conjunction with South Dublin County Council to explore options in the Clondalkin to Lucan stretch of the Grand Canal where local authority lands, adjoining the canal towpath, may be developed as designated surfaced cycleways and the existing towpath developed for walking and fishing.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Activities Grand Canal

Q. i would like to take groups of kids expedition canoeing on grand canal in kildare. how can i get hold of a lock key? thanks dave

A. Lock keys are available in Waterways Ireland's offices in Tullamore and Ashtown Gate (Dublin) and also in Shannon Harbour. However Waterways Ireland does not encourage canoes to pass through locks. We request that you disembark and walk over locks for safety reasons (turbulence in locks and the requirement to avoid water ingress into canoes). Also, while it is not required that a permit be issued (fees paid) we would request that an application for a permit be completed for purposes of indemnity. The organizer should also have adequate insurance for both personnel on the expedition and third party liability. Bye-Law 38 (q) requires our permission prior to any organized event.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Activities Grand Canal Canoeing

Q. How far is it possible to walk along the Grand Canal from Sallins into Dublin City?

A. The towpath of the Grand Canal is open all the way from Dublin City to Shannon Harbour in County Offaly, and from Lowtown (the summit level in County Kildare) to Athy along the Barrow Line. The maps in the Guide to the Grand Canal show which bank the walker should be on for each stretch of the walk – Maps 1 to 4 cover the walk from Sallins back in to Dublin City.
Areas(s) : General Activities Grand Canal Walking