Frequently Asked Questions

Areas

• Waterways Ireland
• General
• Activities
• Shannon Navigation
• Shannon Erne Waterway
• Lower Bann Navigation
• Erne System
• Royal Canal
• Grand Canal
• Barrow Navigation
• Tourism
• Navigation
• Education
• Events
• Environment
• Safety
• Angling
• Cruising
• Canoeing
• Walking
• Powerboat Sports
• Other Waterways

Questions

• Is it possible to launch a vehicle on the River Lee in County Cork?
• Is there any law on the erne system for the mooring of a boat on its own mooring is a sheltered area of the erne system
• 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.
• 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?
• where can I obtain a map showing all the nav., markers on the lower lough?
• i am in the process of purchasing a house just of boe island on lower lough erne and would like to build a private jetty there, who do i need to get permission from?
• where can I rent an open canoe in order to paddle the shannon - erne waterway. thanks
• Is it possible to obtain a copy of the register showing the owners of boats on the Erne? Can details of the owner of an individual boat be obtained?
• 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
• 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.
• IS ONE SAFE AFTER DARK IN YOUR BOAT FROM HARM BREAK INS OR ATTACK
• I would like to know if i need to register a jet ski -if so where can this be done and do i need insurance for a jet ski? are there any restricted areas in galway and or galway county such as lakes where it is prohibited to use the jet ski? thank you
• Are canal boats available for cruising in november ? My family would like to spend 3 days boating while in Ireland
• I am thinking of buying a boat in England and bringing it back to Ireland. Would I have to pay tax on the boat (like you do with a car) and if so, do you know what percentage it would be?
• I was wondering have the jettys at Kilglass Lake been repaired yet as outlined in your works plan for 2006. If not when do you expect them to be completed.
• When was Waterways Ireland founded?
• Can you please tell me the dimensions of the sea locks in the Grand Canal basin?
• Can you tell me how many craft use the Shannon-Erne Waterway in a year?
• How do I apply for winter mooring permission?
• Do you need a permit to fish on the river Suck? If so where can permits be purchased.
• What are the navigational criteria (beam, draft, etc.) for the river Liffey to steer from Dublin to Lucan or Celbridge?
• How many miles of Inland water ways does Ireland have?
• Is it possible to have a permanent mooring on the canals which could be serviced?
• How advanced are the plans to connect the Lower Bann and the Erne System via the Ulster canal?
• 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
• I have recently purchased a boat which has a VHF radio fitted. I thought I read somewhere, but cannot remember where, that if such equipment is fitted, at least one person has to complete some kind of course of competence in how to operate same. Can you confirm if that is the case and, if so, how do I go anout obtaining the relevant qualification? It would be worth it alone just to find out how it is supposed to be operated. Thanks
• Hi, I have just bought a boat with 2 friends for waterskiing. We plan to use the boat out on Lough Neagh. Do we need to insure the boat before we take it out? Can you advise on any course we could take to gain a bit of experience?
• I have the registration number of a boat and I am trying to locate the owner. Have you any suggestions as to how I may go about this? Thanking you Gary.
• 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?
• I am just wondering whether or not I need a fishing permit / license in order to go fishing this Summer? If so where do I get one?
• Are Waterways Ireland responsible for the maintenance of the towpath along the Royal Canal? There is a part of the towpath between the 9th and 10th lock of the Royal Canal which often floods when the water level is high. This makes it difficult to pass. There is a large housing development along this stretch of the canal. Who is responsible for repairing the towpath at this point?
• What restrictions are there for landing a seaplane?
• Is there a sat navigation map available for the shannon / erne waterway
• What is the current status of canal works West of Mullingar? Is there a target date for the completion of works and the opening of the navigation?
• 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.
• Who writes your ulster scots? Do you make it up while having a laugh over a cup of tea?
• When will the Royal Canal be fully navigable from Dublin to the Shannon?
• 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
• 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.
• 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!
• 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.
• What are the waterways that drain the civil parish of Ballyfeard into Ringabella Bay? What is the waterway between the townlands of Kilboy and Ballynoe? Thank you for your response to this request.
• 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 ?
• 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.
• Hello there Can I ask what access a tourist with an open canoe has to waterways in Ireland. Thanks Nick Liddle
• Can you tell me what timber is used to make the lock gates and jetties?
• Where would I find places to charter boats?
• Can one travel by boat / barge etc from Athy to Limerick.
• Having believed the waterways were for everybody to enjoy a few friends and I kayaked along the Blackwater near Kells last week. We were surprised first of all by the amount of barbed wire along various stages of the river from one bank to the other presumably put there by farmers to stop their cattle going swimming getting swept downstream. Secondly we were asked to leave the river where it passed through Headfort Golf Club we weren't trying to play golf just quietly passing through. Are there private stretches of river such as this? And is barbed wire allowed across the path of the river? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thank you
• Do I have to register a boat before using it on Lough Erne? I see you have an attached form but it does not advise of cost or legal requirement. I did previously own a boat with a registered number (bought as registered already) but I am thinking of buying a new unregistered one. Can you advise requirements please Thanks
• 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?
• What is the largest size boat that can safely navigate from the sea to Lough Neagh?
• 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
• Do Waterways Ireland have any responsibility for the Islandbridge to Chapelizod stretch of the River Liffey in Dublin used for recreational rowing purposes? Parts of this section have become blocked by weed and algae blooms. If you do not cover this stretch of the river can you tell me who is responsible?
• 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
• Who if anyone owns the lake in Loughrea Co. Galway?
• My father in law would like to know where you advertise your job vacancies to help maintain the waterways?
• My son is 13 and has expressed an interest in fresh water fishing. Sadly I know nothing about the subject - and would like advice in where to go and who to contact for lessons please. We live in Holywood COunty Down. Many Thanks
• Hello we want to go canoeing in Northern Ireland. Can you tell me where I find someone from whom we could hire canoes. Thank you
• Is there anywhere between Muckross and Enniskillen for refuelling jet skis. If so wat are there opening times?
• where can I get information on the cost of boat rental?
• I live in Dublin and was wondering where could i take a powerboat licence level 1 course?
• Is there a designated area on the Shannon for either jetskis or waterskiers?
• Do I need an annual permit to put a 14" "indian" canoe (no engine) on the Barrow at Graiguenamanagh from time to time e.g. very occasional use only put on the water and taken off immediately afterwards? Also in respect of the Barrow what is the position in relation to a 16" aluminium boat with 6 h.p. engine used for angling? Do I need a permit to put it on from day-to-day (not necessarily moored overnight or for any length of time)? Does either craft require to be registered or to display registration details while in use? Thank you.
• 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.
• On going up the River Finn 2 weeks ago in my boat (an Orkney 440) from the Quivvy Waters I noted that Wattle Bridge appeared to have been reconstructed and that there was no longer a limit of navigation sign at the bridge. Is the river now navigable beyond the bridge?
• Is the Grand Canal towpath suitable for cycling?
• 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?
• 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.
• Where can I find information about water depths over the last three weeks from Lough Derg to Lower Lough Erne?
• 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
• I am enquiring if there are any plans to reopen the Newry Canal System to Portadown and Lough Neagh.
• 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
• Do you need a license to use a jet ski?
• 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.
• 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
• Are hovercraft permitted on the Shannon? If so under what conditions?
• Hi Can I buy charts for Irish Waterways on-line? I spoke to someone about this at London Boatshow Thanks Lee
• How far is it possible to walk along the Grand Canal from Sallins into Dublin City?
• Are there any Motor Boat Schools on the Shannon where I can learn to drive before I buy my first boat?
• What is Waterways Ireland?
• What does Waterways Ireland do?
• Does Waterways Ireland charter boats?
• Is Waterways Ireland responsible for Water Quality and Pollution?
• Are Waterways Ireland and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland the same organisation?
• What are Waterways Ireland’s main activities
• How many people work for Waterways Ireland
• Do boat owners have to register their boats with Waterways Ireland.
• Do I need a license to hire a boat on Ireland’s Inland Waterways
• What currencies do I need to bring for my trip?