Q. are there any canoe clubs that use river in graighnamannagh

A. If you contact any of the following, they should be able to advise. Go with the Flow River Adventures Mob No: +353 (0)87 252 9700 Email: info@gowiththeflow.ie Web: www.gowiththeflow.ie Irish Canoe Union Tel No: +353 (0) 1 625 1105 Email: office@irishcanoeunion.com Web: www.irishcanoeunion.com
Areas(s) : Activities Barrow Navigation Canoeing

Q. new to boating. Just bought a boat, a 14 foot cuddy with 20 hp engine. Living in carlow. How much is it to use this boat on the barrow and where do i pay this. I will be registering this boat, will this allow me to use this boat on other water ways i.e lakes, rivers and canals.

A. On the Barrow Navigation, Grand Canal, and Royal Canal boats must show a name or number. For travel throughout the year an annual permit can be purchased which includes mooring and lock passage charges. For shorter periods of travel boaters can purchase monthly mooring permits and pay for lock passages on an individual basis Lock Passage: €0.60 Mooring: €12.70 per month Annual Permit: €126.00 For a full list of of permit sales locations please consult the Waterways Ireland guide to to Navigating Irelands Inland Waterways. For use on the Erne, Shannon Erne and Shannon Navigation boats over 10bhp on Erne and 15bhp on others must be registered with Waterways Ireland Inspectorate. This is free of charge. Please contact the Inspectorates office in Athlone for further details +353 (0)9064 94232
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland General Shannon Navigation Shannon Erne Waterway Erne System Royal Canal Grand Canal Barrow Navigation Navigation 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. 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. 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.

A. With regards to the 14" "indian" canoe (no engine), if the canoe is to be used on the navigation we would request that the owner sign an indemnity clause. This is appended to the permit application. While we would not require a permit for the canoe the indemnity will cover any incidents that may occur. With regards to the 16" aluminium boat with 6 h.p. engine, used for angling, a special “anglers permit” is available from Jim Butler, Lock Keepter at St. Mullins. This will cost €19 for the year and will cover all lock passages for the angling boat. With regards to displaying registration details on either of the above, there is no vessel registration on the Barrow Navigation system. As it is not planned to leave either vessel in the water for extended periods there is no requirement to display “registration” or “permit details” but the angler should carry a copy of such permit in the event he is passing through locks where he may not be known.
Areas(s) : General Activities Barrow Navigation Navigation Canoeing