LAUNCH OF THE NEW WATERWAYS IRELAND E-PORTAL AT THE LONDON BOAT SHOW

The new Waterways Ireland e-portal (www.waterwaysireland.org) was officially launched by Jodi Fisher, the 2005 Water Ski World Cup Slalom Champion, on Friday 13th January at the London Boat Show in the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London's Docklands.

The fully dynamic and interactive site features information on the seven navigable waterways in Ireland with information and movie clips on navigation and activities on each waterway. The site is updated daily with information on development and maintenance projects on the waterways, provides up to date marine notices, as well as a myriad of other customer, navigational and promotional information. The e-portal aims to increase awareness of Ireland's inland waterways by illustrating the characteristics of each waterway and the navigation links between the waterways.

Martin Dennany, Director for Marketing & Communications at Waterways Ireland officiating at the Launch gave an insight into the benefit of the site to waterways users and those planning to visit the waterways. He said, "The e-portal will allow us to enhance and develop the great potential of Ireland's waterways. The network of waterways on the island of Ireland is unique and a wonderful recreation amenity and tourism resource for visitors and locals alike".

Waterways Ireland is responsible for managing, maintaining, developing and restoring the following inland navigable waterways in Ireland: the Lower Bann Navigation, the Erne System, the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Shannon Navigation, the Barrow Navigation, the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal.

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Further information from:

Ms. Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland,
00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412.
Date: 13.01.2006