OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE WATERWAYS IRELAND WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE IN SCARRIFF AND LAUNCH OF THE SCARRIFF HARBOUR FESTIVAL

The new Waterways Ireland Western Regional Office in Scarriff, Co Clare was officially opened by Síle de Valera T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Education & Science, at 5.30pm on Friday 4th August 2006.

Minister de Valera has a long association with Waterways Ireland and was the Minister responsible for its operation from 1999, when the North-South Body was first established, until 2002. Before the unveiling of the commemorative plaque in the new building, Minister de Valera spoke of the significance of the new Regional Office.

"I am honoured to be asked to officiate at this event today not only because I, along with Minister McGimpsey of the Northern Ireland Executive, took the decision in 2000 to locate the Western Regional Office of Waterways Ireland in Scarriff, but also because of its importance and the potential it provides for the town of Scarriff".

Minister de Valera was also responsible for putting the funding in place which saw the development of the Scarriff Harbour extension which was officially opened in 2004.

The new Regional Office is a two-storey building adjacent to Scariff Harbour, with views of both the harbour and down the Scariff River to the Slieve Bearnagh Mountains. The building provides office space for Waterways Ireland's 26 staff and is designed to be accessible for all. The office is the base for the Operations and Administrative staff for the West Region of Waterways Ireland. It is also the base for the Internal Audit section, Environment section and staff from the Technical Services Division. Until now, the Waterways Ireland staff in Scariff were located in three offices - on the Mountshannon Road, Market Square and Fossabeg.

The new office building was completed, within budget and before target completion date, in May 2006 and the staff moved in on 6 June. The contractor for the project was Brian Carthy Ltd of Ennis. The project management duties, architectural services and contract supervision for the project was undertaken by the Office of Public Works.

The Opening also marked the Launch of the Scarriff Harbour Festival, now in its fourth year which offers a varied line-up of music and activities to cater for all tastes including complimentary boat trips on the Scarriff River and Lough Derg, a Young Anglers' Competition and a unique Clash of the Gaeltachts Currach Race on Lough Derg, all sponsored by Waterways Ireland.

John Martin, Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland spoke of Waterways Ireland involvement in the Scarriff Harbour Festival.

"The contribution to and awareness of the wonderful resource that is the waterway is greatly enhanced by such events and community involvement - a shining example of which is the Scarriff Harbour Festival. I am delighted that the Festival is now in its fourth year with an enhanced and exciting programme of events taking place over this bank holiday weekend".

Waterways Ireland is the North/South Implementation Body responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterway systems throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes. The waterways under the remit of Waterways Ireland are the Lower Bann Navigation, the Erne System, the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Barrow Navigation, the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal and the Shannon Navigation. This network provides a waterway link from Belleek to Waterford, Limerick to Dublin and many places in between.

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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: 04.08.2006
PR060024

Síle de Valera T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Education & Science, John Martin, Chief Executive Waterways Ireland, Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications Waterways Ireland, Ray Dunne, Regional Manager for the Western Region Waterways Ireland and Charles J. Lawn, Lt Cdr RNS, Inspector of Navigation, Waterways Ireland at the Official Opening of the new Waterways Ireland Western Regional Office in Scarriff, Co Clare.

The new Waterways Ireland Western Regional Office in Scarriff, Co Clare.