From time to time Waterways Ireland do seize vessels. Sales are generally advertised on the Waterways Ireland website, locally and in the national press – normally the Irish Independent. Please note that generally vessels are in very poor condition, almost always requiring full refurbishment. For further information please contact inspectorate.athlone@waterwaysireland.org.

You can apply for a winter mooring by completing the online winter mooring application form.

Newcommen Lift Bridge, which is owned and operated by Irish Rail, is only lifted for boats at limited pre-arranged dates during the navigation season. If intending to travel in and out of Dublin, a minimum of two weeks' notice prior to published lift dates (Marine Notice) must be given to the Eastern Regional Office by telephone on +353 (0)1 868 0148. They will then arrange and confirm passage.

You can register your boat by completing the online craft registration form.

On the Lough Erne System, mooring is subject to a time limit of 48 hours (with a four hour absence before return). On the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway, the mooring limit is five consecutive days or a total of seven days in any one month. This rule applies all year round unless a vessel avails of Winter Mooring from November 1st to March 31st. 

The Lower Bann is navigable from the sea at the Barmouth. Care should be taken at the entrance as in rough conditions there can be breaking waves. Coleraine Harbour Commissioners manage the 8km of river from the Millennium Bridge in Coleraine to the sea and are responsible for the Coleraine Harbour. Masters of deep drafted boats are asked to contact the Operations office in Coleraine before travelling on +44 (0)28 7034 4342.

Boats on the Barrow Navigation, Grand Canal and Royal Canal must display a valid permit. All permits are annual and are valid from 1^st November to the 31^st of October. You can apply online for a permit.

There are four types of permits available:

Combined Mooring and Passage Permit (CMP) permits the holder to pass through locks and to moor at the same Public Mooring for up to five days in any calendar month. A CMP costs €126.

Non-Residential Extended Mooring Permit (NR-EMP) permits the holder to moor in an allocated location for up to one year. A NR-EMP is non-residential and therefore cannot be used a primary residence, however the holder is permitted to stay overnight for up to 90 days in any one year. A NR-EMP costs €278 which includes the cost of a CMP.

Residential Extended Mooring Permit (R-EMP) allows the holder to moor in one location for up to one year. Holders of a R-EMP have no limitation on the number of nights they may stay on board and are permitted to use their vessel as their primary residence. Waterways Ireland has 20 houseboat serviced mooring locations in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin and eight houseboat services mooring locations in Shannon Harbour, Co Offaly which are all fully occupied. If you are interested in acquiring a R-EMP, please email Inspectorate.Athlone@waterwaysireland.org providing your name, address and contact number and your details will be added to a waiting list.

Visitor Permits are free and allows boats to enter the canal system and stay for up to 31 days. The permit can only be used once every calendar year. If you wish to apply for a visitor permit please complete the CMP application and include a note indicating the date of entry to the canal. The visitor permit will be valid for one month from this date.

• Lock keys cost €25 and can be purchased from the following locations:

• Eastern Region Office: +353 (0)1 868 0148

• Grand Canal Depot, Tullamore: +353 (0)57 935 2300

• Lock-keeper at Lowtown: +353 (0)87 245 6531

• Lock-keeper at Shannon Harbour: +353 (0)87 245 6587

• Lock-keeper at Monasterevin: +353 (0)87 247 3093

• Lock-keeper at Fenniscourt: +353 (0)87 951 6333

• Locks 17-40: +353 (0)87 618 2104

• Locks 41-46 +353 (0)87 915 1400

Waterways Ireland has 20 houseboat serviced mooring locations in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin and eight houseboat serviced mooring locations in Shannon Harbour, Co Offaly, all of which are fully occupied.  

All residential moorings in Grand Canal Dock were allocated on a first come first served basis and it is unlikely that one of these licenses will become available in the near future; there is also a substantial list of "interested" parties seeking to avail of these moorings in Grand Canal Dock. This list is now extensive and unlikely to move in the short or long term, so it is now closed to new applicants.

If you have any further queries you may contact the Inspectorate Office at inspectorate.athlone@waterwaysireland.org providing your name and contact details.

Place your registration sticker on your boat where the Inspectorate of Navigation can visibly identify it. We recommend placing it on your windscreen where it can best be seen and will not be covered by a canopy.

The Grand Canal Way is a National Waymarked Way suitable to cater for walkers of all ages. The route follows grassy towpaths, gravel and sometimes tarmac canal-side roads from Dublin to Shannon Harbour. For further information on this trail and the Offaly Way and Sli na Slainte routes, visit our detailed trail information page.

Works are ongoing to develop sections of the Grand Canal Towpath to Greenway standard.  Greenways are recreational, off-road routes for walkers, cyclists and other non-motorised transport. During the current development phase you may experience some disruption to your walking or cycling journey. For a summary of the works and the areas where restrictions maybe in place, please consult our Greenway development updates.

Waterways Ireland does not have an official camping policy. Please seek permission from the landowner, cause no obstruction and follow the Leave No Trace principles.

The canal towpaths aren't wide enough to accommodate horses at the same time as other users, so unfortunately, with everyone's safety in mind, Waterways Ireland cannot permit horse riding along the canal towpaths. 

Under the Canal Byelaws it is strictly prohibited to bathe or swim in any lock, harbour or dock on the canals. Outside that, whilst not prohibited, the canals are used by a variety of users including boaters, canoeists, kayakers, rowers and anglers, and any swimmer should ensure they are safe in the area they wish to access. Other issues such as the prevalence of aquatic weed in a given area should be assessed. The canals are not designated bathing areas and as such are not monitored in accordance with Bathing Water Regulations.

If you are simply looking to go paddling as an individual, no license or express permission is required. In general canoes are not permitted to transit through locks and must be carried around locks or 'portaged' as there is too much turbulence in lock chambers when locks are being operated. For further information, see canoeing on our waterways.

Please contact the Waterways Ireland Press Office on +353 (0)71 9650560 or email corporate@waterwaysireland.org.

To report rubbish along canals, visit the reporting page, then select 'Something Else' from the 'Queries and Requests' drop down list and complete the form. Make sure to include details of which waterway and the exact location of the rubbish.

Smart cards are used to operate the locks on the Shannon-Erne Waterways and the Shannon Navigation. They are also used to gain access to the service blocks and to use the facilities and pump-outs. Cards are available in either 10 or 20 units and cost €6.35 or €12.70.

Services use the following number of units:

• Locks: 1 unit (Shannon-Erne Waterway)
• Locks: 2 units (Shannon Navigation)
• Bridges: 2 units (Shannon Navigation)
• Pump-outs: 2 units
• Showers: 2 units
• Chemical Toilets: 2 units
• Washing Machines: 5 units
• Tumble Dryers: 5 units
• 2kwh Electricity: 1 unit

Smart cards can be purchased on our shopping page and many retailers along the navigations.

Campervans can use Waterways Ireland service block facilities, however they are not intended for overnight stays and access may be restricted. You can get a list of service blocks from our Voyages and Visits publication. 

If you are looking for overnight stays we would encourage you to seek a private or council owned site.

Absolutely! Anglers are more than welcome on the Greenway. The Royal Canal offers a haven for fishing enthusiasts. However, given the high number of Greenway visitors, it's important for anglers to be cautious about placing their equipment in spots that won't pose hazards to other trail users.

Dogs are welcome on the Greenway, but they must be on a short lead at all times for everyone's safety, including your furry friends. Off-leash dogs or those on long leads can be hazards, particularly for cyclists. Considering the diverse users with varying comfort levels around animals, please be considerate and keep control of your pet. Also, remember to clean up after them.

Bins are not provided along the trail. Please take your rubbish with you and dispose of it properly. If you're walking your dog, please clean up after them too. The Royal Canal towpath has been around for 225 years, with diverse birdlife and plants. Keep it clean and remember to #LeaveNoTrace. 

Public toilets are situated at Waterways Ireland service blocks in Cloondara, Ballynacarrigy, Abbeyshrule, Enfield, and Mullingar.

Longford Town has public toilets operated by the local county council. Moreover, you can typically find toilets in local eateries in towns and villages along the trail. Please consider supporting these local businesses if you use their bathroom facilities.

While the Royal Canal towpath begins in Dublin, the cycling-friendly Greenway section starts in Maynooth. Currently, it's not possible to cycle the entire route from Dublin to Maynooth. Plans are in progress to upgrade the towpath to Greenway status from Maynooth eastward into Dublin.

No, the Greenway trail cannot accommodate equestrian users due to its limited width. To ensure the safety of all Greenway users, including pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, and dog walkers, horses are not allowed on the Royal Canal Greenway.

For visitors using mobility aids, here are some considerations:

The trail surface is a mix of bound (asphalt) and unbound (compacted gravel) surfaces, with asphalt more prevalent in town areas and around bridges and access points (roughly a 50:50 split along the route).

Gates are strategically placed to prevent motorised vehicle access. All access gates from Maynooth to Cloondara have 1.05m staggered openings to accommodate wheelchair access.

The terrain is mostly flat, allowing unrestricted movement, but due to canal infrastructure, occasional inclines may be encountered, particularly around humpbacked bridges like Spin or Allen Bridge, which could pose slight challenges for wheelchair users.

You don't have to bring your bike or gear, as bike rental services are readily available in the area. Each trailhead along the Royal Canal Greenway offers bike rental options.

Approval from Waterways Ireland is required for any organised event on the Royal Canal Greenway.

We encourage those planning an event to submit an approval application at least 12 weeks in advance. This ensures proper safety planning, avoids conflicts with scheduled maintenance or development work, and provides ample time for successful event promotion.

You can fill in this form to submit an event request.
 

The trail is easy and flat, perfect for walkers, runners, and cyclists of all ages. The challenge lies in the distance, with access points approximately every 10 km, letting you choose how challenging you want your journey to be.

There are wonderful places to visit along or close to the Greenway, from quirky eateries and stunning visitor attractions to bike hire providers. Please plan ahead and contact businesses directly for further information prior to planning your trip and to avoid disappointment.

For further information on the visitor services in each county, tourism websites are linked below;

Kildare
Meath
Westmeath
Longford

The path has a mix of surfaces—about half bound (asphalt) and half unbound (compacted gravel). Asphalt is more common in town areas and around bridges and access points. 

Following the edge of the 225-year-old Royal Canal, the trail showcases old stone bridges and aqueducts. Keep in mind there are soft edges with reeds, some areas dropping into the canal, and occasional steep embankments.

Waterways Ireland aims to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences for all trail visitors. However, growing trail popularity has led to tensions, such as speeding cyclists and uncontrolled dogs. We offer guidance through our Greenway Code of Conduct and utilise signage and social media to promote safe and courteous behaviour.

Remember: Keep left, pass right, ring bells when passing, keep dogs on short leads, clean up after pets, and avoid littering: #LeaveNoTrace.

Consider using public transport to and from trailheads for a convenient travel option. Most bike hire companies offer flexible pick-up and drop-off points. 

The Dublin to Sligo railway route by Iarnród Éireann provides public transport from trailheads at Maynooth, Kilcock, Enfield, Mullingar, and Longford. Note that space for bikes on trains is limited and may require advance booking. Check Bicycle Information for Rail Travel at irishrail.ie.

Bus Eireann provides routes to access points and trailheads across Ireland. Check their website for details. If starting from Dublin, bus routes connect various city areas with Maynooth, your starting point on the Royal Canal Greenway. Check Dublin Bus for bus route times and prices.

You can use mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, electric bikes, kids' bikes, and trailers for young children on the trail. Motorbikes, quad bikes, dirt bikes, and other large motorised vehicles are not allowed on the trail.

You can park your car at trailheads and access points along the trail. Please ensure that your car is parked safely off the road and is not blocking access or causing obstruction to any roadway.

If a car park is full, find an alternative secure location to park, avoiding any blockage for others.

Start your trip at any of the 14 access points along the Royal Canal Greenway, conveniently dividing the 130km trail. Five designated Trailheads - Maynooth, Enfield, Mullingar, Cloondara, and Longford town - offer a full range of services. While you can begin at any access point, services may be more limited. 

The best and easiest way to view a general map of the Royal Canal Greenway is by downloading the Royal Canal Greenway Guide. Here, you will find details on various trail heads and notable points of interest along the path.

As and when jobs become available they are advertised on our website and Facebook, LinkedIn and the local and/or national press. For a list of current job vacancies, please see our career pages.