Length & No of Locks
Main Line: 131km from Dublin to Shannon with 43 locks
Barrow Line: 45km from Lowtown to Athy with 9 locks
Naas Branch: 4km from Main Line to Naas with 5 locks

Opening Hours of Locks
Daylight Hours

Navigational Criteria
Length: 18.5m
Beam: 3.9m
Draft: 1.2m (1m in Dublin)
Airdraft: 2.45m over a width of 3.0m
Lowest Bridge: Ringsend Railway Bridge

Permits
On the Grand Canal boats must display a valid Permit. 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 per lock
Mooring: €12.70 per month
Annual Permit: €126.00 per annum

Permits can be purchased from the following Waterways Ireland locations:

Eastern Regional Office
Floor 2 Block C
Ashtowngate
Navan Road
Dublin 15
Tel no +353 (0)1 868 0148

Dock Superintendent at Ringsend
Tel no +353 (0)87 258 4713

Grand Canal Depot, Tullamore
Tel no +353 (0)57 935 2300

Lock-keeper at Lowtown
Tel no +353 (0)87 245 6531

Lock-keeper at Shannon Harbour
Tel no +353 (0)87 245 6587

Locks
All the locks on the Grand Canal are operated manually. Please ensure you have a lock key to operate the lock, adequate crew to manage your boat, and good stop ropes and mooring ropes. Lock keys at a cost of €25 can be purchased from the Eastern Regional Office and the Grand Canal Depot in Tullamore. The lock-keepers can be contacted at the following numbers:

• Ringsend Basin
  Dock Superintendent Mark Clarke Tel no +353 87 2584713
• Circular Line: Locks 1 - 7
  Stephen Brierley Tel no + 353 86 380 5657
• Main Line: Locks 1 - 6
  Ray Moore Tel no +353 86 827 8025
• Main Line: Locks 7 - 11
  John O'Brien Tel no +353 87 268 3723
• Main Line: Lock 12 - 13
  Ray Moore Tel no +353 86 827 8025
• Main Line Locks 14 - 18 and Naas Branch
  Martin Fogarty Tel no +353 87 289 5611
• Main Line: Lock 19 Lowtown
  James Conroy Tel no +353 87 245 6531
• Main Line: Lock 20
  William McCormack Tel no +353 87 245 6537
• Main Line: Locks 21 - 24
  James Fisher 21st Lock Tel no +353 87 245 6525
• Main Line: Locks 24 - 26
  Neville Dunne Tel no +353 87 245 6549
• Main Line: Locks 26 - 28
  Leo Monaghan Tel no +353 87 245 6541
• Main Line: Locks 28 - 29
  John Clancy Tel no +353 87 245 6539
• Main Line: Locks 30 - 31
  Alan Lindley Tel no +353 87 245 6482
• Main Line: Locks 32 -34
  Alan Wynne Tel no +353 87 245 6609
• Main Line: Locks 34 - 36
  Jason Pender Tel no +353 87 245 6587
• Barrow Line: Locks 20 - 21
  Michael Murphy Tel no +353 87 951 0444
• Barrow Line: Locks 22 - 23
  P J Donnegan Tel no +353 86 380 7534
• Barrow Line: Locks 24 - 25
  Joe Moore Tel no +353 87 247 3093
• Barrow Line: Locks 26 - 28
  Noel Cross Tel no +353 87 951 0777

Boats travelling through Dublin Locks 1 - 12
For boats intending to travel through Main Line locks 1 - 12, two days prior notice must be given to the Eastern Regional Office who will then arrange passage and inform the relevant lock-keepers. Lock-keepers must be in attendance for passage through Locks 1 - 12.

Mooring Time Limits
On the Grand Canal a boat can moor at the same public mooring or within 500 metres of the same place for 5 days.

Slipways
Slipways to gain access to the waterway are to be found at various locations. Please contact the Waterways Ireland Eastern Regional Office for up to date information.

Dry Docks
Dry docks are available at Shannon Harbour and at the Waterways Ireland depot in Tullamore.
Contact the depot to reserve this facility Tel No +353 (0)57 935 2300

Speed Limit
6km/h

Your Wash
You are asked to consider the wash of your boat and its effect on others. All engine-powered boats create a wave of water, known as a wash, which flows outwards from the boat as it moves forward. Look behind you frequently to check the effect that your wash is having on other users. You are advised to reduce your speed in narrow channels to prevent bank erosion, damage to reed beds and destruction of birds' nests among reed and bank habitats. Slow down where boats are moored, when approaching quays, jetties or locks or where water activities are taking place.

Fuel Points
Fuel is available from garages adjacent to the canal.

Maintenance Works
Maintenance works on the waterways are, where possible, carried out during the winter. When navigating any waterway between 1 November and 17 March you are advised to contact Waterways Ireland Operations Division or the Inspectorate before making your journey to confirm that the waterway is open.

Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Sea
Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Irish Sea is via the River Liffey and the sea lock at Ringsend. Currently the basin is only open to craft intending to travel the Grand Canal (see the navigation dimensions for the canal). To reserve a passage through the sea lock and for further information contact the Dock Superintendent Tel no +353 (0)87 258 4713.

Information and guidance on entering Dublin Port is available from Dublin Port.
Dublin Port Company, Port Centre, Alexandra Road, Dublin 1.
Tel no +353 (0)1 887 6000
Email: info@dublinport.ie
Web: www.dublinport.ie

For further information on navigating and boat queries contact the Inspectorate:

Inspector of Navigation
Waterways Ireland, The Docks, Athlone, Co Westmeath
Tel no +353 (0)90 649 4232

Assistant Inspector of Navigation
Waterways Ireland, Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly
Tel no +353 (0)57 935 2300