Q. Hi have jus moved to Sallins and was wondering if I can take a dingy out on the Grand Canal and would I need some kind of licence of it, Thanks.

A. In cases like this Waterways Ireland would not require a permit to be taken out but would request that the owner sign the standard indemnity (a section on the permit application form). In the event of an incident at least we have contact details and an indemnity has been signed.
Areas(s) : General Grand Canal Navigation Cruising Canoeing Powerboat Sports

Q. where can I obtain a map showing all the nav., markers on the lower lough?

A. Navigation charts for the Erne System including Lower Lough Erne are available to buy in our headquarters in Enniskillen as well as all regional offices. You can also download our publications listing which includes an order form from our website at http://www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/PublicationsandCharts and use it to order a chart.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Navigation Cruising

Q. I am thinking of buying a cruiser with the idea of cruising the erne/shannon waterway what is the maximum height of a boat which will pass under all the bridges on the entire route as i am looking at a number of flybridges.

A. The airdraft of the Shannon Erne Waterway is 3.2m over a width of 3.0m.
Areas(s) : Shannon Erne Waterway Navigation Cruising

Q. How do I apply for winter mooring permission?

A. There is no need to apply for this permission. The Inspectorate will record the vessels presence in any of our harbours and an invoice will be sent to the owner at the end of the season. Note that the vessel must be registered. Winter mooring applies only to the Shannon Navigation and the Shannon – Erne Waterway. The charge is €12.70 per month from Nov 1 through to 31 Mar, thereafter the “5 Day” applies in public harbours.
Areas(s) : Navigation

Q. I have recently purchased a boat which has a VHF radio fitted. I thought I read somewhere, but cannot remember where, that if such equipment is fitted, at least one person has to complete some kind of course of competence in how to operate same. Can you confirm if that is the case and, if so, how do I go anout obtaining the relevant qualification? It would be worth it alone just to find out how it is supposed to be operated. Thanks

A. Both a vessel and operator's licence is required. Information may be obtained from the Marine Radio Unit of the Dept of Transport, Dublin The Marine Survey Office deals with the inspection, survey, certification and licensing of vessels and vessels radio equipment; the examination and certification of seafarers competencies; enforcement of standards by way of audits on organisation and facilities and prosecutions for breaches of regulations. Phone: 01 678 3400. www.transport.ie
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland General Navigation Education Other Waterways

Q. I am thinking of gettin a cruiser and would like to moor her on Lough Erne. Please can you advise how I go about this and the approximate costs. Many thanks

A. If you contact David Wilson at the Lough Erne Warden's Office, Castle Lane, Portora, Enniskillen BT74 5GH Tel: 0044 28 66322836 he will advise on the bye-laws and vessel registration. You should also contact a yacht broker for advice on a suitable vessel and information on berthage in the area.
Areas(s) : Erne System Navigation Cruising

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. How much does it cost to use the dry docks at Shannon Harbour?

A. The cost of using the dry docks at Shannon Harbour is €13.90 per day. If you require further information please contact the Lockkeeper on +353 (0) 87 245 6587.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland General Shannon Navigation Navigation Cruising

Q. What restrictions are there for landing a seaplane?

A. To answer your query, please contact Charles Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, Waterways Ireland, The Docks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath Telephone: +353 (0)90 6494232
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Navigation

Q. Is there a sat navigation map available for the shannon / erne waterway

A. Navionics have produced a sat navigation map for the Shannon Erne Waterway. You can get further information from Navionics UK by emailing sales@navionics.co.uk or by telephone - 0044 1752204735.
Areas(s) : General Shannon Erne Waterway Navigation

Q. What is the current status of canal works West of Mullingar? Is there a target date for the completion of works and the opening of the navigation?

A. The final phase of the Royal Canal Restoration Programme is currently underway. This phase will see the Royal Canal restored to the Shannon Navigation at Clondra and involves dredging the Navigation, restoring lock chambers and installing lock gates, bog restoration work and a bridge replacement programme for culverted bridges. The Royal Canal is currently navigable between Dublin and Ballybrannigan Harbour just outside Ballymahon in Co Longford. Waterways Ireland are in the process of carrying out restoration works on the Royal Canal between Ballybrannigan Harbour and the Shannon Navigation at Clondara. It is estimated that these works will be completed during 2008.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Royal Canal Navigation

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. When will the Royal Canal be fully navigable from Dublin to the Shannon?

A. The Royal Canal is currently navigable between Dublin and Ballybrannigan Harbour just outside Ballymahon in Co. Longford. Waterways Ireland are in the process of carrying out restoration works on the Royal Canal between Ballybrannigan Harbour and the Shannon Navigation at Clondara. It is estimated that these works will be completed during 2008.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Royal Canal Navigation

Q. i am new to the canals and waterways and i am thinking of buying a narrow boat i would like imformation on permanent mooring to rent prices ect is there restrictions on length ect.

A. If you do decide to bring a boat onto the canal system there is a requirement for a permit to be purchased and displayed. An annual combined mooring and passage permit is 126€ and is available for purchase at a number of locations including our offices in Ashtown Gate or Ringsend (Dock Master). You can not moor at the same place on the canals, or within 500 metres of the same place, for more than 5 days without the appropriate permit from the Commissioners. A copy of the Canal Bye-Laws is available to download from our website at http://www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/NavigationInformation If you intend to enter the Shannon navigation you will be required to register with the Inspectorate – this is free.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Royal Canal Grand Canal Navigation

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. Do I have to register a boat before using it on Lough Erne? I see you have an attached form but it does not advise of cost or legal requirement. I did previously own a boat with a registered number (bought as registered already) but I am thinking of buying a new unregistered one. Can you advise requirements please Thanks

A. You have to register your boat before using it on Lough Erne. You can do so by downloading the form from the following URL http://www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/BoatRegistration and sending it to the Lough Erne Warden. There is no cost to register your boat. If you purchase a boat which is already registered you still need to make us aware about change of ownership. You can do so by contacting the Inspectorate of Navigation, The Docks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath +353 (0)90 6494232 or the Lough Erne Warden, Castle Lane, Portora, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh +44 (0)28 66322836.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Erne System Navigation

Q. What is the largest size boat that can safely navigate from the sea to Lough Neagh?

A. The largest boat that can safely navigate from the sea to Lough Neagh is of length 35 m , Beam 5.5m, Draft 1.0m, with an Airdraft of 1.5m at High Water in Coleraine and 4.2m at Low Water in Coleraine.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Activities Lower Bann Navigation Navigation

Q. Hi. I am wondering if you can tell me when access to the slipway at Kilglass lake will be restored? I am a frequent user of the lake and this is the best slip way for launching. Thanks

A. The works to the slipway will be substantially complete before the end of this year and the project is due for completion early next year, in time for the new season. In the interim, the slipway at Dromod is available. If there is a particular access problem, you can get back to us and we will see if there is anything we can do.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Navigation

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

Q. As a regular visitor to the inland waterways my question is " why is the time limit not enforced for docking at public docks in particular the new floating ones at Carrick on Shannon Dromod"This seems at odds with Waterways Ireland rules.

A. The Inspectorate conduct regular patrols of all harbours and record any vessels in contravention of the Shannon Navigation Bye Laws, including those breaking the “5 Day Rule”, the vessel has a sticker with a notice of the Bye –Law Contravention placed on it and a letter sent to the owner. Most responsible owners comply with the bye-laws following this action. In cases where owners do not comply then the vessel may be removed from the navigation. It will be appreciated that at the height of the boating season not all harbours can be visited on a daily basis, however, where there is a problem with a specific vessel and it is brought to the Inspectorate’s notice it will be followed up at that time.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Navigation Cruising

Q. Hi just wondering what the situation is regarding the harbour extension at GarrKennedy ? Are the moorings available for rent or is it purely for visitor boats ? Thanks Pete

A. Garrykennedy is a public harbour and is available free of charge from 1 Apr until 31 Oct each year. However, you are only allowed to berth in public harbours during this time for a period of 5 consecutive days or a total of 7 days in any one month. Outside of this period i.e 1 Nov until 31 Mar you can berth for the nominal sum of approximately €13.00. per month.
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Navigation

Q. Are there any Motor Boat Schools on the Shannon where I can learn to drive before I buy my first boat?

A. The Lough Ree Power Boat School, Hodson Bay, Athlone, Co Roscommon. Tel: 1890 70 40 90, +353 (0)49 9529750; Email: courses@powerboat.org; Web: www.powerboat.ie Lough Derg Powerboat School, Sallybay House, Derry Demesne, Ballina/Killaloe, Co Clare. Tel: +353 (0) 61 375474; Mobile: (0) 87 6100577; Email: denis@boatschool.ie; Web: www.boatschool.ie
Areas(s) : General Shannon Navigation Navigation Cruising Powerboat Sports

Q. Do boat owners have to register their boats with Waterways Ireland.

A. On the Erne System boats with an engine of more than 10bhp must be registered. On the Shannon Navigation boats with engines of more than 15bhp must be registered. On the Barrow Navigation, Grand Canal and Royal Canal, boats require a valid permit to enter and moor. Information on registration can be obtained from the Inspector of Navigation and Wardens offices
Areas(s) : Waterways Ireland General Navigation