Waterways Ireland wishes to advise Masters of Vessels and users of the Shannon Navigation that the Quest Lough Derg event takes place around Killaloe Co Clare and Ballina Co Tipperary on Saturday 21st September 2024.
The Shannon Navigation will be closed from 12pm on Friday 20th to 8pm on Saturday 21st September 2024. A floating pontoon will be placed across the Shannon Navigation approx. 100 metres upstream of Killaloe bridge. The pontoon will be lit during the hours of darkness and safety boats will be in the area while the pontoon is in place. No vessel or craft is permitted come within 100 metres of the pontoon while it is in position.
The slipway at Ballina will be closed while the pontoon is being constructed. Construction will take place from Tuesday 17th September to Friday 20th September and the pontoon will be dismantled on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September 2024. The slipway will be closed until 11am on Monday 23rd September 2024.
There will be restricted access to the Waterways Ireland jetties and pump out facility in Killaloe from 3pm on Friday 20th to 8pm on Saturday 21st September 2024. Mooring space will be available upstream of the pump out facility.
The flow gates on the Killaloe Canal will be manned from 6am to 7.45am on Saturday 21st September 2024 to facilitate anglers and smaller vessels that wish to proceed upstream or downstream on Saturday morning while the pontoon is in place.
Approx 1500 athletes will move along the Waterways Ireland jetties and cross the flow gates walkway in the morning and will return by the same route in the afternoon of Sat 21st September 2024. Care should be taken when using the jetties and flow gate walkway as there will be significant pedestrian traffic in these areas.
The kayaking element of Quest Lough Derg will take place at Twomilegate, Co Clare.
Masters are requested to take heed of advice and directions from safety craft monitoring the event and to proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash in the vicinity of Twomilegate and Killaloe during the event.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation.
P Harkin
Cdr NS (Rtd)
Inspector of Navigation
Waterways Ireland
16 September 2024