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Starting Boating

Starting boating on the inland waterways is a new challenge many people take on each year for advent...

Boat Registration and Permits

Two craft management systems are in operation on the waterways managed by Waterways Ireland

Navigation Information

Waterways Ireland is the navigation authority for the Inland Navigable Waterways including the Barro...

Mooring Options

Waterways Ireland provides public moorings of different types all along the 1000km of navigable wate...

Extended Mooring Permits

Non-Residential Extended Mooring Permit (NR-EMP) permits the holder to moor in an allocated location...

On-Shore Services

Waterways Ireland provides a range of services on the navigations we manage

Boat Trips

The are many opportunities to join a scheduled boat trip on the inland waterways, most often with an...

Cruiser Hire

The network of lakes, river and canals that make up Irelands Inland Waterways are so variable they p...

Barge Hire

The network of lakes, river and canals that make up Irelands Inland Waterways are so variable they p...

Day Boat Hire

The network of lakes, river and canals that make up Irelands Inland Waterways are so variable they p...

Posted: 23/03/2023

Marine Notice No 20 of 2023 - Shannon Navigation - Ballyleague - Closure of Navigation - Repairs to Overheard Power Lines - Thursday 6th April 2023

Notice Number 20 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE
No. 20 of 2023

Shannon Navigation

Ballyleague

Closure of Navig...

Posted: 21/03/2023

Marine Notice No 18 of 2023 - Grand Canal - Tullamore - Lock 26 to Lock 27 - Lowered water levels from Monday 27th to Friday 31st March 2023

Notice Number 18 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE
No 18 of 2023

Grand Canal

Tullamore

Lock 26 to Lock 27

...

Posted: 21/03/2023

Marine Notice No 19 of 2023 - Erne System - Enniskillen - Castle Island - Closure of Navigation - Emergency repairs to Overheard Power Lines - Sat 25th March 2023

Notice Number 19 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE
No. 19 of 2023

Erne System
Enniskillen
Castle Island
Closure of Nav...

Posted: 20/03/2023

Marine Notice No 16 of 2023 - Shannon Navigation - Limerick - Reinstatement of Railway Bridge waiting jetties after winter period

Notice Number 16 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE
No. 16 of 2023

Shannon Navigation

Limerick

Reinstatement of Ra...

Posted: 20/03/2023

Marine Notice No 17 of 2023 - Erne System - High Water levels

Notice Number 17 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE
No. 17 of 2023

Erne System

High Water Levels

Waterways Ireland...

Posted: 14/03/2023

Marine Notice No 13 of 2023 - Grand Canal - Dublin - Lock C4 to C5 - Repairs to fixed jetties - Lowered water level - From Mon 3rd April 2023 for 8 weeks

Notice Number 13 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE
No 13 of 2023

Grand Canal

Dublin

Lock C4 to Lock C5

Rep...

Posted: 14/03/2023

Marine Notice No 15 of 2022 - Shannon Navigation - Tarmonbarry to Ballyleague - Navigation Closure - The Great River Swim - Sat 20 May 2023

Notice Number 15 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE

No. 15 of 2023

Shannon Navigation

Tarmonbarry to Ballyleague
...

Posted: 09/03/2023

Marine Notice No 12 of 2023 - Shannon Navigation - Limerick - Opening Times for Sarsfield Lock 2023

Notice Number 12 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE

No. 12 of 2023

SHANNON NAVIGATION

OPENING TIMES FOR SARSFIELD LOC...

Posted: 08/03/2023

Marine Notice No 11 of 2023 - Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow Line & Navigation - Renewal of permits for vessels & entry to canal network - Canal Act 1986 (Bye-Laws) 1988

Notice Number 11 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE
No 11 of 2023

Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow Line & Navigation
R...

Posted: 06/03/2023

Marine Notice No 133 of 2022 - Updated - Shannon Navigation - Lough Ree - Inchmore Point - Port hand marker back on station

Notice Number 133 of 2016

MARINE NOTICE
No. 133 of 2022

Updated

Shannon Navigation

Lough Ree

In...

Voyages & visits

The complete guide to Ireland's Inland Waterways and associated facilities

From the stately splendour of the Shannon, the antiquities of the Erne to the lush valleys of the Barrow, when you embark on a trip along Ireland’s waterways, hundreds of kilometres of fascinating waterscape unfold before your very eyes. Serving as an aquatic playground for boaters, canoeists, kayakers and anglers alike, all you need is time to enjoy its splendour, in whatever way you choose. Gathered together in this publication is the navigational and practical information that will help you to plan a voyage, or enjoy a visit to Ireland’s Inland Waterways.

 Recent Restoration Project

The infrastructure links the historic village of Meelick in east Galway to Lusmagh in west Offaly and forms part of the Hymany Way and the Beara-Breifne Way walking trails.  The weir was built in the 1840's as part of the Shannon Navigation. More than 300 metres in length, it has a 12-sluice barrage and maintains and regulates the navigation level for the section of waterway between Athlone (Lough Ree) and Meelick (Lough Derg)

Why not try some...

Select your waterway...

Barrow Navigation

​​Winding its way through peaceful woods, fertile valleys and picturesque villages th​e Barrow is fully navigable for 68km from Athy to St. Mullins. A significant canalised waterway right up to the 1950’s the Barrow’s industrial past saw commercial barges carrying consignments of barley to the Guinness Brewery in Dublin and later, supplying beet to Ireland’s first sugar factory at Carlow.​

Erne System

​The Erne System has its share of dramatic landscapes and historical treasures; the monastic round tower at Devenish Island rising up from the Lough, the ruined remains of Tully Castle, the picture postcard image of Enniskillen’s medieval castle on the edge of its island banks and the National Trust’s Castle Coole and Crom Estate all compete for your attention.

Grand Canal

​Built amid the 18th-century canal fever that swept across Ireland, the 144km Grand Canal stretches across the country from Dublin to the Shannon.

Lower Bann Navigation

The Lower Bann is navigable from Lough Neagh to the sea at the Barmouth between Castlerock and Portstewart Strand.​

Royal Canal

The Royal Canal, on its 146km journey from the River Liffey in Dublin to the Shannon, passes 46 working locks, 10 of them double-chambered.

Shannon Erne Waterway

Running between Leitrim Village and just north of Belturbet, the Shannon-Erne Waterway links the two great waterways on the island, the Erne System and the Shannon Navigation.

Shannon Navigation

​The Shannon is a treasure waiting to be discovered. The longest river in Ireland, the River Shannon and its lakes are a bustling, colourful navigation.

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

2030

As the North-South Cooperation Body responsible for vital shared heritage assets that stretch across the island of Ireland, Waterways Ireland has both an opportunity and a responsibility to be at the forefront of climate action.

KEY TARGETS INCLUDE THE ACHIEVEMENT BY 2030 OF AT LEAST:

51%

emmissions reduction

50%

improvement in energy efficiency

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