Boating

Grand Canal

Boating on the Grand Canal

Boating on the Grand Canal is the ultimate in contrasts. The urban intensity of Dublin's south city centre contrasts so sharply with the rural expanses.
Linked to the Barrow by the Barrow Line, boating in this area offers both river and canal experiences and is where most of the hire companies are based.

Barge Hire (no license required)

On the Grand Canal and the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal, barge hire is available for people wanting to take charge of their own craft and direct their holiday albeit at a pace of no more than 5km per hour!!

Self-drive barges are suitable for 2 - 6 persons and can be hired from Barrowline Cruisers in Vicarstown from a few days to a few weeks.

Most companies require the barge to be returned to the base from which it was hired. Training is provided at the outset and lifejackets are provided by all companies. Support is also provided enroute should you run into difficulties.

Boat Trips

If you want to experience the pleasure of the canal's tranquil waters and don't have the confidence to skipper your own boat then why not try out a trip on a passenger boat such as Bargetrip.ie and Viking Splash Tours.

Use the See and Do listing to find further details on providers.

Start planning your experience

See & Do

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Barrowline Cruisers

Vicarstown
Stradbally
Co Laois

Dublin Vikings Dragon Boat Racing Club

Dublin Vikings Dragon Boat Racing Club,
South Dock Road,
Dublin 4

Jennifer's Travels Barge Hire

Bell Harbour,
Monasterevin,
Co. Kildare

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General Notices
Waterways Ireland manages the Grand Canal under the No. 3/1986 – Canals Act, 1986; which details the duties, powers and responsibilities of the organisation and the boat owner.
Bridges
The lowest bridge on the Grand Canal is the Ringsend Railway Bridge
Dry Docks
Location:
Shannon Harbour
There are two dry docks (one covered dry dock and one open dry dock) at Shannon Harbour with power facilities (110v). Power is paid for by means of meter readings.
Tullamore  CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO WORKS
One covered dry dock with power facilities (110v). Power is paid for by means of meter readings.
Cost:
€126 for first 3 days inclusive and €13.90 per day + security deposit of €250. Payment can be made by either cash or cheque to the Tullamore Office as part of the application procedure for the Dry Docks located on the Canals.

Accessiblity:
Waterways Ireland Dry Docks are suitable for flat bottomed vessels only. Any other hull shape will require a shoring/propping certification by a qualified person, before entry will be permitted into the dry dock. Some dry docks may require pumping out prior to use and to a lesser degree during usage. It will be the responsibility of the person hiring the dry dock to have this carried out.
Preparation
Before hiring a Waterways Ireland's dry dock facility to carry out boat repairs read the General Regulations Relating to the Use of Dry Docks.

Application  Process
Make an application a minimum of 30 days before the facility is needed.
Complete the Application Form
Attach an Insurance Verification Letter.
Read more about dry docks here.
Electricity & Water
Electricity shore power bollards are available at Grand Canal Basin and Lowtown. Please see below links for full details.
On Shore Services
Fuel is available from garages adjacent to the canal.
Inspectorate
The Waterways Ireland Inspectorate are responsible for the enforcement of the Bye-laws relating to each waterway. They issue Marine Notices, Permits and enforce compliance with the bye-laws as required.
The Assistant Inspector responsible for the Grand Canal is Shane Anderson, Harbour St, Tullamore Co Offaly Tel no +353 (0)87 2865726 or email shane.anderson@waterwaysireland.org.

Locks

Length & No of Locks

Main Line 131km from Dublin to the
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

Navigation Dimensions

Length of locks: 18.5m

Beam of locks: 3.9m

Draft: 1.2m (1m in Dublin)

Draft dimensions are given as a guide only and cannot be guaranteed.

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.

For assistance with locks, contact the lock-keepers on the numbers below:

Ringsend Basin	Mark Clarke	(087) 258 4713
Circular Line, Locks C1 - C7	Stephen Brierley	(086) 380 5657
Locks 1 - 8	John O'Brien	(087) 268 3723
Locks 9 - 13	Ray Moore	(086) 827 8025
Locks 14 - 18 & Naas Branch	Martin Fogarty	(087) 289 5611
Lock 19 - 20	James Conroy	(087) 245 6531
Locks 21 - 25	James Fisher	(087) 245 6525
Locks 26 - 28	Leo Monaghan	(087) 245 6541
Locks 29 - 31	Alan Lindley	(087) 245 6482
Locks 32 - 34	Alan Wynne	(087) 245 6609
Locks 35 - 36	Jason Pender	(087) 245 6587

Barrow Line

Locks 19 - 23	P J Donegan	(086) 380 7534
Locks 24 - 26	Joe Moore	(087) 247 3093
Locks 26 - 28	Noel Cross	(087) 951 0777

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.

For further information on navigating and boat queries contact the Inspectorate:
Assistant Inspector of Navigation
Waterways Ireland, Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly
Tel no +353 (0)57 935 2300
Marine Notices
Marine Notices are used by Waterways Ireland to inform the public of changes to the usage of the waterways and may be permanent or temporary. Temporary notices are followed by a withdrawal notice to inform customers of the end to the impediment to navigation. They are issued by the Inspector Of Navigation to whom all queries can be directed. If you would like to receive marine notices by email, send a request to inspectorate.athlone@waterwaysireland.org
Marine Notices
Permits and Registration
On the Grand Canal all boats must display a valid Combined Mooring and Passage Permit. This annual Permit includes mooring and lock passage charges and is the only permit required if boats intend to cruise continuously staying 5days or less in any one location. Boats intending to stay more than five days in any one location will require an Extended Mooring Permit.

Combined Mooring & Passage Permit €126
Extended Mooring & Passage Permit €152
You can apply for a permit online here. You can also contact Waterways Ireland, Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly Ph: +353 (0)57 93 52300 to request a copy of the application by post.
Public Mooring Time Limits
On the Grand Canal a boat holding a Combined Mooring & Passage Permit can moor at the same public mooring or within 500 metres of the same place for 5 days.
Service Blocks
Services
Toilets, showers and laundry facilities are available in the Service Block at Shannon Harbour. Smart Cards are used to operate the services and can be purchased online, from the Lock-keeper on Tel no +353 (0)87 245 6587 or from Waterways Ireland Offices and local outlets.
Slipways
Slipways are provided at the following locations to facilitate access to the Grand Canal:
Grand Canal Dock/Ringsend
Clondalkin
Robertstown
George's Brige, Edenderry
Waterways Ireland Depot, Tullamore
Rathangan
Monasterevin
Smart Cards
Smart cards are used to operate the locks on the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Shannon Navigation and service blocks along the waterways. The cards are also used to gain access to the service blocks and to use the services.
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
The smart cards cost €6.35 for a 10Unit card or €12.70 for a 20Unit card and can be purchased from the Patrollers, Lockkeepers, Waterways Ireland’s online shop www.shopwaterwaysireland.org and retail outlets along the waterway. Information on all outlets can be found here.
Speed Limit and 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.
Entering the waterway 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

Posted: 21/09/2021

Marine Notice No 64 of 2021 - Grand Canal - Naas Branch - Lock N1 closed due to damage to bridge

Notice Number 64 of 2021

Posted: 21/09/2021

Marine Notice No 64 of 2021 - Grand Canal - Naas Branch - Lock N1 closed due to damage to bridge

Notice Number 64 of 2021

Posted: 27/08/2021

Marine Notice No 58 of 2021 - Grand Canal Main Line, Barrow Line and Royal Canal - low water levels - cautionary advice

Notice Number 58 of 2021

Posted: 30/07/2021

Marine Notice No 46 of 2021 - Grand Canal Barrow Line - Low water levels on 26th Level - Cautionary advice

Notice Number 46 of 2021

Posted: 03/10/2018

Marine Notice 109 of 2018 - All Canals - Permit requirements for mooring of vessels and prohibition of discharge of polluting material (holding tanks)

Notice Number 109 of 2018

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Boating

Boating on the Grand Canal

​​Barge Hire (no license required)

Boat Trips

Start planning your experience

Barrowline Cruisers

Dublin Vikings Dragon Boat Racing Club

Jennifer's Travels Barge Hire

Barge Hire (no license required)