Waterways Ireland | Things To Do
Things To Do
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Boating

Boating

There are many types of boating that can be enjoyed on the waterways of Ireland, from cruising to power boats, ferry transfers and boats with luxurious overnight accommodations, 1 hour trips to all day experiences with refreshments and food served aboard!

Boat Hire Inform​​ation: Information on chartering or hiring boats on Ireland's waterways. Includes details on hiring barges and cruisers -

Boat Owner Information: Owning your own boat on the Inland waterways does offer a special freedom to the owner -

On your journey around the Shannon & Shannon-Erne waterways, you are likely to see a new brand appearing, called "Blueways Ireland". Blueways are a network of multi-activity trails - paddling, walking and cycling – based on or closely linked with the water, together with providers facilitating access to activities and experiences. These outdoor recreation opportunities are there to be enjoyed by everyone, so we would especially encourage boaters to please be aware of and have special regard for small craft in the water. For more information on Blueways trails please click here.

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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...

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...

Winter Mooring

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters that the winter mooring period for Waterways Ireland'...

Dry Docks

Waterways Ireland Dry Docks are suitable for flat bottomed vessels.  Any other hull shape will ...

Why not try Boating on...

Barrow Navigation

The Barrow Navigation is a wonderful river to explore by boat with the lateral canals providing a ch...

Erne System

The lakes and river sections making up the Erne System are really popular for boating, but the vast ...

Grand Canal

Boating on the Grand Canal is the ultimate in contrasts. The urban intensity of Dublin's south c...

Shannon Navigation

Boating on the Shannon is really accessible with a full range of trips, day boats and cruiser hire a...

Shannon Erne Waterway

The Shannon-Erne Waterway, open since 1994 is a unique canal on Ireland's inland waterways. An e...

Boating on the Lower Bann

Lower Bann Navigation

Boating on the Lower Bann has its own unique properties. Activity on the river in the main comes fro...

Select your waterway...

Barrow Navigation

​​​​​Winding its way through peaceful woods, fertile valleys and picturesque villages the 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.​

More fun activities to try...

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