Tag Archives: Waterways Ireland

Royal water

Posted on Monday 16 April 2012 | Leave a comment

Here is a page about feeders to the Royal Canal. My confidence in the accuracy of this list is low, so comments would be welcome.

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Posted in Extant waterways, Irish waterways general, Operations, Industrial heritage, Sources, Weather, Economic activities, Ashore, Built heritage, Engineering and construction, Waterways management, Ireland, waterways, Drainage

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Grand water

Posted on Monday 16 April 2012 | Leave a comment

Here is a page about the feeders that supplied water to the Grand Canal. There will soon be a page about the Royal Canal feeders; these will lead to an examination of the current and proposed supply of water to the Royal.

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Posted in Ashore, Built heritage, Drainage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Forgotten navigations, Industrial heritage, Ireland, Irish waterways general, Operations, Sources, waterways, Waterways management, Weather

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Risk

Posted on Sunday 15 April 2012 | Leave a comment

Here are some thoughts on risk management for waterways authorities, marine insurers and boat-owners.

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Posted in Economic activities, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Operations, Politics, waterways, Waterways management

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Royal water

Posted on Thursday 5 April 2012 | Leave a comment

The summit level of the Royal Canal has been closed until further notice because of shortage of water and the 34th and 35th levels have been closed until 20 April for emergency repairs. Marine Notices here, along with a general waarning about low water levels.

Met Éireann’s Monthly Summary for March 2012 [PDF] says:

Rainfall totals were relatively low for the time of year, with percentage of normal values below 50% in most locations. Mullingar [which is on the summit level of the Royal Canal] reported its driest March since 1961 (51 years), while most other stations reported their driest March in at least 7 years. Number of wet days recorded (days with 1 mm or more) was below average everywhere, with most stations measuring their lowest March maximum daily rainfall in seven to 39 years.

Can we have our normal weather back please? Or will that be coming in the “summer” months?

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Posted in Drainage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Forgotten navigations, Industrial heritage, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Irish waterways general, Natural heritage, Operations, Restoration and rebuilding, Waterways management, Weather

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Lowtown

Posted on Monday 2 April 2012 | Leave a comment

Statement from Lowtown Marine here.

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Posted in Ashore, Built heritage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Industrial heritage, Ireland, Irish waterways general, Operations, People, Politics, Sources, waterways, Waterways management

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Competition closed

Posted on Friday 30 March 2012 | Leave a comment

Nobody has attempted to identify this quay, so the competition is now closed and I’ll drink the sherry myself.

It is, of course, the downstream quay at Clarecastle at the head of the Fergus Navigation.

Clarecastle downstream

Here is the upstream quay, just around the corner.

Clarecastle upstream

The upstream quay bears the following inscription.

Inscription at Clarecastle

I really must return and get a better photo when it’s less slippy. Note that, although this is on tidal waters, Thomas Rhodes was the engineer.

Did you know that Clarecastle still has its own port authority? Go to this excellent pub and ask John Power about it. His brother (Dr Joe) wrote the definitive history of Clarecastle. John has lots of interesting old photos and maps on display in a really good traditional pub. He’s got a facetweet thingie too.

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Posted in Ashore, Built heritage, Charles Wye Williams, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Forgotten navigations, Industrial heritage, Ireland, Operations, People, Politics, Shannon, shannon estuary, Sources, Steamers, The cattle trade, waterways, Waterways management

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Upward-only rent reviews

Posted on Friday 30 March 2012 | Leave a comment

Upward-only rent reviews seem like one of the more insane inventions of recent years. But I suppose that, if you’re the landlord, they’re a Good Thing. So what are the ten marinas that have UORR leases from Waterways Ireland? Answers on a postcard please ….

h/t Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein), who brought this interesting waterways issue to light.

 

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Posted in Ashore, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Ireland, Operations, Shannon, Sources, Waterways management

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Lowtown

Posted on Friday 30 March 2012 | Leave a comment

Dáil Written answers Tuesday 27 March 2012

Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs: Harbours and Piers

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party):

Question 350: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he will take to prevent the eviction of residents by Waterways Ireland from Lowtown Marina near Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16675/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Minister, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael):

As the Deputy will appreciate, the issue referred to relates to operational day-to-day matters for Waterways Ireland (WI) and is one for which I have no direct responsibility. On foot of the Deputy’s Question, however, I have been informed by WI that for some time it has been endeavouring to regularise the ownership and lease arrangements at Lowtown Marina and that, following lengthy negotiations, it is in the process of recovering the property. WI advises that part of that recovery will be to restore the public right of way over the towpath and to remove any unauthorised developments attaching to the marina, especially those which present health and safety risks. I am advised also that certain remedial works are considered necessary, following inspections by WI’s safety advisor, and that these works require the removal of craft moored at the locations in question.

I understand from WI that affected persons living on board craft moored at Lowtown Marina have already been advised to contact WI’s Inspectorate in regard to alternative locations. I am informed that, ultimately, WI intends to re-develop the area in question and is presently examining possibilities for the site, including the installation of serviced berths for houseboats. Any such plans will, however, be contingent on available resources and planning permission.

Here’s a notable notice.

 

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Posted in Ashore, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Operations, Politics, waterways, Waterways management

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Waterways trees

Posted on Tuesday 20 March 2012 | 4 Comments

Nama to Nature has been planting trees at Keshcarrigan on the Shannon–Erne Waterway, along which far too many developers wanted to sell houses that would have fast boats parked outside. I don’t know whether my photo shows the Waterways estate or a different one.

Keshcarrigan September 2011

 

h/t Ireland after NAMA.

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Posted in Ashore, Built heritage, Drainage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Ireland, Irish waterways general, Natural heritage, Non-waterway, Politics, Restoration and rebuilding, Scenery, Tourism, Water sports activities, waterways, Waterways management

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Weed

Posted on Thursday 15 March 2012 | Leave a comment

I said recently that the water level on Lough Derg was low, as a result of a dry winter. Barge Hawthorn now reports that the weir at Clondra (Cloondara) is dry and Waterways Ireland has now issued a Marine Notice (23/2012: not yet on the WI website, but it may be there by the time you check) saying:

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise all masters and users of the Erne System that following a period of dry weather the water levels on Lower Lough Erne are below those normally experienced at this time of year.

WI Conver weed boat (and dinghy) in dry dock at Shannon Harbour

Reliable and authoritative sources tell me that the water levels in themselves are not the only problem. The dry, warm winter is likely to encourage the growth of weed, especially on the shallower waterways, including the canals and Upper Lough Erne. It seems that chemical methods can no longer be used so mechanical cutting and harvesting is the only method available. That means machinery and manpower. And with reduced resources, it’s going to be hard to keep the weeds down.

It may be wise to practise a rain dance.

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Posted in Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Irish waterways general, Natural heritage, Operations, People, Sources, waterways, Waterways management, Weather

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