Waterways Ireland Marine Notice 2017/133
Shannon Navigation/Removal of objects from the River Shannon
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that consequent to a recent Health and Safety Audit a number of unsafe jetties, ancillary walkways, practices and services have been identified in the vicinity of the Railway Bridge on the West Bank of the River Shannon (Watergate, Accommodation Road (R446)), on Waterways Ireland property.
As a result of the Health and Safety Audit it has been decided to remove all un-safely moored vessels, dangerous access platforms, walkways, electrical cables and any other fittings deemed to be unsafe.
Works will commence as operationally convenient after 20 December 2017. Removed items may be stored at owner’s expense in accordance with Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws.
Shane Anderson // Assistant Inspector of Navigation // 01 December 2017
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Two stories from the Westmeath Independent
Irish waterways history 
Why ‘ The long acre’ In my youth in Athenry that was what the farmers called the grass verge along the road. The guards could,would, and did seize animals grazing there and impound them in the. Athenry pound only to release them on payment of a fine.
As an aside my spelling checker keeps suggesting At Henry for Athenry. I was once asked by an English motorist was he on the right road for At Henry. Later superceeded by two English elderly women motorists on Capel StReet asking could I direct them to the ferry in Dun-la-hare. I was tempted to ask did they meant Kingstown.
I’m lost! I can see a small pier here, but “the long acre”?
Wikipedia has the answer, which matches what Paul says. The long acre was also used by members of the travelling community.
The use of the long acre didn’t really interfere with anyone else and didn’t [or was believed not to] require permission, and it is those characteristics that struck me about the waterside, rather than roadside, long acre in Athlone. Some folk might call it a liminal area, but I wouldn’t.
bjg
Giles Byford, in Reedbound, says that, after they had survived the Irish Sea crossing [a superb piece of writing] in their barge, the Dublin port authorities told them that they might have to divert to Dun Laoghaire. They couldn’t see anywhere on the chart that looked as if it sounded like that.
But it works the other way too: some English placenames are traps for the unwary. Cholmondeley and Slaithwaite are two that come to mind.
bjg