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.
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
Tagged boats, canal, Celtic Tiger, Ireland, Keshcarrigan, NAMA, Operations, Shannon-Erne Waterway, trees, waterways, Waterways Ireland
Mr Hogan said he had been negotiating with the European Commission in 2011 and 2012 to minimise the impact of new septic tank regulations.
That’s from this article in the Irish Times.
Why does this chap want to minimise the impact of his own department’s regulations? Is he not at all interested in water quality?
Angela, would you mind invading please?
The lake level seems to be down about a foot. Two rumours purport to account for this: either (a) the powers-that-be want us to get used to a new, lower level, so that we won’t notice when Dublin starts extracting water, or (b) the ESB is generating as much electricity as it can before it starts getting charged for water. Such charges would be covered by the same European Commission reasoned opinion as that mentioned here that might see Waterways Ireland being charged to fill the Grand, Royal and SEW.
Or, of course, it could just be that there hasn’t been much rain. According to Met Éireann’s seasonal summary for winter 2012 [two-page PDF]:
Majority of rainfall totals were below normal for winter across the southern half of the country and in some parts of the east. Rainfall totals were below average in the majority of these parts during December and January, while all stations reported dry conditions in February. Most stations the east and south reported a below average number of wetdays (days with 1 mm or more) and the driest winter since 2006 (6 years).
Ardnacrusha usually runs fewer turbines in summer.
Posted in Ashore, Built heritage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Industrial heritage, Ireland, Irish waterways general, Non-waterway, Operations, Politics, waterways, Waterways management, Weather
Tagged Dublin, ESB, Grand Canal, Ireland, Lough Derg, Royal Canal, Shannon-Erne Waterway, waterways, Waterways Ireland
The Offaly Express has a story about a new Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, which includes this information:
As part of a wider redevelopment of the area by Tullamore Town Council, visitors will approach the new Centre along a canal-side boardwalk from which they enter a reclaimed and renovated vintage barge which will house the ticket office and a presentation on the local history of the canal produced in association with Waterways Ireland.
Always pleased to see barges being used, of course, but I’d like to know where it will be parked and how that will affect the usable width of the canal. I’m sure that was considered at planning stage, but I can’t find any documents on the ePlanning system so I’d welcome enlightenment from anyone who knows.
Posted in Ashore, Built heritage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Industrial heritage, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Non-waterway, Restoration and rebuilding, Tourism, waterways, Waterways management
Tagged boats, canal, Dew, Grand Canal, Grant, Ireland, quay, Tullamore, vessels, waterways, Waterways Ireland, whiskey
Nice PQ from Éamon Ó Cuív here:
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail). Question 446: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Waterways Ireland will have to pay for the abstraction of water for use in the Royal Canal, the Grand Canal, the Shannon-Erne Waterway and other man-made waterways as a result of the reasoned opinion from the European Union in November 2011; the reply sent by him regarding same to the Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8122/12]
Here is the European Commission’s press release on the subject.
Posted in Drainage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Ireland, Irish waterways general, Non-waterway, Operations, Politics, Shannon, Sources, waterways, Waterways management
Tagged abstraction, Éamon Ó Cuív, canal, Grand Canal, Ireland, Royal Canal, Shannon-Erne Waterway, use, water, waterways, Waterways Ireland
Irish waterways history 