Nothing to do with waterways, but I was struck by what I hope was an unplanned turn of phrase in this account of the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa:
“All this speculation about where he is and he’s not,” Zerilli said. “They say he was in a meat grinder. It’s all baloney.”
Well, you know, one rather hopes not.
I see that Emerald Star offer what they call a Southern Shannon Cruise, which starts at Carrick-on-Shannon and goes all the way south to … Athlone. Athlone may be in the midlands, yes, but not in the south.
Locaboat tells us that
All the countries of Europe have agreed to facilitate access to hire-boats which are duly equipped and certified, and operate in tourist areas where there is little commercial shopping [presumably “shipping”].
In France, Germany [list of areas], Ireland, Holland, Poland and the Venice Lagoon Locaboat has received permission from the local authorities for their boats to be hired without licence. Initial instruction, both theoretical and practical, is given at the point of embarkation, enabling you to quickly master your boat and grasp the essential rules of navigation. You will then be given a licence that is valid for the duration of your stay.
When you’re starting from Ketzin in Germany, however, a boating licence is obligatory. This is not valid for citizens from countries that don’t have a boating license (e.g. Great Britain or Denmark).
This suggests that Ireland does have a boating licence, which is the first I’ve heard of it.
On its English-language front page, incidentally, Locaboat bigs up the fact that licences are not required in Poland:
Licence free hiring now also in Poland
Good news: Due to a new regulation, since 1st August 2010 a boating license is no longer required for our boats in Poland! Now a barge trip in the natural paradise of the Masurian Lake District becomes even more attractive.
And very nice it looks too. I wonder whether the Polish lakes have provided extra competition for the Irish.
Posted in Economic activities, Extant waterways, Foreign parts, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Operations, Restoration and rebuilding, Shannon, Sources, Tourism, waterways, Waterways management
Tagged Ballinamore, boats, bridge, canal, Clondra, Erne, Ireland, Locaboat, Operations, penichette, Royal Canal, Shannon
I asked IBRA about the absence of its members from Revenue’s list of holders of Marked Fuel Trader’s Licences. I was surprised by the absence as I believe IBRA members to be compliant with Revenue demands; for example, they (and I) are amongst the few making Mineral Oil Tax returns.
I am happy to say that IBRA members have registered for the new licence and are compliant with the requirements, but it seems that the Revenue lists are not up to date. That raises the possibility that other waterways-based traders have been omitted; if that is so, I would be glad to hear of them.
As far as I can see, from the new list published by Revenue today. there is still only one trader along the Shannon who is licensed to sell marked fuel (green diesel).
Posted in Economic activities, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Operations, People, Politics, Shannon, waterways, Waterways management
Tagged boats, bridge, Ciaran Fallon, fuel, green diesel, Ireland, marked fuel, rebated, Rooskey, Roosky, Shannon, tax, trader's licence, waterways
From the Limerick Chamber of Commerce letter book page 89.
Posted in Economic activities, Ireland, People, Politics, Shannon, Sources
Tagged 1825, Earl of Limerick, House of Commons, House of Lords, Ireland, Limerick, promissory note, Thomas Spring Rice
Eek.
[h/t WW]
Posted in Extant waterways, Foreign parts, Operations, Water sports activities
Tagged Chertsey
Here is a page with some photos of what was said to be a Slaney Cot. The photos were taken in October 2010, in the car waiting area at Rosslare harbour; the cot was on a trailer, en route to Fishguard. It was said to have been built in Wexford and to be destined for the River Wye.
Posted in Built heritage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Foreign parts, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Restoration and rebuilding, Water sports activities, waterways
Tagged boats, cot, Fishguard, Ireland, Rosslare, Slaney, traditional, Wales, waterways, Wye
I have added a few more photos at the bottom of this page of pics of Waterways Ireland vehicles.
Irish waterways history 