Arklow Marine Services reports:
The “Coill an Eo” a 26 metre works barge, used in maintaining buoys and markers on the Shannon and owned by Waterways Ireland, has recently been docked in Rooskey, Co. Roscommon.
The first job the Yard had to do was carry out ultrasonic readings on the vessels hull, both internally and externally. A new main engine, tailshaft, propeller and bearings are to be fitted to the vessel and a complete electrical installation carried out.
Coill an Eo in Limerick in 2003
More photos of WI vessels here.
Pat Sweeney, in Liffey Ships and Shipbuilding Mercier Press, Cork 2010, says that Coill an Eo, launched in 1969, was the last vessel built on the Alexandra Basin slipways. He describes her as “a small grab hopper dredger” and says that the £40,000 cost was shared by the Commissioners of Public Works (then responsible for the Shannon) and Bord Fáilte.
Irish waterways history 