Tag Archives: Dublin

Residential boating

Posted on Friday 31 May 2013 | 1 comment

Thanks to KildareStreet.com for alerting me to this written Dáil answer, to two questions, on Inland Waterways Development on 30 May 2013.

Clare Daly [Socialist Party, Dublin North]: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will engage with local stakeholders to develop a waterways strategy that facilitates those who want to live on houseboats.

Clare Daly [Socialist Party, Dublin North]: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the contact he has had with Waterways Ireland to promote and facilitate houseboats as an alternative lifestyle choice, potential amenity and tourist asset.

Jimmy Deenihan [FG Kerry North/West Limerick]: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 36 together. As the Deputy will be aware, I directly engage with Waterways Ireland through the Inland Waterways meetings of the North South Ministerial Council. I should say that officials in my Department also have ongoing engagement with Waterways Ireland and meet directly with the organisation on a regular basis. The issues referred to by the Deputy are operational matters for Waterways Ireland. However, I have been informed by Waterways Ireland that they have installed facilities for houseboats at Shannon Harbour and are in the process of developing facilities at Lowtown and Sallins.

I am also informed that Waterways Ireland is currently in negotiations in relation to the change of use of berths in Grand Canal Dock from short term mooring to long term mooring to facilitate houseboats. These developments are part of Waterways Ireland’s recognition of the potential amenity, tourism and lifestyle benefits that well managed houseboat locations with suitable houseboats can bring to the navigation network within its remit.

As regards engagement with local stakeholders in the development of a water strategy that facilitates houseboat dwellers, again this is an operational matter for Waterways Ireland. I encourage and support such engagement with local stakeholders. Waterways Ireland has informed me that they will continue to take into account the views of all its stakeholders when formulating policy in relation to the use of the waterways.

So “well managed houseboat locations with suitable houseboats”? Some current adopters of the “alternative lifestyle choice” may be worried about that. I don’t know what Ms Daly hoped to achieve there, but I don’t think Jimmy Deenihan was giving much away.

1 Comment

Posted in Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Operations, People, Politics, Sources, Tourism, Water sports activities, waterways, Waterways management

Tagged boats, canal, Clare Daly, department of arts heritage and the gaeltacht, Dublin, Grand Canal, Grand Canal Dock, Jimmy Deenihan, Lowtown, Operations, Royal Canal, Sallins, Shannon Harbour, vessels, waterways, Waterways Ireland

Sinn Féin and the Heritage Boat Association

Posted on Friday 24 May 2013 | 2 comments

KildareStreet again: a Dáil written answer from Wednesday 22 May 2013.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh [SF, Dublin South Central]: 273. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Waterways Ireland has decided to suspend the much-needed dredging works on the Grand Canal with only one section left to be completed and that that section of canal is shallowest due to years of silt and years of dumping and that this impacts on barges trying to traverse the canal, the delay in recommencing the dredging could seriously impact on plans by Dublin City Council to install a cycle track from Bluebell to Harold’s Cross, due to heavy equipment for any future dredging works having to locate on the northside of the canal where the cycle track would be,as the LUAS is on the other side; if he will ensure that funding for the dredging project to recommence works urgently be made available for Waterways Ireland. [24714/13]

Alan Kelly [Labour, Tipperary North]: I am not aware of a decision by Waterways Ireland to suspend dredging works on the Grand Canal. As you know, Waterways Ireland are a state agency under the agency of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. However, responsibility for the management of funding programmes related to the development of cycling infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area rests with the National Transport Authority (NTA). Accordingly, to be of assistance, I have referred this question to the NTA for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if a reply has not been received within ten working days.

I have been told that Waterways Ireland has issued no new dredging tenders this year; perhaps it’s saving up for the Cavan and Monaghan sheughs. However, I can’t check: Waterways Ireland isn’t showing tenders on its new website, sending the curious instead to a Eurosite that I can’t persuade to tell me anything interesting. Any difficulty for barges should make itself apparent shortly.

2 Comments

Posted in Ashore, Built heritage, Drainage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Operations, People, Politics, Restoration and rebuilding, Sources, waterways, Waterways management

Tagged barge, boats, bridge, canal, dredging, Dublin, Grand Canal, Ireland, Operations, Sinn Fein, waterways, Waterways Ireland, workboat

Thon Cavan Sheugh

Posted on Friday 24 May 2013 | 4 comments

Thanks to Kildare Street for this, which came up in Dáil written answers on Wednesday 22 May 2013.

Brendan Smith [FF, Cavan-Monaghan]: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the feasibility study that has been underway for some time in relation to the proposed extension of the Erne Navigation from Belturbet to Killykeen and Killeshandra; when this study will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24538/13]

Jimmy Deenihan [FG Kerry North/West Limerick]: I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the current position is that work is continuing on the collection of data relating to this project and Waterways Ireland is currently preparing draft options for the project. At that point consultants will then assess the environmental implications of the options. It is expected that the feasibility study will be completed as planned by the end of 2013.

That’s Lough Oughter they’re talking about. If thon Monaghan boys are getting a sheugh, Cavan boys need one too. And, of course, consultants are having a hard time so they could benefit by earning a few bob. The net benefit to the economy will be pretty well nil (any spending will simply be displaced from elsewhere).

I think that Killykeen is a forest park; it is not clear how the local economy would benefit from the arrival of a few boats. If the folk of the area want a unique water-based attraction that might bring foreign tourists, they would be better advised to have the lake made an engine-free zone, open only to boats rowed, paddled or sailed, and with safe places to camp on the banks.

You can read here about how to get a boat from Belturbet to Lough Oughter.

4 Comments

Posted in Ashore, Built heritage, Drainage, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Forgotten navigations, Industrial heritage, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Irish waterways general, Natural heritage, Operations, People, Politics, Restoration and rebuilding, Scenery, Sources, Steamers, Tourism, Ulster Canal, Water sports activities, waterways, Waterways management

Tagged boats, canal, Clones, department of arts heritage and the gaeltacht, Dublin, Erne, Ireland, Killeshandra, Killykeen, lock, lost, Lough Oughter, Operations, Shannon-Erne Waterway, vessels, water level, waterways, Waterways Ireland, weir

Funding the Sheugh

Posted on Sunday 12 May 2013 | 1 comment

The Sunday newspaper read by the better class of person tells us today [paywalled]:

Coalition frees up cash for construction

The government has signalled that it intends to spend more money next year on building projects in a bid to use spare cash, including savings from the promissory note deal, to stimulate the economy and promote job creation.

The Department of Public Expenditure has written to other government departments asking them to submit lists of capital projects in addition to what has already been planned.

The projects selected are likely to include housing, retro-fitting of housing stock, schools, local roads, primary care centres and other health facilities and it is hoped to boost job creation, especially in the decimated construction sector. It is likely that preference will be given to “shovel-ready” projects that can be progressed to the tender stage almost immediately.

I suppose it’s a change from piers and seed potatoes and other famine relief works. I wonder what the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht will be digging out of its bottom drawer.

53 Percy Place, Dublin

And I wonder whether 53 Percy Place, which was to be sold, and was expected to raise €1 600 000 for the Clones Sheugh, will still be in WI’s hands in a year or two.

1 Comment

Posted in Ashore, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Foreign parts, Forgotten navigations, Industrial heritage, Ireland, Non-waterway, Operations, People, Politics, Restoration and rebuilding, Sources, The turf trade, Ulster Canal, waterways, Waterways management

Tagged barge, bridge, canal, Clones, department of arts heritage and the gaeltacht, Dublin, Grand Canal, Ireland, Operations, Percy Place, sheugh, Sunday Business Post, waterways, Waterways Ireland

Quick! Duck!

Posted on Sunday 12 May 2013 | Leave a comment

The Thing from the deep

South Dublin

Posted on Sunday 12 May 2013 | 2 comments

Use a little wine for thy stomach's sake

The wine fleet

Incidentally, after visiting the dangerous shores of south Dublin, through the soulless canyons of lawyers’, accountants’ and tax-dodgers’ offices, I am led to wonder whether latte is Bucky for the bourgeoisie. What a ghastly place the area round the Grand Canal Dock has become.

2 Comments

Posted in Ashore, Economic activities, Engineering and construction, Extant waterways, Industrial heritage, Ireland, Irish inland waterways vessels, Non-waterway, People, Politics, Steamers, Water sports activities, waterways, Waterways management

Tagged barge, Barrow, boats, bridge, Bucky, canal, Dublin, Grand Canal, Grand Canal Dock, Ireland, Operations, Ringsend, vessels, waterways, Waterways Ireland, wine

Floating party venue

Posted on Tuesday 7 May 2013 | 1 comment

The Belfast Telegraph has a story about the death of a young man in Grand Canal Dock, Ringsend, Dublin. It says that he

[…] was last seen onboard a former German police river boat, which has been converted into a floating party venue.

I think the boat is Polizei 69, but I can find little information about its location or operations. The newspaper article is not clear how the young man’s having been on a boat was related to the accident.

1 Comment

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

Tagged boats, canal, Dublin, Grand Canal, Grand Canal Dock, Ireland, Operations, Polizei 69, Ringsend, vessels, waterways, Waterways Ireland