IWN Spring 2016

inland waterways news inland waterways news IWN IWN Volume 43, number 1 Summer 2009 SPrInG 2016 Volume 36 , number 6 WATER SAFETY AWARDS CSIG UPDATE TENDER TIME



PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE As I sit down to write this report, I reflect on the last three years and how time goes CONTENTS by so quickly. The Association faced many highlights and challenges. The main highlight during my term as President was the Diamond Anniversary of IWAI 2 NAVIGATION NOTICES in 2014. Many events were organised by various branches 3 NEWS to celebrate this great 5 WI REPORT milestone and to remember and be grateful to our 6 HEAD OFFICE REPORT founding members for their campaigning work for the 7 ENDEAVOUR CUP development and conversation of the inland waterways for all to use and enjoy. 8 AGM NOTICE 9 HERITAGE BILL 2016 Another highlight and following many decades of IWAI campaigning North and South of the border, the announcement 10 WATER ABSTRACTION that monies has been secured to restore a section of the Ulster Canal from the Erne to the International Scouts Centre at Castle 11 BOOK REVIEW Sanderson near Belturbet is indeed very welcome. Waterways Ireland has commenced work on this section and boaters and 12 OBIT: PAT NEWMAN waterway users eagerly await completion of this part of the 13 IT’S A RELATIVITY THING project. 14 CSIG Good news in that a meeting was held recently by a group of interested people to establish the Ulster Canal Branch of the 16 ENNISCORTHY FLOOD RELIEF Association. It looks promising and a new branch in that area would be very welcome. 18 TOWING THE LINE 20 TENDER TIME The Canals Action Group swung into action again in January to deal with the Heritage Bill 2016 and its proposed amendments to 22 HOLY ISLAND the Canals Act 1986, the primary legislation that governs the Grand and Royal Canals and the Barrow Navigation. The 23 GOING WITH THE FLOW amendments enable Waterways Ireland to introduce bye-laws, appoint authorised officers with varied powers and to deal with all 25 BRANCH REPORTS contraventions to the bye-laws through the District Court without 25 RBLNA an independent appeals mechanism. 26 Lough Erne 27 Dublin All of this came to the attention of IWAI with no prior 28 Offaly notification. In short order, the CAG sought feedback on the 29 Newry amendments from branches countrywide and the positive 30 Belturbet response resulted in the IWAI view being aired in the Seanad. This 31 Boyle action, coupled with serious opposition from other heritage 32 River Corrib groups meant that the bill has not been passed by the Oireachtas. 33 Lagan Sincere thanks to the members & branches who provided 34 Kildare feedback and to the CAG headed up by Alan Kelly, John Dolan & 35 Slaney Greg Whelan. (See report on p9 – ed) 36 Lough Derg 37 Barrow The Association has recently forwarded a submission to Irish Water emphasising IWAI's deep concerns with the current 38 Carrick-on-Shannon preferred option by Irish Water to abstract water from the Parteen 39 Shannon Harbour Basin. The Parteen proposal presents not just a risk to Lough Derg 40 Athlone Boyne but to the entire Shannon System if the level of supply has to be 42 Cruising Club Powerboat kept at a particular level. As mentioned before, this will present a 43 large threat to boaters and waterway users in the near future. 44 RCAG REPORT Special thanks to Greg Whelan for compiling this submission to Irish Water. (See p10 – ed) Next Issue: SUMMER 2016 The Annual General Meeting will be held in the Tullamore Court Publication Date: 6 June 2016 Hotel on Friday 22 April. The AGM is open to all members, please come along, your support will be very much appreciated INLAND WATERWAYS NEWS I feel very humble and honoured to have held the position of President for the past three years. I would sincerely like to thank Magazine of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland all members of the IWAI Executive who helped and supported me Opinions expressed in the Inland Waterways News are not necessarily over the past three years those of the IWAI To council members, branch officers and of course members of the Association, thank you Editor: Colin Becker. E-Mail: [email protected]. Post: 2 Kylemore Park, Taylor’s Hill, Galway Safe and trouble free boating in 2016 Sub-Editor: Nicki Griffin Carmel Meegan President, IWAI Cover photo: Dublin Diving Bell by Ciaran Bayly Layout & Printing: I-Supply, Galway Issue 43, Number 1. ISSN 1649-1696 Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 1

NEWS Navigation Editor’s Corner problem of Shannon River flooding has been the subject of Notices much study over the past 150 years. Because of the flat terrain through which the river flows, the WATERWAyS IRElAND almost imperceptible gradient of the stream with its series of lakes and connecting channels, and SHANNON MN#6 of 2/2/16 because of the large volume and long duration of flooding, no NAVIGATION Newcomen Bridge Lift Dates WI has issued with details of simple or obvious solution has heretofore been found-nor has MN#11 of 11/2/16 dates for lifting of Newcomen the writer now found one.’ Killaloe/Ballina - Floating Railway Bridge to allow Jetties Closed passage into and out of Dublin Well, that was some winter. The publication by the Dept. of The floating jetties along the Royal Canal. See When it gets to the point of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht downstream of Killaloe below for details. people sending you aerial photos of the Heritage Bill 2016 in early Bridge on the Ballina side are of your boat floating in the January (see P9) which proposed closed to the public due to MN#143 of 12/11/15 middle of what appears to be a to make a number of changes to storm/flood damage. A Level 8 - Closure for works field, you start to get a bit the Wildlife Acts, the Canals Act further MN will advise. Level 8 will be closed to March anxious. The effects of the and the Heritage Act seemed like 2016 for canal widening and flooding have been well discussed a somewhat clumsy and frankly MN#10 of 11/2/16 jetty & canoe facility in a variety of other places and underhand way of introducing Mountshannon - Floating construction. are turning up as a regular topic changes in these areas. Jetties Closed of discussion on the doorsteps for The floating jetties in GRAND AND ROYAL many of the General Election Many commented on what Mountshannon are closed to CANALS candidates down south. appeared to be the undue haste the public due to storm/flood in the attempt to push the bill damage. A further MN will We can only sympathise with through the Oireachtas and in advise. MN#7 of 2/2/16 those who have been affected relation to the canals section at Passage through Dublin around the Shannon catchment, least, one was left with the MN#9 of 8/2/16 2016 around Lough Neagh and in many feeling that all the talk about Limerick - Floating WI has issued details of other parts of the island. The consultation and engagement Breakwater arrangements for passage words of Louis E Rydell of the with customers and the public The floating breakwater at through Dublin in 2016. See United States Army Corps of was just that. Talk. the entrance to the Abbey website for details. Engineers on the River Shannon River has carried away and . flood problem in August 1956 Colin Becker , Editor will remain secured at the come to mind though: ‘The entrance to Sarsfield's Lock downstream of the weir until repairs can be effected. A NEWCOMEN RAIlWAy BRIDGE (aka The Effin Bridge) further Marine Notice will advise. 2016 lIfT SChEDulE SEW Date Day Time Low Tide April 14 Thursday 11am-1pm 11.42am MN#142 of 12/11/15 Lock 8, Castlefore - May 1 Sunday 9am-1pm 13.08pm Closure for works Lock 8 Castlefore will be May 28 Saturday 9am-1pm 10.28am closed until the end of March 2016 for remedial works to June 14 Tuesday 11am-1pm 13.49pm the masonry within the lock July 12 Tuesday 11am-1pm 12.00pm chamber and associated lock infrastructure. Aug 25 Thursday 11am-1pm 11.17am Oct 10 Monday 11am-1pm 12.50pm ROYAL CANAL MN#8 of 8/2/16 Fowlards Bridge – Closure Canal is closed at Fowlard's Bridge (where the N55 crosses the canal east of Ballybrannigan Harbour) until March 16 for essential bridge maintenance works by Longford Co Co. The Effin Bridge Photo: Conor Nolan 2 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

NEWS DEMAND fOR WATER BASED lEISuRE ACTIVITy In their January Newsletter, the such activities) as a function of Economic & Social Research site characteristics, including What value clean water ? Institute (ESRI) published some water quality. The analysis will be Photo: Noel Griffin information about a new project based on Waterways Ireland entitled Demand For Water survey data of recreational Based Leisure Activity. water-users and water quality data from EPA and Dept of The project summary says: Environment, Northern Ireland. The objective is to estimate using revealed preference data, The project is being funded by recreational water-users’ the Republic’s Environmental valuation of water quality by Protection Agency and the idea Water Framework Directive is to assess how the quality of about the quality of the water in example) relate to the quality of status. The intention is to the environment affects people’s the different areas from EPA and the environment. estimate demand preference value or use of the environment DoENI. The idea is to provide models for water-based for leisure purposes. The study information for policy makers The study is trying to put some recreational activity across 24 will address questions like about what is important to the sort of value on the quality of locations on the island of Ireland whether the quality of the water users. The study is attempting to the environment. as a function of water quality affects the level of activity or the use ‘revealed’ rather than and other characteristics. These benefit that people feel they get ‘stated’ preferences. By this they While to study is essentially desk models will be used to estimate from the activity. mean they are trying to assess based, it is intended to hold a the value (willingness to pay) of how peoples actual preferences, public seminar later in the year water-based leisure activities The study will use data collected expressed in terms of what they to discuss the findings. (e.g. angling, boating, etc) by Waterways Ireland over the actually do (rather than what Further details on www.esri.ie (distinct from estimates of past couple of years on the levels they say in an interview for expenditures associated with of activity, spend etc and Colin Becker supplement these with data lETTERS TO ThE EDITOR STAffING Sir, Is this the same Waterways Ireland that has taken money I would like to ask readers if ChANGES ON from boaters for an Extended they could help me by answering a question that arose Mooring Permit along with in my mind subsequent to having already taken money having read the article on the from them for an annual CANAlS Combined Mooring and Bye-Laws from Waterways Passage Permit which, as the Ireland on P3 of the Autumn 2015 issue of IWN. I fully agree name implies, allows mooring with many of the points made, for a period of one year? to review the work of the lock that the existing bye-laws need Is this the same Waterways IWN understands that there are Keepers/Water-patrollers. changes afoot in the staffing updating and I’m all for Ireland that placed a sticker on Following an analysis of the compliance. I also agree that my boat threatening to remove levels on the canals in the boat movements, we are Eastern Region. something needs to be done to it from the water and charge satisfied that the Lock address non-compliance along me for both the lift and storage We understand that from March Keepers/Waterway-patrollers with many other issues, while I was displaying a valid this year lock-keepers will be re- are sufficiently staffed to meet including harbour-hogging. Combined Mooring and named ‘Waterway Patrollers’ and boating needs and should Passage Permit? that a number of keepers are have minimal effect on normal My confusion though arises being re-assigned, taking because of the way the article My questions therefore are: Are voluntary redundancy or boating operations. seems to portray Waterways there two organisations with retirement in the coming We will endeavour to supply Ireland as a benevolent the name Waterways Ireland? months. adequate support for boating caretaker of our beloved Secondly, is the Waterways rallies and other events navigations whose sole Ireland in the article the one This will reduce the staffing through our Waterways intention is to create a watery that has the statutory obligation complement from 19 to 14 with Ireland staff together with the haven for us all to enjoy. as the custodians of the canals water management being the support of volunteers.’ to keep them open for prime responsibility. The 14 Is this the same Waterways navigation? You see I have number is expected to reduce to We also understand that there Ireland that our association has 12 over the next few years. are plans to introduce a level some questions to ask that one been battling at both local and of automation at certain government levels for the past because I fear the one I have When asked about these locations to further reduce the years as a result of the encounters with seems to me to changes WI said: need for staff on the ground. draconian and non boat friendly be trying to close them down. ‘The increasing pressure on the Colin Becker legislation they are striving to Yours etc, finances of Waterways Ireland, introduce? caused by the steady reduction Niall O’Dowda of financing from the two PRO IWAI Kildare Governments, has lead the Body Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 3



ROyAl CANAl Spring and the prospect of a new boating season provide the opportunity to tidy up the waterways Hedge/tree cutting in advance of NCN cyclepath and reinstate flood damaged areas in preparation commencing. for the coming year. Lyneen: Leakage repair works. As a result of record flooding in ShANNON-ERNE WATERWAy December/January, the assessment of the damage caused to the navigation infrastructure BARROW Routine maintenance activities will continue to will be carried out and repair works scheduled. The process of assessing the damage caused by ensure that public facilities remain in a safe, user the very severe flooding in late December and friendly condition. Portumna: As a result of record flooding in December/January, works on upgrade to Castle early January is still ongoing. Works are at an advanced stage in the Harbour, had to be postponed and will be Damage to the bank at Rathvindon and further development of Shannon-Erne Blueway. recommenced when water levels are suitable. undermining of the bank at Cloydagh will be Flooding: Remedial works are ongoing at Ballinasloe: Works on the automation of Pollboy repaired as soon as conditions allow. various locations as a result of the most recent Lock will also recommence when conditions Silting at the locks and heads and tails of islands flood event, access to some facilities such as permit. will be assessed and permission sought from service blocks maybe restricted until all works are Lough Allen Canal: Bank repairs are required Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks & completed. Wildlife Service to carry out remedial works Towpath: Upgrade works completed between and other defects resulting from winter flooding before the start of the navigation season. Longstones Drain and Aghoo Bridge to providing will be remedied. Barrow Line: The repair to the Camac an additional 1.7km of recreational trail along Lanesborough: The NRA have identified the Aqueduct is complete, a full litter pick is being the waterway. Improvement works ongoing need to repair scour damage to the bridge at carried out and overhanging vegetation is being between Lock 3 Skelan and Coologe Bridge to Lanesborough. The proposed works will impact on the navigation for a period. Disruption will be cleared away from banks and bridges. A number upgrade the existing walkway to an accredited of leaks were detected and repaired and there standard. kept to a minimum. are also works ongoing to some of the back- Navigation: Hedge and bush cutting operations Lanesborough: A scheme to enhance the old drains. quay area north of the bridge in Lanesborough ongoing at various locations to improve the safety characteristics of the navigation channel. has been completed and will contribute to the ERNE SySTEM Access Improvement: works are ongoing at enjoyment of the waterway users and the local The routine maintenance programme will Lock 15 Tirmactiernan to improve the access to community. continue including repairs to jetties, power the lock from the lower landing jetty. Capital infrastructure on the Blueways continues washing and maintaining the navigation marker to be developed. Having completed the system. Navigation Closures: Lock 8 Castlefore will be walkway/cycleway from Drumleague to closed to navigation between November 2015 Drumhauver on the Lough Allen Canal, it is Carry out flood damage repairs to infrastructure. and March 2016 to facilitate essential hoped to press ahead with the Blueway to Acres Complete installation of buoy moorings for maintenance works. Lake. Funding has yet to be secured. public use at various locations across Upper It is intended to complete the Blueway canoe Lough Erne. ShANNON NAVIGATION trails from Carrick-on-Shannon north to Lough The usual list of maintenance activities will be Installation of additional navigation markers carried out at amenity areas, towpaths, service Key Forest Park and Boyle and south to around Kilmore Quay, heavy weed growth areas blocks, weirs and sluices, the inspection and Lanesborough and shallow water sections in ULE operation of moving gates and bridges, general The exciting new Blueways concept is Carrybridge: Installation of new replacement maintenance of navigation markers, service progressing well attracting many new visitors to jetty. blocks, towpaths, structures and amenity the region. Funding for additional regional and facilities and the monitoring of water levels with local signage has been secured by Local GRAND CANAl the opening/closing of sluices as necessary. Authorities and should be in place before the 2016 season starts. Routine maintenance activities, such as, repairs to canal embankments, towpaths, locks, jetties, SHANNON LOCK & BRIDGE TIMES canal supply and overflow channels and structures, as well as the commencement of canal channel weed-harvesting LOCKS & BRIDGES lOWER BANN NAVIGATION The routine maintenance programme will Period Weekdays Sundays continue throughout the spring period. Mar 14 - Apr 3 09.00-18.30 10.30-16.00 Inspections and surveys along navigation to Apr 4 - Sept 25 09.00-20.30 09.00-18.00 identify and assess damage due to floods Sept 26 - Nov 1 09.00-19.30 10.00-16.00 Toome: Lock gate installation completed. Nov 2 - Mar 13 09.00-12.30 10.00-12.30 Toome: Lock currently closed due to essential Lunch break 13.00-14.00 maintenance works. Portna: New middle gates to be installed at PORTUMNA BRIDGE Portna lock during spring period. Portna: Fabrication of lower lock gates Portna underway. Period Weekdays Sundays Movanagher: Services (toilet and shower) to be Mar 14 - Apr 3 09.45 11.00 12.30 11.00 12.30 provided at campsite to facilitate waterway 14.30 16.30 17.30 14.30 16.00 users. April 4 - Sept 25 09.45, 11.00, 12.30 11.00, 12.30 Cutts: Services (toilet and shower) to be provided at campsite to facilitate waterway 15.00, 17.30, 19.30 15.00, 17.30 users. Sept 26 – Nov 1 09.45, 11.00, 12.30 11.00, 12.30 Movanagher: Fallen tree removal and bank side 15.00, 17.00, 18.30 14.30, 16.00 trimming will be completed in stretch upstream of Movanagher canal when flood levels subside. Nov 2 – Mar 13 09.45, 11.00, 12.30 11.00, 12.00 Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 5

IWAI AT WORK IWAI AT WORK HEAD OFFICE REPORT IWAI BOyNE IWAI POlICIES Members of IWAI Boyne made a Revised Articles of Association presentation to the Executive at are still a work in progress with the October meeting explaining advice to be sought from The their project to reopen a 1.5km Wheel. stretch of the 20km long canal linking Drogheda to Navan, with Work is complete on the revision Failté Ireland having approved a of the Officer’s Handbook and grant of €86K to support this Branch Rules and by the time work. The Executive you are reading this, they should congratulated IWAI Boyne and have been circulated to all assured them we are very branches for comment. supportive of the project and will The new Health and Safety help in any way we can. Statement has been agreed and signed off by Executive and the DuNROVIN task of organising health and There have been ongoing safety training for all branch meetings between the IWAI safety officers is being brought Dunrovin sub-committee and to Council as to the best method RNLI in relation to the of delivery, times, locations etc. development of a permanent lifeboat station on the site. WATER ABSTRACTION Boundary issues have now been A submission to Irish Water in agreed with Westmeath County relation to their proposal on Council and site investigation water abstraction from the River works are complete. A likely Shannon has been prepared. delivery date for the project is There has also been a proposal late 2017 - early 2018. that IWAI should form alliances with other interested groups MEMBERShIP with similar concerns, and this is As of 2 December 2015 the being investigated Association had 1616 Marks memberships; 1085 family, 492 hERITAGE BIll single, 6 corporate, 33 life By now you should all be aware members and 61 dual of the Heritage Bill before the MYsterY memberships. With membership Dail which includes many continuing to decline, all additional powers being branches need to look at ways authorised for Waterways Where was this photo taken ? to recruit new members at local Ireland. It would appear the plan Some waterproof goodies from Aquapac for the first correct level. is to have this signed into law identification drawn from the bag. before the government dissolves. This is also a good time to Again all branches were asked to Send entries to remind members that their submit comments which were Mark Maguire, 24 Clonkil, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, membership is due for renewal if then collated. A lot of work has or email [email protected] they have not already done so. been done to put our concerns before local representatives to The winner of Winter 2015 Mark’s Mystery was Kieran Kearns WEBSITE bring to the Dail. who correctly identified the location as New Ross Three tenders have been received from companies WORlD CANAl interested in working with IWAI CONfERENCE to develop a new website for The Association is in discussions the Association. The website with Waterways Ireland, Lagan needs to be updated to a fresh Canal Trust, and other interested new look with a responsive parties to submit a proposal to design that will display properly jointly host the World Canal no matter what device is being Conference, 2018. used to access it e.g. laptop, tablet or smartphone. Hopefully Kay Baxter by the time you are reading this, Hon. Secretary the successful company will have been chosen and work will have commenced on the www.aquapac.net development. 6 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

IWAI AT WORK ENDEAVOuR CuP 2000 Ruth Heard 2012 Pat Lysaght 2014 Greg Whelan, John Dolan & Alan Kelly In recognition of her work and For the support and assistance achievements in promoting the unfailingly and unselfishly For their work on the Canal Bye- conservation and development offered to boaters transiting the Laws of Ireland's inland waterways. Limerick Navigation 2015 Linda Garland and Tom 2001 Kilbeggan Grand Canal 2013 Reggie Redmond (RIP) Meegan Harbour Restoration Amenity Organisers of the Carrick Cares Co Ltd ‘A Champion of the Waterways and a Dedicated IWAI Supporter’ Day For restoration and renovation of the harbour and store at Endeavour Cup Kilbeggan and other works on Photo: Michael Savage the Kilbeggan line of the Grand Canal. 2016 NOMINATIONS Nominations are invited for the 2002 Lough Neagh Rescue recipient of the Endeavour Cup For all that they have done and for 2016 continue to do in making Lough Neagh a safer place for all. The cup is awarded to the individual, group or branch 2003 Ian Bath (whether part of IWAI or not) that has undertaken some For inspiring the restoration of so project or achieved a goal that is much of our waterways. worthy of recognition in respect 2004 B.J.Goggin of activities associated with the waterways. For his work as editor of Inland Waterways News The cup will be presented to the recipient at the AGM on Friday 2005 Carrick Cubs 22 April 2016. For their work in introducing a Please send nominations (by post new generation to the or email) indicating clearly who is waterways proposed to receive the award 2006 Sean Fitzsimons and the reasons for the proposal. For his long and loyal service to Any member can make a nomination. the association 2007 Boyne Restoration Send nominations to: Group - Dublin Branch (now IWAI Secretary, Kay Baxter, Boyne Navigation Branch) 24 Ashfield, Boyle, Co. Because of their continued Roscommon or to efforts and commitment to the [email protected] to arrive no restoration of the Boyne Canal later than Friday 15 April 2016 2008 Michael Slevin CuP hISTORy For his work on the IWAI Web- In 1999, Alf Delany, one of the Site…the single most important founder members of IWAI, promotional achievement of the presented a trophy to the IWAI on both a national and association to be awarded to a international level person or group for some 2009 River Bann & Lough noteworthy achievement on the Neagh Association inland waterways. The trophy is a beautiful silver cup originally For their work on the Ram’s presented in the 1930s for Island project motor-boat racing, but the club 2010 Brian Cassells to which it had belonged had been defunct for many years. For the work he has done and continues to do for the PREVIOuS WINNERS Association. 2011 John McKeown 1999 Eddie Slane (RIP) For all the work he and his team In recognition of his work and achievements in promoting the in Waterways Ireland have done over many years to restore the restoration of the Royal Canal. Royal Canal to Navigation Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 7

IWAI AT WORK COuNCIl & EXECuTIVE ElECTIONS The Executive of IWAI is made forward for election to the Directors: Martin Donnelly, Brian Executive and Council for the up of 11 members: President, Executive be notified to all Cassells and Kevin Clabby coming year. Nominations must Vice President, Immediate Past members of the association as (Current Directors) are offering be received by the Hon. President, Hon Secretary, Hon part of the package of themselves for re-election. Secretary no later than 20 March Treasurer, Membership Secretary information sent out prior to the Tommy McLoughlin is not going 2015. Nominations must be in and 5 others, all of whom are AGM. That will be done again forward for re-election as writing and be signed by the directors of IWAI. The executive this year. However, in the director. candidate, the proposer and is empowered by the Articles of interests of transparency it was Immediate Past President: seconder. E-Mail nominations are Association to co-opt additional decided that the names of those Carmel Meegan (current acceptable provided non-voting members to the who are already known to be President) has agreed to re-join corroborating e-mails are executive if required. willing to serve on the Executive the Executive for the coming received from the candidate, the should be published. proposer and seconder. Ten members of the executive: year. President, Vice President, Hon At the time of publication, the Elected Members of Council: Note that while some of the Secretary, Hon Treasurer, following members had already At the AGM each year, six incumbents have indicated their Membership Secretary and the 5 indicated their intention to stand members are elected to serve as intention to stand for re-election, other directors are elected to for election for the positions ordinary members of Council. In all positions (with the exception office by the Annual General indicated: accordance with a resolution of of the Immediate Past-President) Meeting. The Immediate Past President: John Dolan (Current Council, nominations for those fall vacant at the AGM and are President is automatically elected Vice-President) positions are to be invited prior open for nominations. to the executive in accordance to the AGM and the Nominees for membership of with the Articles of Association. Vice President: Alan Kelly nominations received notified to (Current Director) members with the AGM papers. Council and Executive positions While members frequently serve Hon. Secretary: Kay Baxter must be fully paid up members more than one term in office, (Current Hon Sec.) The current elected members: of the association in good they must put themselves Les Saunders, Mick Kinahan, standing. forward for election at the AGM Hon. Treasurer: No candidate at Sam Herraghty, Tommy Meegan, Send nominations to: each year (except the Immediate present. Jean Kennedy is not Siobhan Cluskey and Stephen Past President). going forward for re-election. Maher all offer themselves for re- Kay Baxter, Hon Secretary, Membership Secretary: No election. IWAI 24 Ashfield, Boyle For a number of years now it has candidate at present. Maria been the practice that the names Stuart is not going forward for Nominations are now invited for Co. Roscommon of members putting themselves members to serve on the E-Mail: [email protected] re-election. 8 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

IWAI AT WORK hERITAGE BIll 2016 In the final days of the 31st Dáil, canals in developing the the bill passed Stage 2 in the Canal Act 2017 by way of Seanad with a call for a Stage 3 pre-legislative consultation committee debate. As a result of and scrutiny. the significant opposition to changes to the Wildlife Act as This approach would be in line well as concerns expressed by with Government reform and IWAI through the members of best practice. the Seanad, the bill has not IWAI wishes to acknowledge the progressed any further. However, considerable feedback received this bill could be reintroduced at from members in branches any time during the new Dáil throughout the country which term. With this in mind IWAI is helped the association to adopt running a campaign requesting its position & develop its TD’s & Senators to pledge their campaign strategy to counter the support for an IWAI call for: introduction into law of the Heritage Bill 2016 in its present • Provision to be made for new canal bye-laws via a form. dedicated Canal Bill during Alan Kelly, John Dolan, Greg the 32nd Dáil when possible Whelan, rather than including any future legislation in a joint Canals Action Group. Bill such as the Heritage Bill The text of the Heritage Bill 2016 2016. can be found by going to • Recognition be given to the www.oireachtas.ie and searching canal users, canal for ‘Heritage Bill’ or just search communities and Local using Google – ed. Authorities adjoining the With no advance notice or carry out search and seizure consultation with the waterways activity on boats on the Grand WALLER &WICKHAM LTD canal communities the Heritage Canal, Royal Canal and River Bill 2016 was published on Barrow. In the Republic of January 6, 2016. IWAI advise Ireland, search and seizure acts that while it would welcome and are limited to a number of support proper regulations the specially trained and professional suppliers of proposed Bill does not put user groups such as the Gardai, requirements, local communities Health & Safety Inspectors and or tourism at the centre of the Customs Officers. The boats regulations. Rather it is a heavy affected by this new act include handed approach that will result residential barges, hire barges, Varnishes and paints for a superb finish! in lower boat traffic on the restaurant barges, cruisers and canals as boats will opt to move fishing boats. to the other Irish Waterways also managed by Waterways Ireland The powers proposed within the where the regulations are more new Act will affect those on the user friendly and where there are waterways of Carlow, Dublin, no oppressive fines and Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, penalties. Longford, Meath, Offaly and For Bonding, Coating, Filling and Fairing Westmeath. The boating The bill contains a number of community is not averse to amendments to various Wildlife appropriate management, facility Fisheries and other acts but of provision, and access to Marine Plywoods q Ex Stock q Top quality to BS1088 major interest to us is Section 2 waterways. But boats are key detailing amendments to the attractions, as the lifeblood of Canals Act 1986. The main the navigations, and need to be FOR DETAILS AND SUPPLIERS CONTACT thrust seems to be to provide a welcomed not subjected to framework for introducing new reduced services and heavy bye-laws on the canals. handed enforcement rules Waller & Wickham Ltd including stop and search The proposed Canals Act (2016) provisions by unknown Unit 96, Baldoyle industrial Estate, Dublin 13 gives Waterways Ireland, the waterways Ireland officers. Tel: (01) 83 92 330 Fax: (01) 83 92 362 authority to appoint ‘officers’ to Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 9

IWAI AT WORK WATER ABSTRACTION was published key economic driver for the The IWAI submission identified a in November midlands. number of key questions that 2015. needed a response as part of the • While IWAI recognised that wider consideration process. That report providing water to These are: outlined the conurbations along the route assessment to the Eastern Seaboard • Can the Shannon grow to process for the provided an opportunity to meet this need or is four options create a circular flow, the desalination the option that under levels of abstraction should really be considered? consideration proposed were still • Does Ireland need a body and concluded significant. With population charged with and responsible that abstraction growth this would only to the Oireachtas for and treatment increase over time quite safeguarding of what is now of water at the possibility to a point where a classed as a National Asset – Parteen Basin decision has to be made to the River Shannon and its reservoir on the restrict abstraction or risk Lakes? This body has to Lower Shannon causing ecological and control when and who, can in Co. environmental havoc. abstract water. This body Tipperary, • Abstraction from the needs to have the necessary together with a expertise of the systems treated water Shannon could not be unique hydrology and its compared with de-salination pipeline, was needs to support the unique emerging as the on a like for like basis ecosystems that support the because the Shannon is at option most Irish Water continues to pursue likely to provide the best source any given time a finite important flora and fauna of its plans to provide a new major of water supply for the region. resource whereas the oceans the Shannon Region. source of water for the Eastern Desalination was seen as being are infinite. • Who will conduct the worst and Midlands Region. They also viable but it would benefit a • The Parteen proposal case analysis of abstraction believe that population and much smaller area and is one levels? industrial growth will generate a and a half times as expensive as presents not just a risk to Lough Derg but to the entire demand of an extra 330 million the Parteen option. Following The submission concluded by litres of water per day by 2050. Shannon system. If the saying that ‘From the perspective publication of the Preliminary Parteen Basin has to be kept In June of last year they Options Appraisal Report Irish at a particular level the of the boating community who use the Shannon and its lakes, published an Options Working water entered a ten week period supply for this has to come supporting the many towns and Paper which identified 4 four of consultation. from the entire Shannon and villages along the Shannon and technically viable options for a In a paper submitted to Irish not just Lough Derg. the lakes, these proposals remain new source of supply as Water at the end of January, of deep concern.’ appropriate for further IWAI expressed its concerns • If this proposal succeeds Ireland will have three consideration. According to the Irish Water about the ‘Emerging Preferred competing bodies for These options are: Option’ (ie abstraction from different usage of the River website, the feedback on the consultation process will be Parteen Basin). In the submission Shannon’s Water: • Desalination (Irish Sea) IWAI made the following included as part of the final • Lough Derg (direct) observations: o Irish Water – to move phase of research and water from the Shannon assessment on the options which • Lough Derg (with storage) • The preferred option of to the East Coast will conclude in Spring 2016 abstraction from Parteen with the publication of the Final • Parteen Basin (direct) Basin provides for all year o ESB – loss of water for Options Appraisal Report. round abstraction. This electricity generation, is These were derived from a list of this a hidden cost of At that point a preferred option 10 possible options which were means that in good weather, abstraction? will be put forward for public subject to Strategic as water levels decrease on consultation before proceeding Environmental Assessments in the Shannon it will also have o Waterways Ireland – for to the remaining phases of the 2010. Public consultation in to meet the increased water maintenance of planning process in 2017, which June/July 2015 was focused on supply needs of Irish Water. Navigation levels with key will involve consulting on the the constraints and assessment This will see further requirement not to Scope of the Environmental criteria proposed by Irish Water decreases in water levels all endanger habitats. Impact Statement (EIS) and as their methodology for along the entire Shannon as • This proposal will ultimately submission of the planning assessing the options and the level is maintained in see a body have control of application to An Bord Pleanála locating infrastructure. Feedback Parteen basin to supply both water levels that has its for their independent from that consultation process, potable water and water for primary objective the supply adjudication. together with results from ‘on- electricity generation. of water to their paying the-ground’ investigations, as • IWAI re-iterated the customers and as can be An Bord Pleanála will undertake well as assessment of options importance of water levels to seen from the water needs all necessary statutory using the constraints and the fauna and flora of the document this is going to consultations including Oral assessment criteria were river and its lakes which increase significantly over the Hearings where all interested analysed and incorporated into makes them an attractive next number of years. parties will again be entitled to the findings of the Preliminary destination for national and have their say. Options Appraisal Report which international tourists and a Greg Whelan 10 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

BOOK REVIEW WATER WIND & WOOD I first met Reggie Goodbody in the 1980s boating circles and from casual conversations projects as well as building or restoring when we brought our first boat Lady G to I always suspected he had led a rich and several houses. His involvement with Shannon Yacht Fitters in Portumna for some varied life but was unaware of most of the Newtown School, Waterford, and the Lough hull work. Since then, our paths have detail. Derg Yacht Club, industrial heritage, crossed on many occasions in heritage and photography, his two sons and his dogs Reggie grew up in isolation produce many entertaining reminiscences. beside Lough Derg during the WWII before moving to The book is a very detailed account of 1 live on a boat for 2 /2 years. Reggie’s life and times and is peppered with Education required a move asides and remarks about people he to Dublin before encountered along the way. There are emigrating to England to photos and stories about boats and people work in the timber trade. that are no longer with us and also stories Returning to Dublin in from his time in the boat yard in Portumna. 1960 he worked in a A fascinating book full of little titbits about wooden box factory and life and times around our waterways and saw mills. In 1979 he set about people and events that I had heard of up his own boatyard with but never knew the detail of. his wife Hjordis in Portumna, building and Colin Becker repairing yachts and motor Water Wind & Wood, A Memoir, is cruisers. available from the IWAI on-line This memoir tells stories of bookshop priced €20.00 plus P&P 200p, old boats and entertaining Hardback. characters on the Shannon, restoring a steam boat, a Pucan, a wooden Dragon, and building a very fast barrel back launch. A lifetime sailing on the lakes, and at sea, making scale models and half hulls, violins, and restoring a water clock, to name a few MuIRChÚ (hElGA) over by the new Irish Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, followed by the Marine and Coast watching Service in 1939. In 1947 she was sold to Hammond Lane. On 8 May 1947 while on passage to Dublin she sank off the Saltee Islands but not before her entire crew got safely off the historic ship. The wheel was recovered from the wreck by local divers and can now be seen in Kehoes Pub in Kilmore Quay. In 1951 the Department of Agriculture presented a variety of items associated with The vessel was built in Liffey Dockyard in Hall. In total the Helga fired 40 rounds the Muirchú, including the name-plate, 1908 as a fishery research and protection during the Rising. pennants, model and ensign, to the National cruiser and was named Helga II. Museum. In April 1918 she was credited with the She was then under control of the sinking of a submarine off the Isle of Man More recently the Irish Naval Service has lent Department of Agriculture and Technical and for the remainder of her career she the Muirchú’s brass bell which is on display Instruction (Ireland) until she was taken over carried a star on her funnel as an award for in the Soldiers & Chief’s exhibition at the by the Admiralty in March 1915 at which this achievement. National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks. time the ‘II’ was dropped from her name. Eventually the Helga was handed over to the This year’s Dublin Rally burgee will feature an On 25 April 1916 the Helga sailed from Dun Irish Free State in August 1923 and was image of the Helga/Muirchú. Laoghaire to come up the Liffey to shell renamed Muirchú (Sea hound). She thus Ray Nolan Boland’s mill and on the following day fired became one of the first ships in the newly over the loop line railway bridge at Liberty established Irish Navy. She was then taken Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 11

OBITUARY PAT NEWMAN end of the canal, mainly from the hospitality of Pat and Lucy volunteers collected spot prizes Abbeyshrule westwards, where Newman, Michael & Margaret for the raffle, made sandwiches, courage and perseverance of a Blaney, Bernie Matthews, the sold tickets, and canvassed special quality was required to Hall family, and many more. The support. continue with the campaign conversation explored how we Keenagh-Foigha branch when the slow rate of progress could help with the restoration members arrived by bus and at the eastern end made one to best effect. Keenagh-Foigha along with the locals had a wonder if the restoration would had a FAS scheme running which whale of a night of singing & ever reach to the west of provided the labour force for dancing to Billy’s band – which Abbeyshrule. their bank clearing programme, became known as the Royal their main problem appeared to Pat was instrumental in be insufficient funds to cover the Canal Band which along with supporting and encouraging the cost of a foreman, and insurance Athlone IWAI continued to raise RCAG branches in Abbeyshrule, premium to provide cover for the funds to support the RCAG Ballymahon, Killashee, Cloondara scheme. The insurance premium branches restoration work in and Longford to keep the at the time was costing almost Ballynacargy, Abbeyshrule, pressure up on the restoration £1000 per year. We formed the Ballymahon, Keenagh / Foigha, which, apart from the Longford opinion that fundraising would and Cloondara for the next 12 Link, came to fruition with the be our most beneficial form of years. re-opening from Dublin to It was with great sadness that Cloondara in October 2010. I help. From that time to the present we heard of the death of Pat met Pat that day, he was a very Athlone IWAI presented a day we developed wonderful Newman, Keenagh, Co. proud and happy man. The only cheque for £500, and the FAS relationships with all of the great Longford, peacefully at his time I saw Pat with a broader workers in Keenagh presented people involved in the residence, on Sunday 27 smile was the day that the Boat £100 to Keenagh- Foigha Branch restoration campaign. Going to December 2015. We send our Rally arrived in Foigha harbour in RCAG at a function on 19 March Keenagh was always a great deepest sympathy to his loving 2009 and then later in 2010 at 1993 in Pat Newman’s pub in pleasure for us, if only for the wife Lucy, his son Paul and his Mosstown Harbour in Keenagh. Keenagh. welcome and hospitality we daughter Hilda, his sisters, received in Newman’s from Pat grandchildren, nieces, nephews, My first encounter with Pat arose Green & Silver was reprinted and and Lucy and their family, whose relatives and friends and also to from a meeting in the Jolly sold in aid of the Royal Canal kindness and generosity knew no all of the Royal Canal enthusiasts Mariner in Athlone on 6 March Amenity Group. bounds. in Keenagh and Foigha who 1992, after Eddie Slane, (RIP) We also needed to create a Pat now goes to join with his mourn their guiding light. who was the Chairman of RCAG social contact element to bring long-time friend and canal presented an illustrated history Pat was one of the prime movers of the restoration entitled The IWAI and RCAG people together, enthusiast Michael Blaney RIP, in the campaign to have the Royal Canal – A Remarkable and this happened following a and I’ve no doubt that the Royal Canal restored and re- Recovery. casual chat some time later over conversation will be about opened from the early days of a pint with Billy Henshaw, a life- bushes & weeds and lock gates the Royal Canal Amenity Group. Interest in the Royal Canal long waterways enthusiast with and canal banks; about the He was Chairman of the restoration was revived and in a keen interest in the Royal Island Bridge; and Cloonbreany Keenagh-Foigha Branch of RCAG October 1992 the Athlone IWAI Canal, spawned the idea of a Bridge and Cloonbreany Bog; in the early 1990’s at a time organised a work party to help musical fundraising event. Billy, a and the Tidy Towns, and will when interest in the restoration with the bank clearing between well-known entertainer, had vast continue late into the night. was waning due to the slow rate Mosstown harbour and the 41st experience in organising this May their gentle souls rest in of progress being made at the lock, near Keenagh. type of event for all sorts of peace. eastern end of the canal. Pat’s Following a hard day’s work and clubs, charities etc. That was it – concern & focus was particularly with throats as dry as the canal Billy organised a band, and Noel Damien Delaney the Keenagh-Foigha stretch of we retired to Pat Newman’s pub Duffy’s Lough Ree Inn was the canal, but he was also in Keenagh where we enjoyed booked for Saturday 8 May concerned for the whole western 1993, a host of willing 12 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

EINSTEIN REVISITED ThAT RElATIVITy ThINGy with a short detour by Aurora's skipper into the Boyle River, I found myself back aboard my barge, and very shortly thereafter was under way again. Perhaps it's down to the slower pace of boating, or maybe it's the camaraderie of folk with a shared interest, but I can't help but contrast the two incidents. Most of us have gone to the assistance of, or received assistance from, a fellow boater. But how often have we passed a fellow motorist in trouble at the roadside, or waited impatiently while a driver tried to push his car off the road in the rain, convincing ourselves of the urgency of our journey, or telling ourselves the car behind us will stop. I know I've done it. Phil’s boat & home. Funny how we see the world differently according to the speed we're travelling at....... myself last summer, albeit on a As it happened, the first group barge. of people I met on the jetty Must be that relativity thingy. offered to take me with them Entering the Boyle river en route aboard their cruiser, Aurora, on Phil Conaty to Lough Key the alternator belt their way to Leitrim Village. broke. Due to the extensive reed Following another enjoyable trip, beds it was impossible to approach the shore so I moored to one of the channel markers before the engine temp got too high. That's when I realised I had no spare belt!! Not fancying a swim I climbed Phil Conaty onto the roof and waited for about ten minutes until a cruiser Recently, whilst out for a spin approached coming one weekend, I came across a downstream. I held up the car parked on the roadside with broken belt and asked for the bonnet raised. The driver assistance. The cruiser came was standing beside it with alongside and when I explained thumb raised, but as I was on a my problem the crew offered to motorcycle giving him a lift take me to Carrick on Shannon, wasn't an option, and anyway as they were on their way back there was plenty of traffic. About home to Athlone. After a an hour later, on my return trip, pleasant trip, including a mug of the car was still there, with the tea and a sandwich, they driver still waiting patiently. So I dropped me off at the WI jetty stopped. Turned out the problem and I headed for the motor was an oil warning light, so, as I factors beside Aldi, on the keep a spare litre in the pannier, Dublin side of Carrick. he was soon on his way to a garage. While there, another customer, noticing I was still wearing my Now I'm sure you are wondering IWAI lifejacket (don't ask), what all this has to do with offered to give me a lift in his car boating or the waterways. Well, back to the Emerald Star Marina. the guy told me he had been Turned out he was also a boater, there for almost two hours based in Boyle. He also offered before I stopped, and not one to ring a mate to see if he might vehicle stopped. I found myself take me back to my barge if I comparing his experience with a had no luck at the Marina. similar situation in which I found Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 13

CSIG CSIG By LES SAUNDERS, CSIG PRO The CSIG has some data for the Surveying the Bann North Shannon including Lough Photo: Peter Maxwell Key, but would like a lot more data for this area. So, if anyone wants to help us out, please contact me, Les Saunders at Rescuing the horses [email protected] and we Photo: Pat McManus will get you started. All you need is a chartplotter (almost any CSIG ChARTS SAVE actually travel very quickly and Shannon lakes, Lough Derg and type) with a depth transducer ThE DAy safely to wherever the event Lough Ree. We still have loads of attached, and an old laptop. We was. The charts proved The once in a 100 year flooding invaluable and boats, animals areas yet in those lakes to survey can set you up with this kit to event has happened again after and people were all saved in and we do have teams in both record your tracklogs and then only 6 years, and brought with it record time. lakes continuously doing that. you send them to us for all the devastation for property, But the Shannon Erne Waterway processing. If you want to see a animals, homes, businesses, So, who would attempt to travel (SEW) and both the Upper and system working, any of the boats and people. But this time during this time you would Lower Lough Erne were very surveyors would be delighted to round at least we had the CSIG think, but some did and ended sparsely covered. I am delighted take you out and show you how charts to assist, and they up stuck on land or hedgerows. to say that for the last year the to do it. certainly did that. One of the The photo shows a boat nicely teams in the North have CSIG lead surveyors, namely Pat stuck in a field being rescued by addressed that and are very TEChI BIT, BRIAN McManus, is also both the the crew of the Club. It was actively surveying not only the WIllSON’S DATA coxswain and the PRO for the safely retrieved and returned to a SEW, Upper Lough Erne and lOGGER Athlone Subaqua Club, and he very grateful owner. There were Lower Lough Erne, but also the When the CSIG started tells me about the many many incidents of boats breaking River Bann and the Newry Ship surveying, all of the tracklogs incidents that the Club was loose and most of these were Canal, and have plans to cover were coming from Garmin 451s tasked with during the disaster. rescued and returned. the start of the Ulster canal from chartplotters which have a limit Some of these were funny, some where it enters Lough Neagh. of 9999 soundings. We sample had a brilliant result and However, one of the more For example they have proven a every second, so this meant each unfortunately some were too interesting rescues was on perfectly good navigable channel 451s had a limit of about 2.5 distressing to mention here. Pat Ballymacegan Island, near Esker from the River Bann is available hours surveying before the data tells me that in a lot of cases the Riada south of Meelick Lock. The into Lough Neagh, something no would start to be overwritten. Athlone Subaqua Club took on crew received a call to rescue a one thought existed. This makes Furthermore, there was no way rescues south of the weir and number of horses who were the River Bann a viable of telling if the data being lock in Athlone, whereas the trapped on the island, and they navigation out of Lough Neagh recorded was any good until a RNLI targeted mostly Lough Ree. despatched a RIB and a jet ski to for many miles. The photo shows mapper interrogated every single Whereas the markers in Lough the location. So, how do you Peter Maxwell, Robert Navan and sounding manually, a really Ree were either floating or rescue horses with a RIB. The Pat Shanks surveying this area in tedious job. You might ask why mostly above water level, those trick was to make them swim their RIB, and they do this during would a sounding be bad, well markers south of Athlone were across to the mainland, and to the winter months. Well done there could be many reasons mostly under water completely do this a rope was placed guys. including, sun spot activity, and navigation to stay in the downstream of the proposed height differences, weed, and official channel became almost crossing, a jet ski was posted deliberate GPS errors. Unlike in impossible. It was like travelling upstream and then divers your car, where a satnav will on a lake except most of the entered the water and herded jump to a road, this does not area was in fact fields. the horses across. The owner happen on a chartplotter and was delighted since these horses GPS is notorious for jumping Enter the CSIG charts. The represented his business. There is around. There was also the navigation channel is fully a video of this rescue on problem of which boat did the marked and has been surveyed YouTube, reference here, recording, where was the by a number of CSIG members, https://www.youtube.com/watch location of the GPS aerial in so the crews knew they had ?v=NsuPDOvjDvI relation to the sounder, what accurate charts and could I believe the efforts of the was the date of the recording Athlone SubAqua Club deserve a and what datum was being Boat aground huge thanks and the CSIG was used. Amongst many other Photo: Pat McManus refinements, it needed to be delighted to be able to assist in those efforts. easy to use, flag instantly for a bad string, eliminate the 9999 SuRVEyING ThE limit, identify the boat for later NORThERN WATERS processing and standardise the When the CSIG was formed Upper Bann Chart Extract tracklog. Brian has also about 4 years ago, the focus for Source: CSIG automated the output from the surveying were the 2 main Logger so further processing of 14 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

CSIG the data has removed huge SuMMARy amounts of manual interaction. So we head into another year For the techis, the Logger is with the CSIG growing in written in Visual Basic, and runs numbers of Beta Testers and under Microsoft Windows, hence Surveyors, new areas are being the need for a laptop. It cannot surveyed, better and better be stressed enough what a huge charts are being produced and step forward this Logger has used, and we are still having fun been to the CSIG. Many many doing it. If you would like to thanks Brian. become a tester or a surveyor, or indeed, if you have IT skills and I include below Brians own writeup to me about his Logger. would like to contribute to this The picture shows the main page great project, please contact me on the Logger. at [email protected]. BACKGROuND Finally, the CSIG is planning a When I first started surveying for Data Logger Screen Shot Image: date to meet in April 2016, the CSIG I was a little frustrated Brian Willson which will most probably be held with the inbuilt recording in Athlone, and is for the Beta facilities of the Garmin units we interested in record position and digital phones, there are Testers as well as the core CSIG were using to capture the survey depth. I also use various quality members of our team (including members. We would like to get data. It was all too easy to lose values so that the data can be me) that have older equipment feedback on the charts, obtain data or overwrite it as it had a validated as ‘good’. that does not record the position ideas for the future, acquire limit of 9999 data points per One of my first challenges was that the photograph was taken some more surveyors, and recording. Whilst this may seem synchronising the depth data at. Using the timestamp of the generally meet up to put faces to a lot, you are capturing one data with the position data. Whilst cameras image and the matching the group. I will be announcing point per second and this only the position data has a time timestamp from a file recorded this date to the Beta Testers and equates to a little over 2.5 hours stamp the depth data does not. with my app I am able to add CSIG groups shortly, but if you – at which point you needed to This required careful the GPS position to the exif data are not on this list please contact start a new recording or you programming to ensure I of a series of photographs and me and I will advise details. The start to lose data. they can then be viewed on a event will also be announced on recorded the correct depth at the map in relation to their original the IWAI Forum. As a data analyst I was also correct position. I later added location. interested in the captured data visual indicators to show That’s all for now, have a great and how it could be processed instantly if the data being Brian Willson start to the season and safe automatically. This exposed recorded was both complete and boating. another issue in that the data accurate. was not easy to extract from the As the data for any survey needs recorded file and was also to be corrected for both the missing useful information. vessel being used and the depth As NMEA data captured by GPS of water on the day I also devices is simply a series of text included the requirement to strings that can be de-coded to capture this information as well reveal the contents it occurred to – this makes the automated me that a simple application processing of the data possible could be used to get the more when I receive them from the detailed data directly from the other surveyors. GPS output of the unit. Another addition was the ability Unfortunately there was little to capture events. Some events available commercially that fitted were already captured the bill exactly so I set out to automatically but I introduced write an application so that it the ability to manually enter could be moulded to my own something as simply and quickly requirements. as possible. If, for example, you want to capture the position of a What started as a simple new or misplaced object you can application soon became much add a note to the recording more sophisticated as other which is automatically logged surveyors started to use the app with the time, position and and I became responsible for depth. It can also be used to processing all the data. I had to make recording data in your accommodate different GPS ships log easier by capturing the units and I also added distance covered along with time functionality to make the app spent both stationary and more user friendly. moving. Functionality There is also one facility that is The basic function is to capture not used for surveying depths – the NMEA data strings. There are the ability to geo-tag digital many different types of strings pictures. Whilst this is ‘old hat’ but the ones we are most for many modern cameras and Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 15

FLOOD RELIEF ENNISCORThy flOOD RElIEf SChEME by Brian Coulter Mr McHale (LMH) confirmed that the existing flow depth should not be reduced and the current low flow regime will have to be maintained to allow fish movement etc. Also, the river is tidal to the Old Bridge and tide levels won’t change. He confirmed that it is not intended to dredge the river below the Hotel, and that low flow depths are shallow downstream of the hotel. LMH confirmed the intention to relocate the existing slipway at the bottom of Mill Yard Lane to a location just downstream of the Riverside Park Hotel and this had been discussed with Slaney Search & Rescue. The location was viewed on site. IWAI noted the new slipway should take account of the following: • Angle – in direction of flow. • Surface finish to prevent slipping. • Proper gradient. • Adequate parking and turning circle. Slaney IWAI was consulted by Wexford • Construction of a new road bridge over County Council on the proposed flood the River Slaney and the Railway Line LMH noted he had discussed this with the scheme for Enniscorthy which is undergoing about 100m south of the Riverside Park harbour master, and that 3 to 4 meters detailed planning at the moment. The Hotel. clearance to bridge soffit at high spring tide branch appointed a subcommittee consisting would be sufficient. The site was viewed, of Brian Coulter, John Tully and Fred • Complete removal of Seamus Rafter and LMH noted clearance of 5m is required Crampton to deal with the matter. Bridge, and construction of a new over the railway line. IWAI considered this pedestrian bridge in the town centre. was adequate. The Project Resident Engineer, Mr Larry McHale told us that the proposed works will The photo montage from preliminary design IWAI plan for pontoon near Hotel: IWAI cover a 3.5km section of the River Slaney, study shows the river frontage before and confirmed this was at concept stage and extending from 1.5km upstream of after the scheme. River access and safety nothing specific in terms of details was Enniscorthy Bridge to 2km downstream. The issues will be further addressed in the available. LMH noted that OPW funding principle elements of the project will include: detailed design study. would allow for replacement of the existing Slaney IWAI was fully in support of flood slipway with a similar facility, funding for a • Construction of extensive flood defence pontoon would need to be sourced walls on both banks, upstream of relief for Enniscorthy, but was concerned elsewhere. The possibility of incorporating a Enniscorthy Bridge, through the town, about several issues. These include: pontoon with new slipway was discussed; finishing just south of the riverside Park • The effect of river widening on water IWAI requested that provision be made for Hotel. depth when boating from Enniscorthy this in the planning /design. LMH noted his from Edermine. • River channel widening and deepening support for the improvement of the river throughout, material deposition (north & • That removal or isolation of the slip at amenity as this would reflect positively on south end) and flow diversion channel the bottom of Mill Yard Lane would the project. Safety issues would have to be construction within the flood plain. prevent our launching there. considered; also as the river is a Special Area of Conservation both IFI and NPWS • Bridge underpinning works, bridge invert • Our tentative plans for a pontoon or agreement would be necessary. deepening and / or weir construction, landing stage for boats on the West and river bed stabilisation works at the Bank near Riverside Park Hotel might be Although it was not mentioned at the existing Railway Bridge & Enniscorthy adversely affected. meeting, Slaney IWAI considers that there is Bridge. a real possibility that deepening and grading the Slaney underneath the remaining road bridge and the railway bridge will enable our members to explore beyond Enniscorthy. However this will depend on the design of the silt and debris traps planned for an area 1.1km higher. If it were possible to travel as far as Scarawalsh Bridge it would extend the navigable section of the Slaney by a further 5-8km. 16 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

WATER SAFETY AWARDS NEW ROSS BOAT CluB DuO WIN WATER SAfETy AWARD by John Dimond and crews require. All the hours on the water help greatly in perfecting the skills which came into play in August 2013. The Irish Water Safety Chairman Breda Collins from Kilkenny in her address stated that this was the 70th year since its foundation and the Long Service Awards being presented to 84 volunteers represented a total of 1,535 years in teaching swimming, lifesaving, rescue and Water Safety awareness nationwide. The figures for 2014 showed 114 people drowned, nine fewer than 2013. An analysis revealed that 6 children aged 14 and under drowned, reflecting the importance of uninterrupted child supervision. Males were particularly at risk accounting for 79% of drownings (90). 24 females drowned, 55 were accidents, 33 Suicides, 25 undetermined and 1 homicide. She was grateful that Mr. Alan Kelly TD, Minister of Environment, Community & Local Government who presented the awards. The MC for the proceedings, John Leech, CEO of Irish Water Safety highlighted the number of rescues by the use of life rings Eric and John with their award and the need for them to be in place and A New Ross Boat Club duo had their speed Hogan saved many lives. (James Hogan not interfered with. Should any be and boatmanship recognised in the saved some 30 people in his lifetime from vandalised or missing it should be reported Printworks Conference Centre Dublin Castle the late 1800s to the mid 20thC –ed) so this vital lifesaving piece of equipment at the Irish Water Safety’s National Awards can be replaced. Ceremony on 17 November 2015. Eric Nolan Unfortunately most of the time the club has and John Dimond were presented with the provided a base for and worked with the SEIKO Just In Time award. Garda and Navy divers, Wexford and Kilkenny Civil Defence, Inland Fisheries Boat Club Members were returning from the Ireland, Hook and Kilkenny Sub Aqua Clubs Graiguemanagh Regatta after 7 pm on 5 and Fethard RNLI on search and recovery August 2013 and while replacing the rowing missions rather than actual rescue. The club equipment back into the boat house, the has always played down its role in this junior members spotted a man in difficulty in activity and has not highlighted it for the river, drifting down towards the town’s fundraising purposes, the members covering O’Hanrahan Bridge on the tide. Eric and costs themselves and providing refreshments John quickly launched the club safety RIB for those coming to the area to assist so it is and having approached the person in the great to be recognised for this rescue. water and persuading him to be helped on board, they picked the man out of the water The club puts a high emphasis on Water down river of the bridge. They calmed him Safety by holding officially recognised and returned him to the boat house. The training courses on a regular bases and Gardai had arrived at the club on their return welcomes non-members to upskill by taking and took charge. The safety boat was part in these courses. Thanks to PJ O’Shea recovered and the unloading of the rowing and Brendan O’Connor of Bunmahon equipment continued. Lifeboat who conduct the ISA Power Boat courses and to John Innes and John Griffin The incident went unnoticed until now when of Sail Aweigh Youghal who provide the the duo were nominated for the Irish Water instruction on the Marine VHF Radio courses. Safety Seiko Just in Time Awards. New Ross Boat Club has 4 safety boats A spokesperson for the club said that which are to be seen providing safety cover because of the members’ participation in for the growing number of crews which take water based activity and the club having the to the water each weekend and mid-week equipment, that over the years they were to during the summer months. The safety unit Tom Doyle Wexford CoCo Water Safety Development Officer was presented with a the fore in all search and recovery incidents comprises of 9 qualified members who are silver bar to his Service Medal of Honour for his in the area way back to 1890 when James on hand to skipper the boats as the coaches 40 years of service. Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 17

TOWPATH TIM fR PAT NOISE spread across the road and now the riverside could relax and watch it on television in the buildings have become very valuable and are warm comfort of your dry sitting room. not to be demolished, but retained and refurbished. So that’s the end of the public Eventually the scale of the downpour meant riverside walkway then. Money talks in this that everyone got hit in some way, and city. suddenly we were weary of it all. Aerial images of flooded Athlone and Limerick GEORGE’S DRy DOCK woke us to the reality of climate change, No change in Dublin’s George’s Dock, where with victims recounting to the press how they had been flooded previously, and the lock gate allowing boats to enter from the sea was previously sealed up for good as insurance companies refusing to pay out for what they simply see as an inevitable part of the IFSC development. Whilst the Scherzer Bridge at the entrance was outcome of establishing businesses and I am indebted to foreign visitors who asked refurbished, the dock has been filled in with homes on lands that will in future never be me about the plaque on the parapet on a floating pontoon that has become more free from flooding. Dublin’s O’Connell Bridge crossing over the permanent over the years, and it seems that County councils that had previously built River Liffey. The plaque reads: boats will never be seen in this dock again. permanent flood barriers, or rushed to build Shopping trollies and traffic cones yes, but temporary flood barriers, forced waters into THIS PLAQUE COMMEMORATES FR. PAT boats no. NOISE, ADVISOR TO PEADAR CLANCEY. HE other less protected areas either upstream or downstream of their area. It was every man DIED UNDER SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN HIS CARRIAGE PLUNGED INTO THE for himself, as the waters were pushed around the country in every direction but LIFFEY ON AUGUST 10TH 1919. ERECTED BY THE HSTI. toward the sea which was its ultimate destination. Europe rushed to clear Never having noticed it before, I had to themselves of blame, denying that the undertake research which revealed that habitats directive had ever prevented Ireland hoaxers installed the plaque in 2004, and from dredging the waterways. owned up in May 2006 after the plaque was Politicians rushed to don their wellies and brought to attention by a journalist. The plaque was set into the recess left in the raingear for photo opportunities, although it was noted that not too many donned a parapet by the removal of the control box for the ill-fated ‘Millennium Countdown’ lOVE CONQuERS All lifejacket, thus showing their complete lack of understanding of the waterways. Best of clock, which lived a short life in the Liffey as Crossing over Dublin’s Ha’penny Bridge, I see the ‘Time in the Slime’ in 1996. The name that the council have removed most of the all was the clamour for a national body to take charge of and create a masterplan for 'Father Pat Noise' is a word play on Pater Love Locks installed by couples on the Noster (Latin for ‘our father’). I am still trying railings. This very recent tradition involves Ireland’s Inland Waterways. Clearly most people did not realise that Waterways Ireland to find out who the donors HSTI are, and to engraving the name of the loving couple on see if they would be willing to install more the lock, securing it to the railing indicating has actually been in business since 1999. plaques to increase tourist interest along our their tie, and tossing the key to the depths Shining light in the chaos was the work of waterways. of the river below to seal their bond. the volunteers of Civil Defence, who Unfortunately the Pont des Arts Bridge in appeared with an array of mechanical DuBlINS lIffEy CAMPShIRES Paris suffered under the weight of its pumping and transport gear we didn’t even padlocks, resulting in a part collapse in know existed in the country, and the training 2014, and Dublin City Council obviously to use it all. Calmly without any fuss, they wanted to prevent a similar fate for the evacuated people and sandbagged and Ha’penny Bridge. Love can conquer all pumped for days after the initial panic had however, and the locks have now started to receded, whilst the rest of us leapt to the reappear in quantities. Which could mean airwaves and internet to vent our anger. that there is now a considerable mound of metal keys on the bed of the River Liffey By the time you read this, it will all be over, underneath. Perhaps the IWAI-CSIG group with water levels receded – until next year. would come and chart the depths there to So it’s a good time to step back and see how give a more accurate picture, before the you can protect yourself or your neighbours Dublin Rally fleet discover shallow depths at against the inevitable floods of next year. this location. With climate change now really taking hold, Dublin development continues apace with there is nothing more certain than there will the U2 effect having finally conquered NOAh RETuRNS be floods – and they will eventually exceed Windmill Lane, where their studios and all The forty days and forty nights of rainfall even this year’s levels in height. surrounding buildings have now been seemed to be coming true as 2015 closed demolished to make way for valuable new and 2016 opened its wet doors. Newspapers flOODING CASuAlTIES office and residential developments. The and television and internet vied to get the A stroll along the riverside in your wellington adjacent walkway alongside the River Liffey, most shocking images of the flooding to us, boots was all you needed, to see the extent referred to as the Liffey Campshires, has with horses stranded on islands and homes of the damage to inland waterways boats. never been completed whilst the old flooded and kids making their way to school Strained bowlines chafed through to release warehouse buildings blocked the path and in tractors. It was all very exciting – if you their craft to the pressures of the fast awaited demolition. The U2 effect has flowing water, and lines without enough 18 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

TOWPATH TIM Graiguenamanagh featured in the press when the Duiske river once again overflowed, an event which is now a regular feature of the town. There was much moaning that flood walls along the western side of the Barrow River had been opposed by one local contingent, leading to the inevitable recurrence of the flooding on that side of the river. WATER MANAGEMENT slack dragged their boats under as the water levels rose. It will be time before all stricken It was interesting to tour the canal sections a lot of mud to remove, and the condition of boats are removed from the waterway, and of the River Barrow during the flooding the steel (if there is any remaining) under the there are some that their owners may never emergency, and see where the sluice paddles mud is unknown. Check first if this zone is a want to return to. on the lock gates remained closed even with Special Area of Conservation, as you may so much flooding. At the flooded lock gate Boat owners need to understand their in Graiguenamanagh where sand bags need permission from the Environmental responsibility to remove their craft from the fought to restrain the flood waters, the Protection Agency and the Department of the Environment even to explore there. waterway if it presents a danger to others, sealed up sluice above the lock gate had or if an engine oil or diesel fuel spill will clearly not been opened for many years. One fENNISCOuRT WI BASE damage the environment. Insurance policies can only guess that the reason they went to REMAINS typically covers the cost of removal of a so much trouble to construct the sluice many The scenic viewing spot at Fenniscourt stricken vessel from the waterway, or the years ago was to prevent the very flooding remains obstructed by the Waterways Ireland cost of mitigating any environmental Graiguenamanagh is now suffering. depot, which readers will recall was damage. If you don’t have sufficient constructed (along with the Lowtown WI insurance, you could be in for a trip to court depot, whose waterside palisade fencing is and a bill that exceeds the value of your boat. Check your policy and see what’s covered, to make sure you are up to date. flOODED TOWNS Along the River Barrow, towns did not seem to suffer as much flooding as those close to the Shannon. This was probably due to a proactive dredging scheme enacted over recent years by Waterways Ireland along the River Barrow. Similarly, the recent dredging of the Grand Canal must have averted flooding there. With EU denying they had I recall many years ago when lock keepers of similar architectural merit) to replace the prohibited dredging of rivers, the way is now lived at each lock, and they would tell you Tullamore WI depot. The unsightly fencing open for more proactive works to ensure how to set the paddles after you passed installed on a waterside makes you wonder there is enough depth in our waterways to through the lock, to maintain the correct how council planning officers assess handle floors. And this increased depth will water level. Their job was to monitor and planning applications effects on the also make the waterways more navigable for control water levels for the inland areas by waterways. deeper vessels. draining off the canal sections long in advance of any downpour, a task that could NEW yEAR PlANS take several weeks. It is worth remembering It’s never too early to make plans, and the that the canal systems were constructed not sunny summer will be upon us soon enough. just for transport, but also for flood relief Get yourself armed with a new set of charts and also to carry fresh drinking water into (the new versions will certainly show more Dublin (Basin Street, in Dublin 8). It is than the old set you have been using for interesting to hear talk of the construction of years!) and look to those corners of the a new pipeline, when the original water waterways you have never visited. conduit is still in place right into the heart of the city, thanks to the hard work of IWAI Visit IWAI shop online and treat yourself to Bagnelstown avoided most of the flooding, campaigners to maintain the Grand Canal. I some new books and guides, which you can although the recently dredged stretch below suppose it is inevitable that once the lock peruse in front of a warm fire during the the lock suffered when the bank on both keepers were dispensed with, then there winter season. This is the year for it, get sides of the cutting was entirely submerged. would be no water management and there afloat early and start making your way to It seems that the recently rebuilt cutting was will increasingly be floods. And a shortage of undiscovered waterways. You can plan simply not high enough. drinking water in Dublin. around the rally dates for each area, so that there are local boats and gatherings to join Leighlinbridge had its usual fast flowing in with. stream, although the main road into the lOOKING fOR A BARGE TO town has traditionally flooded and will RECOVER Follow the advice of Mark Twain: ‘Twenty continue to do so as it is too low lying. The Take a trip along St Mullins at the bottom of years from now you will be more Lord Bagnal Hotel has constructed flood the River Barrow (bring your wellies) and see disappointed by the things that you didn’t walls which seem to have done the job well, if there’s anything worth recovering at the do than by the ones you did do. So throw and Waterways Ireland have flood gates old jetty there. The protruding steel bow is off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe closed at all towpath entries which the clue. There is plenty of water there at harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. prevented much damage. high tide (yes, this area is tidal) if you want Explore. Dream. Discover.’ to get some lifting kit in by boat. But there is Photos: Towpath Tim Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 19

TRAVELS WITH HAWTHORN TENDER few hours. That we now had a hull that would float was nearly a heaven sent for, with the lake rapidly rising and our workspace beginning to flood, I was TIME Giles delighted and relieved when the Chatterton’s upgraded me to the big shed on higher ground. Not that we needed to float, for the Byford hull was still so light two of us were easily able to carry it across the yard. It’s mid November, and I’m pacing round a over. And then I dropped the roll of If I’d been building the planned boat all I pile of plywood cursing. Minutes before the fibreglass I was about to use to hold it all would have now had to do would be glass skiff I’d started building a few days earlier properly together… the seats in, cut and finish the hatches, and was looking like a boat, and then I’d slipped install the casting deck before getting on and dropped the heavy roll of fibreglass with fairing and finishing the hull. I’m cloth on top of the upturned shell. There’d guessing that even with my two time been a loud bang as the shock proved too consuming setbacks the whole project would much for several of the lightly glued joints have taken about 80 hours whereas, now that were holding the stressed panels being in the unplanned phase of building, together. Seeing them lying on the floor I’d instead I drank copious cups of coffee and had to wonder that Blair Chatterton might spent days scratching my head while trying have been right when, thinking of his home to figure how to complete the boat I fire, he’d laughingly suggested ‘there’s a lot wanted. And here, with frequent of heat in your new boat!’ Ah well, putting knowledgeable visitors and skilled boatyard it back together, this time with some staff often offering guidance and advice, I fibreglass cloth tabs to strengthen the glued discovered how being in a busy working joints wasn’t the end of the world. And, as I boatyard rather than a lonely shed or garage always knew would happen, I was learning. Relieved to duly find the second attempt was a major bonus. rather stronger than the first, a friend’s offer of help was welcomed and the two of us spent a day glassing the outside of the hull. Working ‘wet on wet’ with the heater blasting away, we put three layers of 6” wide tape over each seam and, after a brief pause to wipe the sweat from our brows, then glassed over everything with heavy (450gm) biaxial cloth and plenty of epoxy resin. Returning the following day we turned the boat over, and then stood back in shock at how much bigger it looked than expected. 14’ foot had seemed such a small increase from our 11’ dinghy, but then I Once set up in the smaller of the two hadn’t really taken in the amount of internal Portaneena sheds, I’d had no problems space lost by having all that inflated rubber. I putting together the strong-back – a doubt the skiff’s generous size will be an temporary softwood frame – and trestles it issue once I’ve been caught on a choppy rested on, or cutting out and fixing the seats lough a few times, but it might be when we and stringers used to form the plywood hull. have to go up the smaller locks between The bottom panels were then placed over Leitrim and the SEW’s summit. Taping and these and, making small holes in each panel glassing the inside of the boat took only a One problem much discussed was the every 12” or so and using cable ties to join danger of compromising one of the several the sides and bottom together, the hull was elements – runabout, surveying and fishing - slowly pulled together. Or that was meant to I hope to use the skiff for. Of these the be the idea: when I reached the bow there biggest issue was where to fix the large was a rather large hole where panels were transducers needed for scanning: the easy meant to meet. Not wanting a big hole in option was on the transom, but here they the boat’s structure, and having measured were likely to be damaged when the boat everything very carefully, that caused a bit of swings about in locks or on moorings, and cursing and head scratching. I then checked the transom’s narrowness means the the metric plans I was using against the outboard would likely interfere with the imperial plans the boat had been originally portside search section; whereas under the designed with, and discovered some hull they’d be vulnerable and impossible to elements had been lost in translation. More get out. The answer was a sea-chest, though plywood was ordered, the nonsense this meant cutting a box out of the floor, European measurements were discarded, and then glassing in what looks a bit like a and the second, imperial marked, panels weed-hatch (it comes well above the fixed the issue. The joints were then glued waterline!) and installing a clamped and and rounded over. Using a borrowed space sealed lid. The joy of this is that the heater to get the temperature high enough transducers can be accessed in seconds, and for the paste to set, the panels were then the plate they’re mounted on can be glued together with thickened epoxy, the changed for a blank one that sits flush and cable ties removed, and the joints rounded fair with the bottom when the boat’s not 20 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

TRAVELS WITH HAWTHORN having heard several tales of March. Which doesn’t give us a much time boats being badly damaged to get a lot done. Frustratingly there are by over-foaming sealed elements that have to wait as there’s no spaces, we made a point of point in sealing lockers before they’re always leaving at least one painted internally, and the hardwood we’ve hole unplugged and being been gifted to use for the forepeak cover, gentle. With 18 chambers to seats, and general trimming, cannot be fill, many with several pours installed until all the paint has gone on. At each, this meant we took least we’re now (at the end of January) two days doing a job we starting to finish the inside of the hull, and thought would take two most of the remaining woodwork is hours. The good news, machined and ready to install. We’ll get particularly so given I there but at what cost I now hate to think as anticipate being on the rocks my initial overly optimistic budget of €2000 regularly when surveying, is seems increasingly ridiculous. that the foam sets hard enough to add to the boat’s What I am truly unable to calculate is the structural integrity, and generosity of so many friends on the river. we’ve enough of it to float a I’ve been given lots of time and advice; leant much larger vessel than a tools, vehicles, a dinghy; driven for materials, 14’ skiff; the bad news was and told to help myself to the hardwood the heat and pressure stored under a friend’s M boat floor. I thank deformed the pipes installed you all. And I’d particularly like to thank the to run cables through. Still, Chattertons as Portaneena has been a joy to as I frequently had to remind spend the winter working in. Indeed with myself while I sorted that our little skiff seemingly the first boat to out, this was/is a learning have been built entirely in their yard it seems process. only right that, while we haven’t yet settled on a name, we’ve given it the class One of the reasons for ‘Portaneena One’. choosing the 14’ skiff option being surveyed from hopefully saving was its rating for no larger engine than Photos: Giles Byford expensive kit from being destroyed when not 15hp, and we had a low hours four stroke in use. It’s a bold move I might not have Suzuki this size on the dinghy. It’s a basic made without encouragement! engine, which suited when I was using the It’s amazing how many of these visitors have inflatable as they’re built Mirror dinghies. From these, well at only ever comfortable least from those that haven’t developed for short periods. ‘Epoxy Allergy’ and were able to stay more Now looking at much than a few seconds (I kid you not), I’ve learnt longer sessions I that standing water and damp are the realised the 15amp destroyers of composite built boats. Hearing lithium battery that this I was very determined to install angled, had been adequate self draining, soles (floors) so all water runs would be too small. to the float switched bilge pump in a sump Fortunately the Suzuki against the transom. The only exception is can be easily modified the large stern seat that will have small to put out an scuppers where the transom meets the side. adequate charge Of course the issue with installing soles is current of about 6 water and general damp in the sealed spaces amps so a 35 amp under them, so it was decided to fill all voids battery was added. It with buoyancy foam. If only this was as then occurred to me easily done as it is written! Jeez that was a that it might be nightmare: the foam comes as two separate possible to change liquids that, the moment they’re introduced the pull start for a to each other and given a vigorous stir, get remote electric all hot and agitated and begin to expand to option, which is not many times their liquid volume. something I really need but an addition Jill came out to help that day, and what fun that would make Jill’s, we had: several inch diameter holes were and others, using the drilled in the top of each chamber, and then boat much more the mix was made and promptly poured into likely. That’s a process one of them. The problem was not knowing that still waits the volume needed so, with sections of finalising. broom-handle ready to use as plugs, I’d stare at the holes waiting for the foam to start There remains much squeezing out. Sometimes nothing to do and, water happened; sometimes all hell broke loose levels permitting, a with mini Vesuvius’ squirting forth from need to be away from several places at once. The foam gets really our winter moorings hot and generates a lot of pressure so, in Athlone in early Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 21

HOLY ISLAND hOly ISlAND where they were excavating at that time while I took about eight or ten photographs. After an hour or so we made our way back to the dinghy and returned to Mountshannon. I am not at all superstitious, in We continued our cruise around the lake fact I have not got a visiting little harbours here and there while I superstitious bone in my body, finished the reel of film and took another so I suppose I did something two reels of film to finish recording our stupid, but cannot think what it holiday. could have been. My son had On returning to Dublin, I sent the three reels taken my wife and myself in for processing. Imagine my surprise when cruising around Lough Derg I saw that all the pictures had turned out and we had tied up for the perfectly except the eight or ten pictures I night at Mountshannon. I had took on Holy Island. Those negatives were been looking at the chart and completely blank. noticed that we were quite near to Holy Island so I asked Now don’t tell me that I had left the lens- Holy Island him if there was any chance of cover on the camera because I don’t have Photo: Noel Griffin landing there. He said ‘Not one and anyway my camera is a single-lens from the cruiser but we could reflex so I would not have been able to see We were clearing out some files go in the dinghy, but you know, the locals anything through the viewfinder if there had belonging to my late father a few years never go there except for funerals.’ been a cover in place. back and came across this story he had written about a trip on the Shannon So the following morning we climbed into There was not a trace of an exposure on any sometime in the 1980s. We think he may the dinghy and set off for Holy Island about of the negatives taken on Holy Island, they have submitted the piece to the Sunday a mile away. I had brought my camera with were completely blank, while the pictures Miscellany program on RTE Radio 1, but me in the hope of getting a few pictures and before and after them came out perfectly. we don’t know if it was ever broadcast. I had checked that there was film in it, in As I said in the beginning, I am not What we do know is that Dad was a fact only two or three pictures had been superstitious, but what happened the very skilled photographer. He was one taken on a spool of twenty-four. pictures I took on Holy Island? of the early adopters of single-lens When we arrived on the island we wandered reflex technology, a Zeiss-Ikon Contaflex around looking at the ruins and the site Vincent Becker II camera which the family still has. - ed IWAI contacts BRANCH CONTACTS FOIGHA-KEENAGH: Gerry O’Hara Tel: +353 (0)86 605 5322 Note: General branch e-mail are received by all e-mail e-mail: [email protected] literate officers and other nominees of that branch. who’s who in the association ATHLONE: Birgitte Benson KILDARE: Alan Kelly Tel: +353 (0)86 832 6275 Tel: +353 (0)87 6606714 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] The website includes a contact form www.iwai.ie BARROW: John Dimond LAGAN: Terry Needham Central phone numbers PUBLIC RELATIONS: Tel: +353 (0)87 212 1161 Tel +44(0)28 9187 2138 ROI: Lo-call 1890 924 991 Martin Donnelly e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] NI: 028 38325329 Tel: +353 (0)86 254 7827 Int: +353 (0)91 589333 e-mail: [email protected] BELTURBET: Lorraine McGettingan LOUGH DERG: Carmel Byrne Tel: +44 (0)75 1875 9217 Tel: +353 (0)86 813 0530 HON SECRETARY: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Kay Baxter Brian Cassells 24 Ashfield, Boyle, Co. Roscommon Tel: +44 (0)28 3832 5329 BOYLE RIVER: Assumpta Doherty LOUGH ERNE: Frank Woods Tel: +353 (0)87 982 5520 e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +353 (0)87 799 5019 Tel: +44 (0)7766 026306 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Kevin Clabby PRESIDENT: Tel: +353 (0) 86 258 8334 BOYNE NAVIGATION: Carmel Meegan e-mail: [email protected] Seamus Costello NORTH BARROW: Kathleen Cross Tel: +353(0)87 994 5764 Tel: +353 (0)86 897 9632 Tel: +353 (0)86 860 8890 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Alan Kelly Tel: +353 (0)86 832 6275 CARRICK-ON-SHANNON: NEWRY: Tom Johnston VICE-PRESIDENT: e-mail: [email protected] John Dolan Patricia Byron Tel: +44 (0)77 4227 7775 Tel: +353 (0)86 215 4585 e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +353 (0)87 799 6356 Tommy McLoughlin e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +353 (0)87 277 1591 OFFALY: Alan Hughes PAST PRESIDENT: e-mail: [email protected] COALISLAND CANAL: Tel: +353 (0)87 683 3600 e-mail: [email protected] Greg Whelan James Walsh Tel +44 (0)771 164 9717 Tel: +353 (0)87 799 6356 WEBMASTER e-mail: [email protected] POWERBOAT: Paul Garland e-mail: [email protected] Colman Byrne Tel: +353 (0)86 821 7712 Tel: +353 (0)87 242 6960 e-mail: [email protected] HON TREASURER: e-mail: [email protected] CORRIB: Zara Brady Jean Kennedy Tel: + 353 (0)87 237 1719 RBLNA: Alastair Uprichard IWN Editor: e-mail: [email protected] Tel:+353 (0)87 207 8102 (after 6.00pm) Tel: +44 (0)28 3833 5570 e-mail: [email protected] Colin Becker e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +353 (0)91 589 333 CRUISING CLUB: Mary Healy MEMBERSHIP REGISTRAR: e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +353 (0)87 2871644 SHANNON HARBOUR: Maria Stuart e-mail: [email protected] Damien Buckley 75 Hampton Court Tel: +353 (0)87 805 7410 Clontarf DUBLIN: Declan Enright e-mail: [email protected] Dublin 3 Tel: +353 (0)87 676 1379 SLANEY: Catherine Malone Tel: +353 (0)83 421 5506 e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +353 (0)87 220 2930 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] 22 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

GOING WITH THE FLOW a few days, you could pile your garden is as wet as I’ve seen it gear on the wall and hop over it yet. We only have to hope the back and forth to the car. Now Shannon stays within its banks we’ll all have to walk around and this time. take out a set of steps if we Down at Mountshannon want to sit on it. Harbour (no, TripAdvisor, it’s not Mountshannon Marina!) we NOT STIll ON ABOuT couldn’t get to Winter Solstice flOODS? for weeks. The water came up to It was when the ladder came out 2009 levels, started to go down, I could see we were in trouble. then came up again. The winds YerMan’s boat lives against the were ferocious and the waves council harbour wall in looked like they were rolling in Mountshannon, he spends a lot from the sea. The pathways had of time on board, but this time become beaches, complete with he couldn’t get off without that ripple effect you get on getting his feet wet. A friend sand at the seaside. had arrived with a ladder, and he was halfway down it. I didn’t There was damage too, though think I’d still be thinking about nothing like that on the coast. the Shannon in flood now it’s The sculpture on the end of the February, never mind writing small pier beside the swimming about it, but the rain keeps on area is no longer. I can’t even Portumna Harbour new walls remember now which storm it falling. As I’m writing this, Storm Imogen is swirling her skirts was that knocked it, and portumna.net, the Portumna around County Clare. The whether it was the wind or the WhAT’S IN A WORD? community and tourism website. water that did the final topple is The tourism people often have a And so does the website different way of looking at the MotorhomeCraic.com, whose world to the people who members are getting very excited regularly use the places they are about the new developments at promoting. For example, they the HARBOUR. seem to dislike the word harbour. I first realised this when Fáilte Ireland has allocated Killary Harbour was renamed as €420,000 to tizzing up the Killary Fjord. I loved the name harbour facilities under the Lough Derg Stimulus Killary Harbour with its connotations of a working place, Programme. The jetties are to be extended and given a timber of solidity and history. OK, so Killary Fjord sounds exotic, and cladding cover-up, much as has been done in Scarriff Harbour. fjord may be the proper geological description of a Electricity should entice boaters over from Terryglass (though the narrow inlet created by glaciation, but fjord is a lack of rubbish collection The sculpture as it was… facilities won’t). The lighting will loanword, a Norwegian term that just doesn’t sound right for be prettified and made more subtle, and shower and toilet the west of Ireland. The word fjord has long been adopted by facilities will be upgraded. And the Motorhome Craic people? other languages, but changed to fit – in Scotland firth is the term There are to be special bays for camper vans, much as you’ll find for these long narrow inlets from the sea. But what’s wrong with in many towns on the Continent. I wonder if there will be enough. harbour? Over the last few years there Portumna Castle Harbour is have often been more vans than another one. Look anywhere boats. other than boating places, and The one thing I don’t understand you won’t find any mention of a harbour. No, it’s Portumna about the revamp is why they’re raising the height of the wall Marina: walk or cycle around the Forest Park and you’ll come around the harbour. I loved that wall. It was the ideal height for across wooden signposts pointing the way to Portumna sitting on, chatting to your neighbour, setting out plates Marina. Jimmy McClearn of And there it wasn’t! Galway County Council calls it when you have a barbecue, and if you were leaving the boat for Portumna Marina. So does Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 23

GOING WITH THE FLOW have to do the same in reverse. And at least we know she’ll be dry inside when we finally do get out on her. INISCEAlTRA Mountshannon is a quiet place, but I wonder if all that is about to change. As many of you will know, Iniscealtra (Holy Island) on Lough Derg has now been taken into public ownership. Two acres containing the monastic site were already owned by the Office of Public Works, but now Clare County Council have bought the remaining forty-one acres. Clare County Council plan to bring in professional experts to come up with a Visitor Management and Tourism Holy Island Development Plan. The buzz Photo: Noel Griffin words are tourism product and key stakeholders as well as cultural heritage and natural assets. Waterways Ireland are in anyone’s guess. Now there’s just the boat and get out on the lake occasional beautiful days we’ve crumpled tarmac and an empty again. had, but this is the disadvantage on it too. I only hope they don’t plinth. of winter covers. Great for the ruin the astonishing tranquillity Having the boat a five-minute boat, great for reducing of the island. I suppose this weather will end drive away has been fantastic maintenance, but no way are we eventually, though these days this winter – we’ve been able to going to fumble around with Text & Photos: Nicki Griffin you can never be sure. keep a daily check on her during cold fingers taking off the skirts (except as noted) Presumably there will come a day apocalypse. I’d love to have gone that cover the decks, only to when we can take the covers off out on Lough Derg on those very 24 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

RIVER BANN & lOuGh NEAGh FROM ALISTAIR UPRICHARD Santa & Co. at Rams Island Can I take him home? PORTADOWN SlIPWAy feasibility of dredging operations around the jetty to prevent heard at disembarkation it was a In the last issue, serious at the river mouths. flooding, and we had an extra great start to Christmas! shortcomings of the £400k ferry on duty to cope with extra Of course an event like this slipway and jetty project at AGM numbers. However, we couldn’t doesn’t just happen! As I said Portadown on the Upper Bann We welcome Maree Cassells ‘on cope with stormy weather which last year, I have never been were detailed. Although the ABC board’ the Commitee as Public meant cancellation of sailings on involved with a group of Council officials maintained that Relations Officer. She replaces Saturday 5 Dec. Most didn’t volunteers who worked so well the slipway was fit for purpose Eileen McCullough who in her 5 complain and opted to go on together during the setting up, they have decided to carry out years in the post did a great job extra sailings the following day. running the event itself and £14k of ‘alterations’!!! As far as in promoting the Branch through The island was beautifully dismantling afterwards. From the we are aware there was no organising a variety of Boat illuminated and the itinerary youngest elf to the ‘man himself’ consultation with local Rallies, most notably the Lough included: everyone played their part in fishermen, boaters or indeed Neagh Rally. Indeed, so • A stop at the barge to warm making Santa’s Magical Island an RBLNA before proceeding with successful has this become that up with hot drinks. unforgettable experience! the project. Local Councils do the local Ardboe Community work in mysterious ways! Group have taken over and • A present from Santa in his A meeting of all those involved is RBLNA can take a well deserved new grotto complete with his scheduled early in the New Year DREDGING ‘back seat’! Maree brings a elf assistants. to discuss plans for an even But it’s not all bad news on the lifetime of experience of working • A look at Rudolf in his stable. better 2016 event. Watch this Council front! Just before in the public sector to the post space! Christmas reps from the and I am hoping that writing up • The popular quad train ride Newry/Portadown and RBLNA these notes can be included in to the old ruin to meet all BOAT RECOVERy were invited to a meeting with her job description! All other sorts of friendly creatures. Over the years the Ram’s Island Council Officials to discuss (and posts are unchanged. ‘gang’ have been involved in advise?) plans to develop • Back to enjoy a mallow- several boat recoveries. The Maghery Country Park and SANTA’S MAGICAl toasting session and food latest was a cruiser which had improve access to the Blackwater ISlAND from the barbecue. succumbed to the heavy rain and and Upper Bann. It was a Last year floods, this year • And finally a look around the sank at its berth in Sandy Bay friendly and constructive storms! Next year snow, snowman ‘village’ before Marina. After dragging it to the encounter and another meeting perhaps? The event was boarding the ferry home. concrete part of the jetty the will be arranged when the scheduled for 5,6,11, 12 & 13 forklift was used to raise it Council has assessed the Dec. We had built up the area The complete experience took sufficiently so that it could be one and a half hours and pumped out. judging by the excited faces I saw and the reminiscences I Photos: Michael Savage Rescue of a cruiser Jetty awash Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 25

lOuGh ERNE nEws FROM MERVYN ROLLS Xmas walk assembling on the site of old Stranmillis Lock John Weir presents outgoing Chairman Ken Bell (r) with Pooka. 50 people turned out on what river level, so major works are was a dry, mild and windy day. necessary for a conversion at a cost of several millions of Xmas walk at Stranmillis Gateway We all met in the car park of the pounds. Cutters Wharf, a popular and work on the committee: hostelry on Lockview Road, It has to be stated that Belfast is STIll fuNCTIONING Chairman Ken and Jane Bell; Stranmillis. The name of the road one of the few cities in the After my report for the last Secretary, Frank Woods; Robert gives a clear clue that it is next world not making the best use edition of IWN I am pleased to Navan and Jim Henning. We to the River Lagan, and in fact of the river that flows through say that Lough Erne IWAI is still shall keep in touch and hope part of the car park is over a its’ environs. Opening up the in operation, albeit not without that we shall see them all at once operational lock for barges river to boating traffic could be a some difficulty in compiling a forthcoming events. and lighters. The plan was to revolution, and create a major complete committee. At a walk along the tarmac towpath attraction. Already the towpath committee meeting on 14 ChRISTMAS WAlK as far as the Lock Keeper’s is very busy with walkers, November 2015 matters were So with renewed confidence we Cottage and the Red Bridge, joggers, and cyclists. The will to looking grim until our past were able to proceed with our then return to the Cutters open up river access is there, and secretary, John Weir last organised event of 2015, the Wharf. All but a few of those the funding is being assembled. courageously stepped forward to Christmas Walk, held on 28 attending were able to complete A final plan is required for the go become Chairman. Also Alan December in the Stranmillis area this journey, and we first had a ahead to be given. To this end Cousins agreed to be Treasurer, of Belfast. Ably and mainly stop at the Stranmillis Gateway the Lagan Canal Trust has and with sufficient support from organised by our new chairman where Jim Henning and Trevor produced some excellent past committee members we are John Weir, with assistance from Whittaker described the plans booklets, and Sustrans and able to proceed as a functional other members, we were a little afoot to make the Gateway Lagan Valley Regional Park have branch. apprehensive that support would passable by boats via a lock. At their leaflets available without be low in view of the branch present there are hydraulically charge. The following are thanked for situation. But this was not so, as operated gates to determine the their past very valuable support After the walk everyone entered the Cutters Wharf where a sit down light lunch had been organised, which was first class and much appreciated. In view of the branch difficulties this turned out to be a most enjoyable and successful event, and thanks are due to all those who attended and made it so. We now have to see that the same spirit is repeated throughout 2016 and beyond. Photos: Mervyn Rolls Lough Erne IWAI AGM at LEYC 26 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

DuBlIN DRIbblEs FROM JIM O’RIORDAN & MICK KINAHAN Clean up volunteers enjoying coffee and muffins supplied by Starbucks and served by the managers from the local café. Photo: Mick Kinahan Visiting the boats Photo: Mick Kinahan DIVING BEll taken before it was transformed On 11 January, the boys and girls into a monument by Dublin City Dublin IWAI will host a small considering taking on the Green of St Laurence O'Toole Girls Council. The pupils also visited visiting flotilla from Kildare IWAI and Silver to start their journey National School and St Laurence the locks onto the Liffey and and beyond who intend to come early in the season and to try O'Toole CBS Seville Place, Dublin paid a visit to the Box in the to Dublin to take part in and plan the Dublin leg to 1 with their Arts Project leader Docks. They also got to visit the commemorative events. coincide with the Dublin Rally Ms Martina Galvin went on a boats on the jetty. Their guide when there will be lots of help walking tour of the Liffey and for the tour was Mick Kinahan. We would like to encourage as available at locks. A provisional Canals in the Docklands area. many people as possible to list of Effin Bridge lifts for 2016 They visited the Diving Bell of the DuBlIN RAlly 2016 participate in the 2016 Dublin provided by Waterways Ireland is engineer Binden Blood Stoney Preparations for the 2016 Dublin rally for what should be a very reproduced here. which is now transformed into a Rally began early with the setting special event. fantastic museum. up of a special rally sub- Please contact Dublin IWAI for committee who had their first GREEN AND SIlVER more information and advice or This time last year classes from meeting on 18 January. This Very few boats completed the log on to the Green and Silver the same schools were the last year’s rally will have its sights Green and Silver route in 2015. route link on our webpage for people to have their photos very firmly set on a 1916 theme. No great surprise really when helpful hints: We hope to produce a burgee one considers the major closures dublin.iwai.ie/greenandsilver.html depicting Muirchú - formally that occurred on the Grand and known as Helga, the ship that Royal canals and of course the DuBh lINN shelled Liberty Hall during the Barrow in the middle of the The branch boat the Dubh Linn Rising and also one of the first boating season. One wonders if was lifted out of the Grand ships in the newly established this is a foretaste of what is to Canal at Hazelhatch at the end Inside the Diving Bell Irish navy. (See p11 – ed) Rally come if Waterways Ireland’s of 2015. It was transported to a Photo: Mick Kinahan plaques will depict Mount Street vision of an occasional secure storage facility, kindly Bridge, (site of one of the major navigation open from time to provided by one of our conflicts in the rising) and the time comes to fruition. members, Mr Ray Nolan. Over GPO. These are sure to become the coming weeks essential collector’s items. Hopefully 2016 will be a better maintenance and repairs will year with more boats take place to prepare her for the A special Easter Rising Rally will participating in the challenge. coming boating season. take place from April 22 25. We would encourage anyone The Diving Bell Photo: Pat Nolan Binden Blood Stoney Dubh Linn Photo: Mick Kinahan Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 27

OffAly uPDATE FROM CHRISTINE COLLINS we once again would like to extend a very warm and open invite to boaters and non boaters alike. While our main schedule of events have still to be finalised we promise that whatever the weather you will leave Ballycommon with fond memories. Should you wish to be added to our email list for event updates please contact us on [email protected] and write ‘add me in’ in the subject box or contact Gerry on 086 0647797. Looking forward D E Williams House, Tullamore to seeing you all in June, until Photo: Christine Collins then, happy boating. August TBC: Offaly IWAI Cruise in Company - River Shannon AGM REPORT It was a most interesting and History of Mid Shannon will be (Possibly North Shannon) The 2015 AGM of Offaly IWAI very comprehensive talk held on Saturday 12 March in was held in Hugh Lynch’s, exploring the relationship and Hugh Lynch’s Tullamore. September 17–25: Grand Canal Tullamore, Co. Offaly on the 3 the role the Grand Canal had May: An informative talk to be Offaly Floating Festival including December. The Chairperson, with these two great merchant National Ploughing Event John Dolan addressed the traders. Both firms had a number held in Hugh Lynch’s Tullamore - September 20–22: National date to be confirmed. meeting and thanked Hugh of branch shops throughout the Ploughing Event in Tullamore Lynch’s for providing the meeting Midlands connected to an May 28/29: The IWAI Experience room for 2015 with agricultural food processing base & Grand Canal Cruise in November 5, 9am-1pm: Know complimentary refreshments at in malting, brewing and Company. Location: Pollough, your Boat Course: Mechanics all the meetings. Before the distilling. They used Canal Boats Tullamore, Ballycommon. and Winterisation election of officers, John Dolan Snark and 31B to transport their announced that he would be goods along inland waterways June Bank Holiday: November 5, 2pm-6pm: Know standing down as Chairperson. network. Ballycommon Canal Renewal your Boat Course: Electrics We would like to thank John for Along with a brief history of the Group Family Fun Day and Boat Both courses at Harbour his dedication and commitment Tullamore headquartered Rally. Buildings, Kilbeggan Line Grand during his time as Chairperson businesses, Paddy weaved into Canal. and wish him good luck in any his illustrated talk, the fAMIly fuN DAy future post he may hold. The Ballycommon Canal Renewal November: Informative evening background of the two boats Group are once again hosting to be held in Hugh Lynch’s The following Committee was and the working conditions of their annual Family Fun Day on Tullamore - Date and Topic to be elected: the crew. confirmed the June bank holiday weekend Chairperson: Ronnie Colton P & H Egan operated 42B (Snark) Sat 4 and Sun 5. On the back of December: 2016 AGM Offaly as a general cargo boat from a very successful event last year Vice-Chairperson: IWAI Bernadette Quinn 1913. 42B completed a weekly trip between Tullamore and Secretary: Tim Meehan Dublin carrying their products Treasurer: Rosemary Colton including beer and malted barley PRO: Christine Collins on the way up and general cargo and Guinness on the return Webmasters: Ronnie Colton, journey. D E Williams operated Christine Collins 31B from 1912 and traded on Committee: Tom Doheny, the Grand Canal and the River Membership: Alan Hughe Barrow carrying grain until they sold her in 1927. D E WIllIAMS Following the meeting Pat EVENTS fOR 2016 Doheny gave an illustrated talk Feb/Mar: Mystery Bus Tour – entitled: Date and arrangements be confirmed “The general merchant business and bye traders on the Grand March: In conjunction with IWAI About turn Canal, P & H Egan and D E and HBA a conference on The Photo: Diarmuid Collins Williams” 28 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

NEWRy NEWS FROM TANYA DUFFY NEW BRANCh WORK PARTy NEWS OffICERS The autumn season of Our AGM was held at the end of workparties got underway with November and two new branch a series of cleanups around the officers were elected: George Sluicekeeper's Cottage, pruning Beattie as chairman and Tony and felling trees to improve the Donnelly as secretary. Both are view out over Lough Shark. The relatively new members of the new wood chipper purchased branch and both live in recently makes short work of the Banbridge. They are backed up trimmings and the resulting by experienced officers Paul woodchip quickly disappears as Flooding at The Bothy hampered necessary work McKeown as vice chairman and anyone is welcome to take it for Photo: Heather Crawford Jonathan Cully who remains as their garden. A huge tree that treasurer. Bruce Crawford and blocks the navigation has been chamber walls to the councils Radcliff Dolling. The chair of the Paul McKeown maintain their removed now that the water since 2012, and it was agreed Trustees of Lissan House, Tony roles in Safety and Child levels have reduced considerably. that reinstatement of the cill was McMinn, gave us a very Protection. The post of PRO was After numerous requests by necessary to prevent the collapse interesting and detailed tour of left vacant as Geraldine Foley towpath users we removed of the entire lock. The branch the house packed with many stood down this year after 4 shrubbery and hedging at a played an important part in tales and ghostly yarns. Until years in the role. Branch blind bend near the cottage. The continual lobbying to keep the recently, the estate generated its membership continues to rise work has been a huge popular repair high on the Council’s own electricity via its own and new volunteers are always success and sight lines have agenda. We also gave practical hydroelectric system but welcome. Branch meetings will been improved enormously. It help with surveying and building unfortunately time didn't allow continue to be held on the first was agreed at the December a sandbag dam to simulate the for a visit to the powerhouse so Monday of the month AGM that Saturday workparties effect a replacement cill would another visit is merited! We did alternating between Scarva, in 2016 will be increased to have on normal water levels. however enjoy a cream tea in Newry and the Sluicekeeper's fortnightly to facilitate all the When the cill is replaced there their atmospheric tea room Cottage when evening daylight work that needs to be done. will be no physical impediment served on bone china! permits. The AGM was to further lock restoration in the concluded with a screening of MONEyPENNy’S lOCK future. Permission has also been After lunch in Cookstown we 'The Great Railway Debate' The branch had the best possible granted by the Parks Manager of were met at Tullyhogue Fort by movie by The Pass Players which Christmas present last year when the ABC Council to remove self- Paul Logue of the Northern was very amusing and detailed we heard that Armagh City, seeded saplings and to coppice Ireland Environment Agency. Paul the coming of the railway to the Banbridge, and Craigavon more mature trees from between told us not only of the site's village. Borough Council (ABC Council) the towpath and the canal. The history as the dynastic seat of has formally agreed to fund the area around the lock will be part the O’Hagan's and O'Neill’s but restoration of the of the 2016 workparty schedule also a more recent highly upper lock cill at as many trees and undergrowth significant discovery of a Before & after clearing the bend. Moneypenny's with need to be cleared away to prehistoric settlement nearby. Photos: Peter Maxwell work commencing allow access for the work and to in the spring. The let more light into the area, but While there we saw the inauguration stone near the cill had been recent heavy rain has prevented hilltop enclosure where the destroyed in the work on the lock. ancient Kings were crowned. 1950's when the NIEA have plans to develop the original gates were OCTOBER OuTING site during 2016 with a new removed, resulting Our second outing of the year carpark and enhanced visitor in serious took place on the first Saturday facilities. undercutting of the of October. The day began with granite walls by a visit to Lissan House outside water flowing Cookstown. This through the lock was the family chamber. The home of the extent of the Staples family damage only for 400 years became apparent and readers may when a curtain of recall that it was ivy screening the runner up in the lock wall was BBC series removed by IWAI 'Restoration' volunteers. presented by Griff Rhys Jones We have and featured its Cill damage at Moneypenny’s Lock highlighted the late owner Hazel Photo: Peter Maxwell/Geraldine Foley undermining of the Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 29

BElTuRBET bAnTER FROM LORRAINE MCGETTIGAN and have discussed how we attract them back, or in fact encourage others to join. We have information banners all over the Erne/Shannon System and some of our faithful members take part in the various parades throughout the small towns advertising the IWAI. Recently, we have also written to lapsed members to re-join and will continue to seek to find other ways to attract members. BElTuRBET RIVERSIDE There have been a lot of improvements made around the town, but in particular the walkway around the main jetty Belturbet flooding has gone through considerable improvements. So the next time Belturbet Members wish all planning of this special approach. Again we had a great you are thinking about a cruise fellow boaters and members of achievement. turn out, enjoyed a lovely meal with a bit of variety, why not the IWAI, a very happy boating in the Seven Horseshoes head to the town and take a season for 2016 and may all We had our annual barbecue Belturbet, and finished the night dander on the History Trail, or your events be great fun, safe organised by Matt Brady, who, with music, dancing and fun. maybe climb aboard one of the and memorable. by the way, is also the chef. This many exercise stations dotted is a great event. It draws the Unfortunately the weather around the area adjacent to the 2015 lOOK-BACK crowds and proceeds collected wasn’t on our side for our one river. So head to Belturbet, get We had some fabulous boating are donated to a chosen charity. day post-Christmas cruise. This fit, then relax!. Through our events throughout the whole of At our AGM, we had a couple of was planned by Sean Mc Caffrey Chair the branch has continued the last year. changes to the previous long to be held on 27 December. Due to liaise with Cavan County to the high water levels, this had We had our annual Easter outing standing committee. Lorraine to be postponed and has been Council and Waterways Ireland to push the plans for a much to start off the season, which of McGettigan took up the re-organised for Saturday 30 needed Service Block, the joining course was well supported and challenge to fill the shoes of our January. of the jetties and some shore enjoyed by all who attended. previous secretary, Brenda Devine. Anne Nolan took over So for us in the Belturbet IWAI, power bollards. We see this as 2015 saw The Annual Erne Boat the reins from previous Assistant last year was just brilliant and we our priority for the year ahead Rally celebrate its Golden Jubilee Secretary Lorraine. I would just were very blessed to be able to and will keep you informed of in May. This was a wonderful like to congratulate Brenda for enjoy it with friends and like- our progress. event, with a marvellous turn all her hard work and devotion minded people. out. It was widely enjoyed and to the Branch over the last seven Photos: Sinead Bekker celebrated by many old faces years. MEMBERShIP and, very welcome, new ralliers RECRuITMENT DRIVE alike. Congratulations to all For our Annual Dinner we Like all branches we have lost involved in the organisation and maintained a less formal some members over the years Belturbet flooding 30 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

BOylE RIVER NEWS FROM KAY BAXTER but is also well on the way to a you are kept up to date with full recovery. what’s happening. You can also give your subscription to our 2016 EVENTS treasurer David Eustace. Our branch calendar for the year has been compiled, is included in flOODING the IWAI calendar of events and The prolonged and extensive is detailed below. We are happy high water levels in the Shannon to welcome new members or Region have caused a lot of members from any other branch hardship for many people. to join us for any of our events. However it was great to see boat owners keeping an eye on each Our first event of the year will be other’s vessels and posting the Blessing of the Boats on 10 warnings where any vessel April 2016. Details on time and appeared to be in trouble. location will be posted on the The pictures show water levels in Lough Key flooding December 2015 Boyle River Website, Facebook Lough Key on 11 December page and App. Members will 2015 with the old stone pier in also be notified by email. If you Rockingham completely are not receiving emails from the submerged and the swans and branch secretary, please notify us ducks being the only creatures on [email protected] or able to access the life-rings. [email protected]. For those members using ‘whatsapp’ Photos: Kay Baxter we have set up a Boyle River chat group. If you wish to be included in this group please send a text or call Kay Baxter on 087 9825520. MEMBERShIP RENEWAl So this is a good time to renew your membership at www.iwai.ie, if you have not AGM already done so, to make sure Xmas Party 2015 Despite serious concerns at the Kay Baxter (Assistant Secretary lack of committee nominations and Council Rep): Date Event Location Commodores in the lead up to the AGM on 087 9825520 Sun 10 April Blessing of the Boats Lough Key Catriona & Declan 12 December, on the night, the [email protected] existing committee stepped up Sat 30 April Spring Gathering Leitrim Joan & Billy for re-election with commitment ChRISTMAS PARTy Sat 16 July Summer Party Boyle Harbour Aislinn, Liam, Kay from other members to help The AGM was followed by our & Kevin with the secretarial work and annual knees up which took event organisation. Contact place this year in Bruno’s Sat 1 Oct. Bowling Carrick N/A details for the committee are as Restaurant in Boyle. The party follows: was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all so Tommy Egan (Chair): many thanks to Bruno and his 087 2829425 staff for a lovely meal, to DJ [email protected] extraordinaire David Greene for the great music and to Secretary Aislinn Gannon (Secretary): Aislinn Gannon for all her work 083 1140845 [email protected] in organising the event. or [email protected] Everyone was delighted to see Liam McGlynn, who has made a David Eustace (Treasurer): remarkable recovery, and his [email protected] wife Liz in attendance. Although Liam wasn’t quite up to taking Kevin Regan (Safety Officer & to the dance floor, he’s well on Child Welfare Officer): his way. Unfortunately on the 086 2545176 same night Liam’s brother Francis [email protected] was absent due sudden illness Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 31

CORRIB CARRY On FROM ZARA BRADY water mark. The PlANNING CRITICISED grounds that were clearly farming families unsuitable’. Zara’s garden before and after the flood. One of our local Galway County on the islands Councillors, James Charity, was have not been so accused lately of demeaning his VICTORIAN lEVElS lucky. Inchiquin colleagues by insisting ‘they According to Captain Trevor Island has a should have a professional Northage, author of Lough causeway linking qualification or some training in Corrib Chart Book and creator of it to the mainland Planning before standing for wall charts, GPS, etc, the level of at Greenfields. office’. He laid the blame for the Lough Corrib today is about 2ft Currently, the flooding crisis partially at the over the summer norm. It is at only vehicles that door of our elected the level used to create the can cross it are representatives, who he said, original Victorian chart of Corrib tractors. Luckily had allowed land on known in 1846. The level today was the the islanders took floods plains to be zoned for expected minimum in 1846. the precaution of housing. leaving their cars The lake would have looked very on the mainland Rural septic tanks have also different back then. When it was when they saw experienced problems due to the at its highest in the winter, it the water levels high level of ground water. Many would make our recent floods rising. They can of the older types, which are not look quite inconsequential. drive in comfort watertight, began to overflow Usually we can see several of the to Headford (6 and back-up towards the houses. old cairns dotted on islands and miles away) to do This meant that toilets could not headlands around the lake, but their shopping be used. Private wells also, at today’s level they are sitting in but have to cannot operate under these the water, and it becomes transfer all their conditions and may become obvious why they were built. The shopping, fuel contaminated. cairns date to before the lake CORRIB flOODING and fodder into the tractor to was lowered by the Victorians, The storms and relentless rain return home. The causeway is Dr Diarmuid Ó Gráda, a planning and they marked the old this winter has caused a serious long and very exposed; waves consultant, was quoted on RTE shallows, a good example being amount of flooding across parts frequently break over it. News as saying ‘It seems Bird Island, at the entrance to of the country over the last They make the return journey irrational that we are still Annaghkeen Bay. number of weeks. and pray that none of the granting planning permission for The shoreline on Beechey's houses using septic tanks and Many of my neighbours’ causeway has disappeared in the wells in areas that are going to Victorian chart of 1846 is very farmyards, homes and fields meantime. Several roads around be flooded. That can only add to different to that of the modern around Lough Corrib have been the village of Cong, Co. Mayo the misery of the future. It's time shoreline, and of course, the 2ft flooded and submerged. Silage are still impassable. now to reform that system’. difference in level is the reason pits that were open underwent One hardy local Scottie Morrin why. But today, with the lake still extensive saturation. The worry took doing his shopping on He believes that some of the high, what you see out of your now is that they may release horseback! However not even current flooding problems could window is what your ancestors effluent into nearby waterways the horse was brave enough to have been avoided by proper saw in 1846. It's a different lake after the floods recede. Silage chance 7ft depth he planning and said, ‘Many entirely. getting soaked results in a large encountered near the village of families caught up in the loss in digestibility and The Neale. flooding crisis were granted Photos: Zara Brady deterioration is most likely to planning permission for homes in (Except as noted) occur. When this happens farmers have to buy in replacement fodder for their animals. They can get some assistance from the Department of Agriculture if all their fodder (mainly hay & silage) is destroyed but this scheme is expected to be expanded in the coming weeks to relieve hardship. INChIQuIN The areas liable to flooding around Lough Corrib have been well known for generations; generally houses have been Shopping on horseback Lisloughrey harbour casualties constructed well above the high Photo: Greg Costelloe 32 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

lAGAN nEws FROM TERRY NEEDHAM ‘Plans for development of the was generously donated by Dr. navigation have been conceptual John Keane. It is a digital copy of so far. The Gateway project is an original painting in his due to begin in spring, creating a possession. The inscription reads: new lock and footbridge at Stranmillis, to be completed next On the Lagan by Hugh Fraser year. With funding from Lisburn RHA (1795–1865) CC and Castlereagh BC a scheme Donated by Dr. John Keane, to improve facilities at Navigation President, The Old Athlone House and its surroundings Society, 2015 adjacent to Union Locks will transform that area which was In anticipation of navigating formerly abandoned. Emphasis from Athlone to Belfast on will be given to disabled access inland waterways of Ireland. eg to allow for angling. Landing Brenda Turnbull with Jim Henning A fine sentiment. I hope to be places for small boats and present to welcome him and lots canoes will be built and facilities more. fIlM NIGhT Industry at Lock 3. The footfall for training, canoe slalom and of users along the Lagan Film Night in October was a towpath in the Regional Park polo. A new weir at Becky The second is a fine framed great success and justified taking (1.4 million) makes it the busiest Hogg’s will be a major cost photograph of a vessel built by the larger cinema in Comber. of any park or attraction in element of the scheme.’ Arklow Marine Services which The ‘Tudor’ is very popular with Northern Ireland. Visitors to the was presented to our members clubs for fund-raising and barge are increasing and many ChRISTMAS WAlK when a group visited the charitable functions thanks to its bring their reminiscences of the Our neighbours, Lough Erne shipyard. We saw Sally Ann in ever-obliging owner, projectionist navigation as it used to be. IWAI, organised the Christmas the finishing stages, just before (and author) Noel Spence. Meanwhile Jim, Drew Nelson walk but they have long ago the final coat of paint. Due to an Frances Henning kindly provided and helpers are at work on thrown away their tide-tables. unlucky engine failure I found snacks and popcorn. For the day some of us were myself there again three weeks restoration of the Bolinder rebranded by Eddie Ginn as the later and witnessed the launch. AGM engine. The engine was rescued ‘Inland Wading Association’. The from a long retirement, its Our AGM in November re- purchase funded by IWAI, Lough inundation was nothing near as 2016 elected all the officers, with the Erne and Lagan branches. It has serious as other rivers and loughs The programme for 2016 has addition of Jackson Tinto as been realised that in its proper but a very full river met a high been prepared in outline and we Vice-Chairman. The annual position on board it would be tide and the towpath look forward to an even better accounts were presented by John inaccessible and effectively disappeared for a short stretch. year. Ferron and approved invisible so an alternative home A pleasant lunch and get- unanimously. together at the Cutter’s Wharf Photos: Terry Needham will eventually be found. Chairman Jim Henning gave a Volunteers are invited to get restaurant restored good spirits. comprehensive summary of our involved in landscaping and PICTuRES activities in the year. The biggest gardening at Navigation House. Navigation House provides a innovation consisted in Brenda Turnbull for Lagan Canal home for our pictures. The first volunteers opening the barge Trust speaking at the AGM said: On the Lagan by Hugh Fraser Sally Ann in the air Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 33

KIlDARE IwAI FROM ALAN KELLY Maynooth. By the time we returned, c40 people were ready Xmas Walk for soup & sandwiches & Photo: Conor Nolan seasonal stories. And as the crowd dispersed, the rains returned. Many thanks to Pat O Connor IWAI Kildare, Matt Kennedy, Niall Galway & Gerry Fitzpatrick RCAG who ensured a successful and enjoyable day for all the walkers. lOOKING AhEAD Our season kicks off on February 20 with a social evening in Lock 13 pub & restaurant Sallins. For Easter, the fleet will assemble in Allenwood & Robertstown, after which we intend to support As we anticipate another year of ENDEAVOuR CuPS ChRISTMAS WAlK 1916 commemoration events activities on our waterways, here They say that when you reach On December 27, a large during April in Dublin. After the is a round up of what happened New Year it’s out with the old number of IWAI Kildare Dublin Rally we will travel west late last season & a taster of and in with the new. Well IWAI members, joined forces with the to support the Shannon Harbour what to look forward to this Kildare did something similar (if Royal Canal Amenity Group for a Rally where our very own Irene O season. a little before New Year) for the walk from Maynooth Harbour to Neill & Conor Nolan will be Endeavour Cup presentation at Carton House & back. I think we Commodores. The Summer AGM this year’s AGM. 2015 marked got the only good weather months will see the usual Our AGM took place in the the inaugural presentation of the window of the Christmas period collaborations with other Townhouse Hotel in Naas on Ted Johnson Endeavour Cup, a as the clouds rolled away for the branches including IWAI Offaly Thursday November 19. A beautiful trophy supplied by duration of the walk along the before we head East again to healthy turnout saw Jim Wallace in Clane and sponsored towpath. At the mid way point Sallins & Naas for the October Connolly return as Chairperson by Ted Johnson in Sallins. The (Pike Bridge) there was time for Canal Festival. Full details of all (Jim says it will be his last but deserving winners were Marie some mulled wine, mince pies & our events can be found on our IWAI Kildare members are a very Davis & Sally Clifton. And what camaraderie provided by RCAG website at www.iwai.ie/kildare. persuasive bunch). Joining Jim as of the old? It was decided that volunteers. Crossing the Officers will be Irene O Neill, Vice the original Endeavour Cup Maynooth to Leixlip road we Finally, don’t delay in renewing Chairperson, Alan Kelly & Marie should have a permanent home, were treated to the beautiful your membership for 2016 and Davis Secretaries, Adele Kelly and we could think of no better grounds of Carton Estate, why not get a friend to join too! Treasurer & Niall O Dowda PRO. place than with Ronnie & Mary walking as far as the Boathouse Joining/Renewing couldn’t be A large committee filled other Byrne on 72M, who have been (said to have been built by the easier at www.iwai.ie/online365 roles from Child Protection to so closely linked with so many Fitzgeralds for the visit of Queen Safety to Website to Council Rep names on this cup and who Victoria) then exiting the estate Photos: Alan Kelly as well as general help which is continue to represent the spirit along Carton Ave & back to (Except as noted) always needed & very welcome. of what it means to be part of IWAI Kildare. Presenting the New Endeavour Cup Presenting the old Endeavour Cup 34 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

SlANEy snIPPETs FROM BRIAN COULTER, JOHN TULLY & FRED CRAMPTON AGM more interesting and attractive is Slaney IWAI at Polehore House very clearly being met. Photo: Trish Gallagher Slaney IWAI held its Annual General Meeting in the Wexford Sadly, the Committee is losing Harbour Boat and Tennis Club on one of its most hardworking Saturday the 9 January, 2016. officers, as Catherine Malone There were 23 members present stepped down from her position and the branch was delighted to as Secretary. The Officers and all welcome some new members as in attendance thanked Catherine a sign of the positive growth of sincerely for all of her work to the branch. date. Officers elected were Brian The Chairman and Secretary Coulter, Chairman; John Tully, gave insightful reports on the Treasurer and Trish Gallagher as activities held during the past Secretary. The meeting was year. In short, there were several followed by some delicious walks, a branch outing to the finger foods and cakes kindly Titanic Centre in Belfast (a new prepared by the members. departure for the branch), a ENNISCORThy flOOD mini-rally where we were joined RElIEf by Dublin and Barrow Branches, Slaney IWAI was consulted by a clean-up of Kaat Strand, the Wexford County Council on the annual Slaney Rally, a visit to proposed flood scheme for Beggerin Island and a Power Enniscorthy which is undergoing Boat Rally where we were joined detailed planning at the by members of the IWAI Power moment. Boat Club. The Committee’s objective of making the branch See P16 for full report. POlEhORE hOuSE Polehore Castle which was AT-hOME destroyed as a result of the 1798 On New Year’s Day, David and rebellion. It was reconstructed by Bernie Dempsey generously Herbert Francis Hore JP (1817- invited the entire Slaney IWAI 65) who collected a lot of Membership to their beautiful materials relating to the history home at Polehore House. This of Co. Wexford. His son Philip H 'neat and unique residence on Hore later published much of his the banks of the River Slaney’ is work and collected materials in identified in the National the six-volume History of the Inventory of Architectural Town and County of Wexford. Heritage as a major element of We enjoyed a wonderful nineteenth-century domestic afternoon with David & Bernie built heritage in rural County for which we express our sincere Wexford. It was built to replace thanks. Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 35

DOwn On DERG FROM NATALIE MCGOWAN & MICK GERAGHTY Vice–Chairperson, with Natalie harbour was always a favourite McGowan as Secretary and spot for motor homes and they Michael Geraghty as Treasurer. are to be included in the Derg can always be contacted at upgrade with added parking [email protected] or through the facilities. Portumna harbour has Facebook page or webpage. always been popular with members as it has all the ShANNON OAKS convenience of the town on its Great news that the Shannon doorstep along with lovely park Oaks Hotel in Portumna has walks and the historic castle and finally been sold. The hotel was monastery adding to the scenery. badly burnt in a fire 4 years ago and remained an eyesore since. NICK COADy The new owners haven’t been It was with great sadness that announced but it is hoped the members of Lough Derg IWAI Refurbishment works at Portumna Castle Harbour hotel will be restored and learnt of the death of a former Photo: Colin Becker reopened again in the near chairman and long time rally future and bring much needed goer, Nick Coady Snr. Nick was tourist business back to the very involved in both the branch Welcome to 2016. Last year saw water sports weekend thrown in, a very successful Derg Rally 40 We will need help with this one town. and rally committee on Derg for with the highest numbers of so please do come along to the CASTlE hARBOuR many years and had a lifelong boats; we believe it almost meeting on 19 March. Any ideas love of the waterways. He was reached 90 boats and over 300 for Cruise in companies for the Portumna Castle Harbour is also very active in Kilgarvan hundred people. If you are May or June Bank holiday being upgraded at the moment. Angling Club and even in his last planning your summer holidays weekends we would really love Work was delayed due to the months was down checking on now make sure you keep the to hear from you. flooding but recommenced again his boat. Nick passed away week of the Derg Rally free. This OlD RAlly at the end of January. There will Christmas night to the sorrow of year it will take place from the 9 MAGAZINES be power points put in on the his family but he was aware of to 16 of July. We look forward to jetties and the jetties will be the new arrival in the family, a seeing you all again this year on If you have checked out our extended to include the concrete baby boy born to Nicky Jr and Derg so please come join us for webpage recently you will notice pillars giving more mooring his wife Fiona just a few days one of our events which are all we have started to archive our space and making the harbour previously, to continue on the about promoting Lough Derg as old Derg Rally Magazines - they generally safer; no more Coady name down on Derg. a wonderful place to enjoy the make great reading!! - Again we dangling off the pillar! Portumna May he rest in peace. peace and quiet, the water need some assistance with this sports, the sunshine (with a bit particularly from those who kept of luck), the mad crack if that's the old magazines, was there a what your after and the odd Rally One magazine does anyone seisúin. I really hope you are know? - Please let us know if looking forward to this year’s you have a copy of any of the season, it’s been a wet start but missing ones and would be let’s hope it improves and all willing to loan it to us for those who were flooded have publication (it will be returned) managed to get back into their AGM homes. The AGM of Derg IWAI took Clearing up at Shannon Oaks Hotel EXCITING EVENTS place in Larkin’s of Garrykennedy Photo: Fergal Kearney We hope to arrange some on 14 November last. There was exciting events this year and a good attendance and there would love to ask our members was much discussion and banter for help in arranging and of throughout the evening. The What the Derg Members get up to during the season! course participating. Our season branch was sad to see the Photo: Mick Geraghty will start with a Derg IWAI departure of Daniel Burke from meeting on 19 March (some will the position of treasurer. Daniel start sooner), keep an eye to our had held the post for 3 years website for the location and time and the members thanked him but we will be open to all for his hard work and wished suggestions for events at that him all the best for the future. meeting, we have a few in mind Carmel Byrne our hard working already. A couple of cruise in Chairperson agreed to remain in companies with a difference place as and was unanimously particularly for the teens and voted in again. Lana Leonard younger members with maybe a was voted in as 36 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

BARROW BULLETIN FROM JOHN O’GORMAN Pub Graiguenamanagh on the jewel nestling in the lower fourth Tuesday of every month. valleys of the river Barrow was a The quay at Graignamanagh during the floods While attendance has fluctuated bustling center of trade and over the months the branch business through the ages for meetings continue to be monks and millers alike. Today supported by a core group of the remnants of this industry members. The branch will be stand, some in gradual decay organising a trip later in the while others like ‘The Mullicháin Spring and it would be great to Café’ are full of life again with a see as many members as new purpose. A short walk up possible participate. Last year the the hill from the river is the old branch members paid a very church and graveyard on the site interesting visit to Newry and of the seventh century Portadown IWAI and Boyne monastery. The village and Navigation. Over the years surrounds are maintained by St. Barrow IWAI has joined with the Mullins Amenity & Recreational members of the Slaney IWAI for Tourism Group (SMART) the small boat rally early in the The navigation is tidal at St GRAIGuENAMANAGh to be back in operation for a few season. Last April the trip down Mullins and boaters must wait flOODS weeks yet. the Slaney was a huge success for high water to cross the ‘scar’. The year ended in utter Picnic benches washed away with over twenty craft making The trip downstream along the the journey. This year the devastation for the town of from the riverbank at St Mullins branches hope to continue this meandering Barrow from here to Graiguenamanagh when the by the flood, were reported to association. Ross ranks among the most River Barrow burst its banks, have made their way beautiful cruises in the country. along with the Duiske stream. approximately 10 miles ST MullINS Many residents were forced to downstream to New Ross and The gateway to the inland Photos: Brid O Gorman evacuate their homes and a were retrieved there! waterways of Ireland, this quiet number of businesses were destroyed by the flooding. The The Barrow IWAI winter walk town was impassable for a due to take place on January number of days. There was 10 was cancelled due to damage to some of the boats dangerous and unsuitable moored in Graiguenamanagh for conditions along the River the winter, and a couple sank bank. It has not yet been due to the sheer volume of rescheduled as conditions have water. Operation are currently not been favourable for underway to raise the vessels walking. that sank during the recent Our photos were taken on 3 floods. January when the floods were St Mullins was similarly affected starting to recede, but still give with four to five feet of water an idea of the scale of the reported, which rose very rapidly devastation. and did not recede for two to BRANCh NEWS three days. The clean up The monthly meetings have Under pressure at Tinnahinch operation is still ongoing, with been held as planned in Doyle’s some businesses not expecting St Mullins Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 37

CARRICK bITTs C CooSS FROM CONOR MEEGAN ShANNON BluEWAy Carrick-on-Shannon The Shannon Blueway opened in Dromod Harbour 2014. Located between Drumshanbo and Carrick-on- Shannon, it includes 17km of canoe trail and a walking/cycling route. It is now extended with substantial works carried out on the Camlin River. This stretch of water now has a lot more kayakers so please keep that in your name and number to 086 mind on your travels. 2154585, or email [email protected]. Visit us MEMBERShIP on Facebook too. We would like to remind all branch members that BRANCh WEBSITE membership is now due and also The branch website is At the time of writing we might his work. Members were that without you the members continuously updated, so any count ourselves lucky on having reminded to encourage people we would be nothing, and also photos stories or news items such a mild winter, pretty much to join the branch and attend that without being members of please email them to our normal winter temperatures to events to promote the the association our branch can webmaster. A link is available date, but the water levels as we association. do nothing. through the website. all know were exceptionally high, with levels within a centimetre or It was agreed that Nuala Morgan All members are reminded that Photos: Conor Meegan two from the worst seen in (Corry Lass) would be the Carrick to participate in branch events, recent times. While most boats Vice Commodore for the 2016 CiCs, rallies etc that you need to were relatively unaffected, the Shannon Boat Rally and this be a current member. Any homes and businesses around announcement was well received queries or to complete Rooskey the north Shannon area were by all. membership renewal please definitely affected, so we really Following the AGM, Tom contact [email protected] should try to support the local Murphy gave an excellent business community in the presentation on boat uPCOMING EVENTS coming year as much as possible. winterisation, which was enjoyed All members are encouraged to Our photos show some of the by all in attendance. This was attend branch events and indeed flooding around the area. followed by light refreshments in to encourage others to the hotel. participate also. The spring is nearly upon us and the new boating season and we DuNROVIN Further details at look forward to seeing as many The next branch meeting on www.carrick.iwai.ie Rooskey members as possible attending events in the coming year. Saturday 20 February will include a presentation on the Dunrovin II KEEPING uP TO DATE On behalf of the Carrick-on- project in Coosan, where Using text messaging and email, Shannon executive, I would members will be kept up to date the branch members are sincerely like to thank everyone with the current status of the continuously informed of who has participated in the project. upcoming events. If you wish to many branch events during receive text messages please text 2015. Month Date Time Event / Description Location AGM The recent AGM in the Bush February 20 2:00pm Branch Meeting & Presentation on Dunrovin II Bush Hotel Hotel was exceptionally well June 3 – 6 9:00pm Cruise in Company. Bush Hotel attended with over 65 members Commodores: Brian & Bláithín Fitzgerald Registration present. Branch treasurer Johnny Loftus stood down from his role July 22 TBC Shannon Boat Rally - Carrick South Shannon Vice Commodore: Nuala Morgan after several years of excellent service with Denise Byrne taking August 27 1:00pm Waterways Ireland / Carrick Cares Day Lough Key Forest Park over the position. The other outgoing officers were returned September 10 12noon Branch Meeting Bush Hotel and the committee has grown October 1 TBC Carrick / Boyle IWAI Bowling Challenge TBC with new members (Margaret Byrne & Brian Fitzgerald). Thanks October 28 9:00pm End of Season Rally: Registration - Bush Hotel to Tony Byron who stepped Commodores: Paddy & Patricia McCormack down from the committee, for November 19 2:00pm Branch AGM Bush Hotel 38 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

ShANNON HARbOuR FROM MARTINA BUCKLEY 118B Photo: Conor Nolan The Shannon Harbour Canal We will have our usual barbeque in the evening. We will Boat Jumble Ireland, sports day Boat Rally will be held on the 17, welcoming reception on the also have fun and antics for the for the children and prize giving. 18 & 19 June. This year we are Friday night to kick off the Pat Henry Mischief Cup. We look forward to seeing you very pleased that our weekend. On Saturday we will On Sunday there is a Boat at the Shannon Harbour Canal commodores are Conor Nolan have fun and games for all along Jumble which is organised by Boat Rally 45. and Irene O'Neill on 118B with the children's barbeque in the afternoon and the adults Heavy metal in Shannon Harbour 2012 Photo: Martina Buckley Small boat on SHCBR 2010 (look carefully!) Photo: Tom Bailey Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 39

AThlONE ATTRIbuTEs FROM BRIAN CORCORAN professional team to re- evaluate DuNROVIN uPDATE the marina facility, level of usage, Dunrovin is a work in progress design and possible re-design or with the RNLI and the Executive enhancement and how it makes subcommittee are visiting a contribution to the town. The branches to explain the project Director of Services is to give an and seek support in general. update to the sub-committee on Later in the year we hope to Fri 29 Jan at the Athlone Civic advise of a more definite Centre. position and it is hoped that in conjunction with RNLI we will Flood defence on the quays in Athlone lOuGh REE WATER embark on building a modest Photo: Niamh Herraghty lEVElS home for the IWAI at Dunrovin. As we all are very aware there ChANGE Of ChAIR On 7 Dec last, Siobhan organised have been record levels on WATERWAyS IRElAND At our 2015 AGM, having had an opportunity for the branch to Lough Ree over the past three ENGAGEMENT two great years at the helm, present our raison d’etre to months. Ironically, we wrote to Athlone Branch have compiled a Siobhan Bigley stood down and Athlone Municipal Council. We Waterways Ireland in October list of 11 items of improvement Brian Corcoran took up the presented and discussed ‘History, expressing concern over how low to the navigation and facilities in position of Chairperson for Objectives, Membership, the levels were on the lake in the environs of Athlone and 2016. The branch showed their Activities etc’ for about an hour October where it went to an Lough Ree. It is expected that we appreciation for the great work with the councillors. Our almost record low of 37.17m will be meeting Waterways done by Siobhan and presented presentation was well received (above datum Pooleg) on 21 Oct Ireland in early February to her with a beautiful bouquet of and we believe we have at Ballyglass, south end of Lough discuss these items. flowers. Among her key renewed and strengthened our Ree. The ESB/Waterways Ireland contributions were her ability to relationship with them. We committed Absolute Min Level is BRAND SPANKING engage with the community, expect excellent support for the 36.88m, so the ‘low’ was 29cm NEW WEBSITE unveil projects and gain funding 2015 Shannon Boat Rally when above absolute min. On 4 Jan Major thanks goes to our from local business. Subsequent it comes to town in July. 2016 we had a peak high of PRO/Webmaster Paul King for to the meeting Birgitte Benson 39.71m, so the lake rose a full the outstanding work done over accepted the position of CyClEWAy 2.54m (8’4’’ in old money!) in 75 the past six months on our new Secretary, good luck to Birgitte in One of the topics discussed at days. During a few rain free days website, please have a look at her new role. the Council presentation was the in mid-January, the level dropped www.iwai.ie/athlone/ and give us National Cycleway through about 5cm per day. As of 30 Jan your thoughts and opinions, but WhATS GOING ON? Athlone, with a proposed new the level was 39.00m, so it will more importantly please post any We held our first committee bridge crossing from the take 20 rain free days to get items of interest, stories, reports meeting of 2016 on 14 Jan Radisson Hotel to the Luan back to a healthy level of or photos on to Paul at where we set out our objectives Gallery. In October, our branch 38.00m. A big challange! [email protected] for for the year. Our calendar of Cycleway Sub-Committee, inclusion on the site. events is included in this issue of chaired by Pat Cooney, lodged the IWN. There will be a focus an objection to the current plans With the flooding comes some beauty on getting more ‘hands-on’ setting out our concerns that the Photo: Sarah English project work within the branch. bridge could dis-lodge up to 30 Over the past number of years mooring positions in the town our CIC social events have marina. Having set out our become very successful, now it is position to members and time to ‘get our hands dirty’. Our Director of Services, Mr Barry first ‘project’ job will take place Keogh, we learned that the on Sat 2 April - keep it free! council has engaged a Graph from waterlevel.ie showing flood peak in Athlone. Courtesy John Keane. Athlone jetties Photo: Niamh Herraghty 40 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

BOyNE bAnTER FROM MYLES BRADY Staleen Lock: The next in line for gates (l to r) Brian Fitzgerald, Chairman Meath CoCo; Myles Brady, Chairman Boyne IWAI; Jackie Maguire, Meath Co. Manager; Seamus Costello, Secretary, Boyne IWAI; and Mike Egan, Boyne IWAI and owner of Lock House and garden at Sea Lock Banks’ officer, Stephen Early, Greg Jennings. The meeting was during the high water periods, followed by supper, featuring, has minimised possible damage. among other delights, mince pies to mark the beginning of the The repair and repointing of the festive season. Again, many www.boyne.iwai.ie on the stone bank retaining wall on the BuSy NEW yEAR! Wednesday before each next upstream section at Stalleen thanks to our catering staff! With the arrival of the New Year, workparty Saturday Lower continued, and a finish to Our Branch ‘Open Day’ was held two major factors have limited this work is in sight. However, on Sunday, 6 September, as one the restoration activities of IWAI RESTORATION this work has been interrupted of the events held locally, as part Boyne Navigation during the past PROGRESS due to the wet weather, and will of Heritage Week. It was a very few months – firstly, the We have been working during be resumed as soon as the successful occasion, despite weather, and secondly, the the Winter months at several weather improves. continuous rain for most of the numbers taking part in our locations along the navigation, day! Upwards of 100 members regular workparties! governed to a great extent by On the Navan canal section, of the public took part in boat weather conditions. Work has work began on clearing the trips on the canal, and everybody The very wet weather during the been carried out on the downstream lock at Stackallen, period, has slowed, but certainly Oldbridge section; at Stalleen on and clearance of the canal enjoyed tea, coffee, and light not stopped our on-site the next upstream section; and section between the lock and refreshments in our marquee restoration work. The bad at the Stackallen lock on the ‘Broadboyne’ bridge will with the compliments of the weather has limited the areas in Navan section. continue when other work Branch. Despite the bad weather, which workparties could permits. the day was enjoyed by all who operate, due to a combination of Work along the Oldbridge attended. high water levels, and wet section has been limited to more OThER BRANCh ‘Off SITE’ PROGRESS weather but, the enthusiasm of clearance of this watered section ACTIVITIES The contract fabrication of the the hardy souls who have braved of the canal. However, work here The 9th Branch AGM was held tailgates for the ‘Turf Lock’ at the conditions has not been had to be discontinued due on Tuesday 1 December in the West end of the ‘Oldbridge’ dimmed! mainly to the very high water Newgrange Lodge, Donore. Four canal section is almost levels. Continuous attention to The second limiting factor on our water levels and operation of the officers, and eleven committee completed, and a delivery date is activities has been our workparty sluices on the ‘sealock’ at the members were elected by a being negotiated, to enable numbers. We have had downstream end of this section good attendance. We particularly installation of the gates to go encouraging turnouts, even on by our ever vigilant ‘Water & welcome our new committee ahead as soon as water levels on bad weather days, but the work members John Murdoch, and this canal section permit. could go faster if more people Negotiations are continuing with take part! So, even if you have ‘Fáilte Ireland’ and with all the not taken part in the past, please Kevin Fullam with his chainsaw clears some overhanging branches. official state and semi-state come every second Saturday, bodies concerned in the grant when you will find a hearty awarded by ‘Fáilte Ireland’ to welcome, good company, IWAI, for the restoration of the pleasant surroundings, and a Stalleen deep lock, and clearing very welcome ‘soup and of the canal as far as the ‘Brú na sandwiches’ lunch supplied with Bóinne’ Newgrange heritage the compliments of the Branch, centre. Satisfying all the grant by our always dependable and requirements is proving to be a good humoured catering group. daunting, but achievable, task. The dates, times, and exact Major thanks are due to our location of the work activities hardworking sub-committee! along the waterway, can be Photos: Seamus Costello found on our website, Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 41

CRuISING Club FROM SEAN O’RIOGAIN Eric Herrieven, Chairman. which the following events promise to be some of the Tony Barry, Honorary Secretary. highlights: Bryan O’Donnell, Treasurer. Easter: Road trip to the Titanic During the course of the Experience, Belfast. evening, and in the presence of May Bank Holiday: CiC to family members, led by her Riverfest, Limerick. widower, Brendan O’Dowd, we also took the opportunity to July: CiC to North Shannon or fondly remember fellow branch Erne (TBD). member, Rita O’Dowd, who passed away earlier in the year. August Bank Holiday: Scarriff This was greatly facilitated by a Harbour Festival. Tony Barry (incoming Hon. Sec.) with Shane and Alice Ward moving multimedia tribute to August 17 to 21: Terryglass Arts Rita’s boating career, superbly Festival. ThE TIME Of yEAR has been blessed with produced and presented by our We look forward to seeing as outgoing branch chairman, Paul informative, convivial and At any time of year, the lot of entertaining AGMs for many Scannell. many of our crews as possible in the branch scribe is not a years, thanks to the efforts the attendance at these events, and happy one, what with the excellent branch committees lOOKING fORWARD would be delighted to see crews pressure of unrealistic editorial we have had during that time. The incoming committee has from other branches deadlines (just joking, Colin!) And this year was no different. gotten off to a flying start by participating as well. and the Pulitzer Prize-type For the second year in a row, drafting the Cruising Club’s competition between his/her the Cruising Club’s AGM was fixture list for the coming year, in Photos: Paul Scannell counterparts in other branches held in the Hodson Bay Hotel etc. But at this time of year, the in Athlone, where the outgoing life of the branch scribe is even committee again negotiated a harder than usual. That’s very good B&B rate of €98 for because there are basically only a double/twin room. This year, two options for decent copy the event was held on open to him/her: namely, the Saturday, 28 November and the atrocious weather conditions running order for the evening (shredded tarpaulins due to was as follows: gale force winds, submerged jetties due to high water levels 18.00: AGM. and flooding, and so on) and the Branch’s Annual General 19.30: Mulled Wine Reception. Meeting. This year, thanks to 20.00: 4-Course Dinner global warming and Teresa (interspersed with games and Mannion, the foul weather prizegiving, organised and conditions are no longer as compered by Paul Scannel). newsworthy as they once were. Rita Reed and Val Moroney So that leaves only the AGM. 22:00: Music and Dancing courtesy of DJ John Nugent. ANNuAl GENERAl During the AGM, the following MEETING key branch officers were Thankfully, the Cruising Club elected: Mary Healy, outgoing Hon. Sec., is presented with a bouquet of flowers by Brendan O'Dowd with daughter, Kathleen Fitzpatrick incoming Chairman Eric Herrieven. 42 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News

POWERBOAT bRAnCH FROM EIBHLIN SMYTH Powerboat fleet at Enniscorthy, 2015 Photo: Mark Merrigan 2016 COMMITTEE May 2016 date to be Powerboats at Carrickfergus, Summer 2015 IWAI Powerboat Committee confirmed: Powerboat run in Photo: Cormac Smyth Members for 2016 are: memory of Austin Gunning in Dromod Chairperson: Cormac Smith June: activity weekend in Secretary: Clodagh Benson Terryglass: Keep an eye on Treasurer: Mark Merrigan Facebook for updates. PRO: Eibhlin Smith July: Derg Rally and Shannon Denise Byrne Boat Rally Will Ellis August: Activity weekend: Keep Ivan Mullins an eye on Facebook for updates Dave Ellis MEMBERShIP OuTINGS IN 2016; Please make sure that you have May Bank Holiday weekend 29, renewed your membership! Robert & Avril Maitland on the Slaney, 2015 30 April and 1, 2 May: Killary Photo: Mark Merrigan Harbour Run Weekend. Please NEXT MEETING contact a member of the May: Date TBD committee if you are interested in attending, accommodation booking fast. Blackwater action in 2014 Photo: Mark Merrigan Lough Allen Outing, Winter 2014 Photo: Ann Mullins Powerboats at The Gobbins, Summer 2015 Photo: Cormac Smyth Inland Waterways News Spring 2016 43

CRUISING IN COMPANY Royal Canal Report by Derek Whelan and RCAG Chairman, Matt Kennedy later placed a wreath Luas works near 8th Lock by the plaque recalling the event on Porterstown Bridge. ClEAN-uP GROuPS A clean-up group has been operating very successfully for the past two years on the canal between Binns Bridge and Broombridge. This group meets on one Saturday each month terminus of the new cross-city and collects all the itter along line which will travel from this stretch which is later Stephens Green to Broombridge. removed by Dublin City Council. Much of the track has already DCC also provide bags and been laid in the city centre but it equipment for this purpose. In will be 2017 before services recent months new groups have commence. There will be no formed at North Strand and interference with the canal as all Ashtown and it is hoped to work is confined to the south It has been quite some time now Harbour, along the canal to Pike since an RCAG news column has Bridge and then through the extend further west along the bank. canal in the summer months. appeared in IWN and while we grounds of Carton House, CyClE PAThS regret this neglect, we hope to returning via the Avenue to NEW JETTy Kildare County Council has bring you up to date with Maynooth town. Mince tarts and current events and to continue mulled wine were served along The canal is currently closed applied for planning permission above 8th Lock to facilitate the to construct a cycle track from the newsflow in coming editions. the way and we were blessed with good weather. We were building of a new jetty opposite Confey to the Meath border. With the restoration of the Royal delighted to be joined by Royal Canal Park. Ballymore Other stretches are in course of Canal to navigation in 2011 the members of Kildare IWAI for the Properties are building new preparation from Sheriff St organisation seemed to lose event. apartments and houses nearby Bridge to Newcomon Bridge and purpose and some members and plan to include a from Cross Guns Bridge to drifted away. In 2013 it was REMEMBRANCE Community facility beside the Ashtown. In August last the decided to relaunch RCAG with SERVICE jetty for the use of residents. Cycleway from Mullingar to the objectives of promoting the The greatest loss of life on the The canal should reopen by Athlone was opened and this tourism and leisure attractions Irish canal system happened near can be accessed from the Royal. and of developing new amenities Porterstown Bridge on Nov 25, Easter. Canal at Ballinea Bridge. along the Royal Canal corridor. A 1845 when the evening boat new website has been developed from Dublin to Longford sank luAS DEPOT Photos: Derek Whelan and to learn more about us just with the loss of 15 lives. On the Within a short distance of the go to; www.royalcanal.net 170th anniversary of this tragedy 8th Lock at our committee decided to hold a Broombridge, a ChRISTMAS WAlK. service of remembrance in new depot is being New jetty development near 8th Lock On Sunday 27 Dec we held our Porterstown Church. The service built to house the walk which started at Maynooth was conducted by Fr Paul Ward Luas trams at the New road crossing at Reilly’s Bridge 44 Spring 2016 Inland Waterways News