On the north-western edge of Europe, Ireland faces the North Atlantic Ocean. The Gulf Stream, which runs directly along its rugged coasts, ensures a mild climate and the typical changeable weather of sunshine and rain showers - the best conditions for the island's proverbial greenery. Slightly smaller in area than Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia combined, Ireland has an interconnected, navigable inland waterway network of dammed rivers and canals of around 750 kilometres in length.
For its management and operationWaterways Ireland a joint cross-border organisation of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. If you are travelling on your own keel, you will hardly notice the political border between the two parts of the island.
The most famous and most important river for tourism is the 215 km navigableShannonwhich runs from Loch Allen in the north of the Republic of Ireland to Limerick on the Atlantic. The "Shannon Navigation" is rich in impressions: Sections of river with a natural appearance alternate with longer stretches of sea. The good infrastructure contributes to the fact that the Shannon (licence-free like all Irish inland waters) is also suitable for beginners and is home to several large charter fleets (see below).
In the north, the charter area is bordered by theShannon-Erne Waterway which, with 16 locks, provides the connection between the upper reaches of the Shannon and theErne system in Northern Ireland, a charming, somewhat isolated river and lake landscape characterised by many small islands and a navigable length of 84 km.
Two historic canals from the early 19th century connect the Shannon with the capital city of Dublin on the east coast.Royal Canal (146 km long, 46 hand-operated locks), on the other hand, the river running a little further south and almost parallel to it.Grand Canal (131 km, 43 locks). Together with the middle section of the Shannon to the north and south of Lough Ree, they form the "Irish Triangle" for sports skippers and houseboat dwellers.
NAUTICAL INFORMATION
- TheRegistration of a boat is compulsory on most inland waterways in Ireland: on the Erne system a licence plate must be applied for from 10 hp, on the Shannon-Erne-Waterway and Shannon from 15 hp, on the Grand and Royal Canal you generally need a temporary permit.
- For theFairway marking there are two systems: On the Shannon, the downstream beacons have black top signs on the left and red top signs on the right. On the Erne, the top signs are red and white, with the white half pointing towards the fairway.
- TheLocks on the Shannon are the largest on the island with a chamber length of almost 30 metres and are operated by attendants. Otherwise, self-service is usually the order of the day: either semi-automatic with a chip card, as on the Shannon-Erne-Water-way, or with muscle power and your own crank, as on the Royal and Grand Canal.
CHARTERING IN THE HUNTING GROUND
- Le Boat operates three bases in Ireland: Carrick-on-Shannon, Portumna (both Shannon) and Belturbet (Erne system), between which one-way trips are also possible. The company offers nine types of houseboat for 3 to 10 people. Contact: Le Boat, c/o Crown Blue Line, Theodor-Heuss-Str. 53-63, 61118 Bad Vilbel, Tel.: 06101-557 91 75.
- Carrickcraft is a local provider. The fleet comprises nine types of houseboats with space for 3 to 12 people at the bases Carrick-on-Shannon and Banagher (both Shannon), Tully Bay (Erne) and on the Lower Bann. Contact: Carrickcraft, Kinnego Marina, Oxford Island, Lurgan, N. Ireland, BT66 6NJ, tel. 0044-28-38 34 49 93.
POTENTIAL PLANNING
The current brochure "Guide to Ireland's Inland Waterways" provides all the information you need for planning your trip and the following areas: Boat registration and permit, data on all waterways, service details, contacts. 60 pages, free download at www.waterwaysireland.org
