Cruise-in-Company:   Inistioge, August weekend 2015.

Here are some notes for boats that may wish to join our cruise-in-company August Bank Holiday weekend.  Some boats may come earlier and spend a week, but here are recommendations for those going up and back in a single weekend.  Best option would be to start holidays a week earlier, and head down to New Ross for Thursday/Friday before the trip to Inistioge.  Then head upstream, starting 3pm Saturday.

Saturday, Aug 1st.  High Tide at St, Mullins lock is ~9:00 am.  Boats with 3ft draft can clear lock approximately 2hrs either side of high tide, so it’s better to get going early. Plan on getting down the sea-lock at  St.Mullins by 10:30 .  So boats should come down from Graignamanagh and points North a few days in advance, or face a very early start on Saturday.  Time from Graignamanagh to St.Mullins = 2hrs minimum, if you do it Saturday morning (3 locks to pass).

See http://www.iwai.ie/maps/barrow/maps.barrow.20.html , 21 & 22.

Heading down from St. Mullins (thru some of the finest scenery on our waterways), boats will generally fit under Ferrymountgarrett bridge by noon – generally speaking, by the time you get there you should have the clearance.
Two options:

  • Linger above the bridge enjoying the tranquility & drift down to the Nore for low tide, then slowly drift up river toward Inistioge.  Not recommended for boats who have concerns about taking the ground – moving up too early.

  • Head down-stream as soon as the bridge allows and drop into New Ross.  When the tide turns, start back upriver for Inistioge.  Advantages:  Allows time for a visit to Dunbrody, shops, etc.  Just make sure to start back upstream while air-draft allows you to pass under the New Ross road bridge.  Local advice is that average cruisers will have no difficulty if they start up at least 2hrs before the top of the tide (4:30pm)

Options for mooring in Inistioge:

Stay to the right of the islands on the way up – see the IWAI guide (map #26 in Barrow section of the site: http://www.iwai.ie/maps/barrow/maps.barrow.26.html ).  It should be safe to proceed all the way up to the coal qual, so long as you don’t pass “the red house” more that 2hrs before high tide (7:30pm) – it’s about 15 minutes further on.
On arrival boats that can take the ground can tie up at coal quay.  Boats that need water should stay out toward the middle of the channel, and anchor (fore & aft to prevent swinging) in the stream.

Sunday, enjoy Vintage Festival, Woodstown estate, and village atmosphere.  If possible, dress boats with bunting.   Sunday afternoon, a game of horse-shoe pitching, or maybe rope tossing will be organised.
Dish-to-pass supper option, on the quay.

Boats departing Bank Holiday Monday need to head off by 10:00 at the latest.

Red tape & safety:

  • All children to wear life jackets.  All boats to have insurance – skippers are responsible for the care of their crew, (and due care and attention to all other attendees), at all times.

  • Membership of IWAI is required for the event.  Please have membership forms submitted (or be prepared to fill one out on the weekend).

  • Always ensure you have agreed with other skipper before tieing onto their boat – they are best judge of their holding gear.

We look forward to seeing you there – come by car, if not by boat.