Inland Waterways Association of Ireland
Iarnród Éireann inaction ruins boating adventure!
The largest gathering of boats to travel the Royal Canal in many years have had their adventure scuppered by the inaction and disinterest of Iarnród Éireann.
The skippers, all members of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), have been planning this trip for almost a year, travelling from Clondara in Longford across to the Dublin Basin via the Royal Canal and returning via the Grand Canal to the River Shannon at Shannon Harbour. Bringing colour and excitement to each of the towns and villages through which the canal winds, they also bring much needed boosts to the local economies.
Iarnród Éireann control the Newcomen Rail Lifting Bridge which obstructs the Royal Canal as it lies diagonally across the canal at the west end of Spencer Dock in Dublin. This bridge has to be lifted to allow any vessel through. Lift dates are planned and published early in the year, and have been reduced to as little as six times per year, lifting for only one hour each time. Last year the final bridge lift in August did not happen because the lifting mechanism was not working. Is it any wonder this bridge is known among the boating community as ‘The Effin Bridge’
Fast forward to May 2025, and despite the itinerary being published months ago and the planned date for traversing beneath the bridge being known for months, Iarnród Éireann have failed to repair the bridge in time. Waterways Ireland, who are responsible for the canals, have worked tirelessly with IWAI to ensure this trip runs seamlessly but despite their efforts the fleet will have no option but to turn in Confey, where they are currently, or Castleknock and go back the way they came.
The knock-on effect extends to the IWAI Dublin Rally, the annual trip up the Liffey on 17th May and the parade of boats in the Dublin Basin – all now cancelled.
Similarly, a group of boats from Clontarf Yacht club had to cancel their plans to travel down the Royal Canal to the River Shannon and return by the Grand Canal.
The canals are built for travel by boats, barges, canoes, kayaks etc and can be a huge attraction in any town or village.
President of IWAI John Fitzgerald stated ‘It is unacceptable in this day and age that the tourism potential of the Royal Canal can be ruined by this rail bridge. So much work was done by so many to reopen the Royal Canal in 2010 but this bridge completely blocks entry to, or exit from, the Royal Canal unless it is lifted. IWAI have been campaigning for years to have this bridge replaced or refurbished to ensure it can be lifted easily as needed to accommodate vessels. It is now time for the government and local elected representatives to get behind this campaign and force Iarnród Éireann to act’
Contact: John Fitzgerald – IWAI President – Tel: 083 3144043
Some of the boats moored at Kilcock on their journey to Dublin
Iarnród Éireann must provide a working bridge for boat traffic