A Short Cruise on the Royal – Ballybrannigan CIC

Our flagship events of the 2020s BC in 2024 are the Ballybrannigan CIC (in August) and the Dublin Rally (in May). Plans are being finalized at the moment… stay tuned!

 

The 2020s BC (big cruise)

The brainchild of IWAI Dublin, the 2020s BC was a wonderful plan to attract more traffic onto the canals and Barrow throughout a single season. By joining the 2020s BC and cruising to whichever event(s) on the list takes your fancy, it was hoped to significantly increase traffic on the Canals and Barrow Line. There would be support for anyone new to canals cruising, so you could explore the canals in confidence. Start with one event and hopefully add several more! Watch this space for further details!

 

Planning Submissions

IWAI keeps a close eye on any planning applications which might have a bearing or impact on the canals and their environs. Over the past four years we have lodged detailed submissions with the various County Councils through which the canals pass. These submissions take care to focus on preservation of canal heritage while promoting tourism, they advocate the essential need for improved maintenance where appropriate, such as on the Barrow Navigation. We highlight the need for better/new facilities where needed, such as service blocks, water, pumpouts, toilets and changing facilities, lighting, bike racks, parking, accessibility, liveaboard facilities where there is demand. We also try to preempt future demand and accordingly suggest improved facilities where they are likely to be needed in the future.

Some of those are listed below:

  • Tullamore Harbour Masterplan 2024
  • Naas LAP 2021-2027
  • Confey Lands Masterplan 2024
  • Dart+West (re. Newcomen Rail Lifting Bridge)
  • Royal Canal Greenway
  • DUBLIN CITY DEV PLAN 2022-2028
  • Barrow Maintenance 2024
  • HARBOUR FIELD PARK MAYNOOTH 2023
  • MONASTEREVIN LAP – 2024
  • BLUEBELL WATERWAYS DEVELOPMENT, G.C. LOCK 5, DUBLIN. 2024

 

Google Trekker on the Royal

Remember you can view the Shannon River and Royal Canal virtually on Google Maps. Waterways Ireland recorded footage of these waterways in the recent past with the Google Trekker. The river Shannon was mapped creating ‘River View’, now we also have a ‘Royal View’. Simply log on to Google Maps and drag the Street View icon (the little man in the corner of the screen) onto the image of the canal anywhere along it’s length. You can then move forward, backward or rotate your view.