Waterway events cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic

WHAT was shaping up to be a year of milestone celebrations and events for Ireland’s inland waterways is now in jeopardy.

Following the spread of Covid-19, events which have been years in the planning are now being postponed or cancelled in an attempt to maximise social distancing and help curb the spread of the illness.

The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) was one of the first to take action when it cancelled its AGM. The Skippers Expo due to be held in Galway during March followed suit, with the Dublin branch of the IWAI hot on their heels cancelling a rally which was to form the main attraction of the 2020BC Big Cruise event, organised to promote Ireland’s canals. Next was the Float to the Fleadh which was expected to attract a large number of boaters journeying in convoy to reach Mullingar Harbour for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2020 music event in August.

Waterways Ireland extended its winter bridge and lock opening times before announcing, in Marine Notice 23 of 2020, a comprehensive list of additions which included service blocks remaining shut, the postponement of boat traffic in and out of Dublin, the withdrawal of waterway patrollers on the Shannon-Erne Waterways resulting in temporary closure of navigation and closure of locks of the Lower Bann.

This was superseded by Marine Notice 31 of 2020 which notifies closure of locks to boat traffic and restricted use of towpaths. For a full listing and/ or further updates visit: https://www. waterwaysireland.org/news-centre/ marine-notices

This year was due to be a year of great celebration on the inland waterways marking the 20th anniversary of Waterways Ireland, the 60th Shannon Boat Rally and the 250th anniversary of the Lough Ree Yacht Club, among others.

With changes occurring on a daily basis, the public are encouraged to check with the relevant organisations and associations for up-to-date information but above all to ‘stay at home.’

New information about Covid-19 is becoming available every day as doctors and scientists study the virus and how it affects people. The situation is evolving and therefore so is advice and guidance.

The Department of Health is leading the government response in Ireland to Covid-19 and is providing up-to-date information and advice on its website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/ department-of-health