Barge at Shandon

SmartinMartin

Out for a walk early this morning on the royal canal. I saw a beautiful live - aboard dark green barge moored just above the mill lock at Shandon. it looked about 65ft and newly painted. It's an unusual sight this far into the city. Is this a route for newly launched vessels to the rest of the canal network?

L1011

The Royal is used by some pleasure craft and I believe is open to Spencer Dock but probably not through the bridges to the Liffey as I think they don't open. Height limits at Sheriff Street and rare lifts at Newcomen are issue

Vic_08

Both canals are open all the way to the Liffey. The Royal was officially re-opened for it's whole route from the Shannon to the liffey but the section near the city sees little boat traffic, the access to the Liffey requires pre-arrangement to open the railway bridge at Newcomen and due to the limited use it can be a challenge to navigate.

Dick Warner who died earlier this year documented a journey on the newly re-opened stretch in 2011.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1qlV7TNhXo

The main reason that boats are rarely seen near the city is our uncontrolled issues with crime and anti-social behaviour. All boat hire companies ban taking boats beyond points in Kildare and private owners are also wary of taking boats too close to Dublin Suburbs.

The canal boat trade should be something promoted as a tourist attraction for Dublin as it is for other European cities with working canals but it cannot because of the serious problem Ireland has with unchecked criminality and thuggery. It has also become an issue in other locations, Athlone in particular having a major problem with thefts from hire cruisers. Boaters are warned away from mooring anywhere in the town but the floating pontoons which have gated entry and security patrols.

SmartinMartin

Thanks for that, well worth a watch. The boat wasn't there this morning so it seems it was an access journey inland. It either headed on towards the Shannon or it's on top of a bonfire in broombridge.