Ownership of Lakes/Water/Lake Beds in Ireland?

betterfly · 05-11-2009 08:26PM #1

Oddball Question I know. I 've heard many different theories over the years about the ownership of the Lakes in Ireland that we all use and enjoy for fishing/sailing/waterskiing etc, many will tell you that;

The County Council have taken charge of them
The Queen owned them, and gifted them to the Irish People
That Riparian Land owners own them in "Wedges" going out to a centre point
The Lake Bed is owned by one party and the water is owned by the ESB/Waterways Ireland

I consider it a difficult question, and its hard to grasp how water can be owned by anyone because of the way it changes level etc. I understand that sporting and fishing rights are entirely separate. Is there any legal references that clear up the ownership of lakes anyone can point me to?

Thanks

Betterfly

Victor · 05-11-2009 09:03PM

Check the constitution, but I think the state actually owns the actual water and power generation rights (which it doesn't seem to charge for).

Riparian (waters edge) land owners would be the dominant owner, certainly of smaller lakes and rivers as far as high tide, but as you saying sproting / fishing rights afre often held independently.

Tidal foreshore is owned by the state, but may be leased.

Waterways Ireland only control certain waterways, predominantly canals and canlised rivers.

Ownership of Lakes/Water/Lake Beds in Ireland?

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