IWAI - Chronology 1990s

	1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, Recent Activities
05-Jan-90	Watling Street lockgate factory closed after 10 years: work on gates for the eastern end of the Royal Canal completed and ready for installation.
09-Mar-90	Grand Canal re-opened after breach repair and extensive work to the embankments on the long level.
06-Apr-90	Damien Delaney succeeded Peter Hanna as President.
16–17 May 1990	Ulster Waterways conference held in Dungannon to focus attention on the N.I. waterways
25-30 May 1990	Erne Branch hold a Silver Jubilee 25th Annual Erne Rally with a large number of boats and enjoying very good weather,
02-Jun-90	Minister Brendan Daly cuts a tape at Blanchardstown to launch a Rally to Mullingar with seven boats completing this historic trip.
30 June–1 July 1990	1st Slaney Rally held to Enniscorthy.
05-Jul-90	IWAI expresses reservations about the Shannon Navigation Act 1990 which Transfers the Ballinamore & Ballyconnell Canal to OPW and certain other functions including introducing new by-laws to include registration of boats.
26-Nov-90	Taoiseach, C.J. Haughey and Peter Brooke inaugurated the works on the Ballinamore & Ballyconnell Canal as a flagship North/South project with ESBI awarded the contract.
1990	Dublin Branch, anticipating the eventual re-opening of the Royal Canal and the need to provide safe moorings in the Dublin area appoints members of the committee to discuss the future of Ringsend Basin with Dublin planning officers.
1990	Kilbeggan Development Association renovating the stores at Kilbeggan Harbour.
1990	Death of George Speirs, who had worked to establish the Upper Barrow Branch.
1990	Death of “Doc” Farrell, active Carrick Branch member over a long period.
1990	Corrib Branch refurbished Inchagoill pier.
1990	Feasibility Study of the Newry Canal completed, commissioned by the three local councils which had been taken over the canal.
1990	OPW and the Central Fisheries Board commence a 5-year programme to develop the Grand and Royal canals as coarse angling fisheries.
1990	Scarva Branch welcomes the publication of a feasibility Study of the Newry Canal.
1990	Preliminary investigations to examine the feasibility of restoring the Lough Allen Canal into Lough Allen.
1990	IWAI make a submission to Brady Shipman Martin who are undertaking a study on the future development of the waterways for OPW.
1990	Taoiseach C.J. Haughey, suggested the establishment of a North/South Inland Waterways Commission for the development of the waterways of the island of Ireland.
1990	Feasibility study commissioned into the re-opening of Lough Allen.
1990	Meelick Lock changed from manual operation to hydraulic.
24-Jan-91	Offaly Branch welcomes the OPW decision to examine the feasibility of restoring the Kilbeggan Line, Westmeath County Council's purchase of Kilbeggan Harbour the Kilbeggan Development Associations plans to restore the buildings at the harbour.
30-Jun-91	Athlone Branch organise special rally as part of Athlone's Tercentenary celebration.
27 July–3 Aug 1991	Shannon Rally visited the River Suck as far as Coreen Ford and Noel Tracey promised navigation to Ballinalsoe by 1994
03-Nov-91	Death of Bill Duggan, long-time exponent of the Barrow Navigation, author of Barrow Guide and founder and active Barrow Branch member for many years.
1991	OPW/CIE produced drawings for the railway culvert replacement at Newcomen Bridge.
1991	OPW announced plans to construct a Visitor Centre in Ringsend Basin
1991	EMDEE T.V.Waterways series started with Dick Warner as presenter.
1991	Department of the Environment provided local authorities with finance for pumpout facilities.
1991	Work on new harbour extensions at Terryglass and Banagher.
1991	Derg Branch carry out work on the Woodford River to encourage use of it by cruisers.
1991	With work underway on the Ballinamore & Ballyconnell Canal, the IWAI turns its attention to promoting the restoration of the Ulster Canal.
1991	Death of Denis McCartney who had for many years represented the Scarva Branch, who was, in fact, the Scarva Branch.
1991	New larger Guide to the River Barrow published by IWAI
1991	lncreasing number of private boats on the Shannon. New finger jetties at Dromineer and Mountshannon help to alleviate mooring problems and harbour works are planned for Terryglass and Banagher,
1991	Government makes finance available to local authorities to erect pump-out stations as part of the proposal to make holding tanks compulsory: pollution problems, especially on Lough Derg, intensify.
May-92	New Shannon Navigation by-laws come into force, including registration of boats, limited duration stay in public harbours an increased scale of charges and requirements in the construction of vessels.
20-21 June 1992	Largest ever gathering of canal boats and cruisers at Shannon Harbour to celebrate the 21st annual rally.
1992	Ulster Canal project at 8th lock to create a museum in Orr’s Linen Mills at Milltown spearheaded by Erskine Holmes.
1992	Restored waterbus Clonskeagh in demand on the Royal Canal.
1992	Minister Noel Tracey opened the enlarged Terryglass Harbour.
1992	Maureen Denham, typesetter of the Newsletter for many years retired. Jeremy Addis took over and Rank Xerox agreed to photocopy it free of charge.
1992	OPW publish the National Canals & Waterways Strategy prepared by Brady Shipman Martin.
1992	Erne Branch report representation of the nearly established Lough Erne Management Advisory Consultative Group, a government sponsored body to make recommendations about the future development of the Erne Navigation.
1992	Shannon Forum continues to meet focusing largely on the problem of flooding and the lack of co-ordination of the activities of the various statutory bodies involved.
1992	RCAG report that all the locks on the eastern end of the Royal Canal have now, been re-gated and dredging continues on the western end of the canal.
1992	Erne Branch becomes the Northern Ireland Branch to assist in the promotion of interest in canal restoration projects in Northern Ireland.
05-Mar-93	Des Leyden succeeded Damien Delaney as President.
05-Mar-93	Eddie Slane, presenting the RCAG report at the IWAI AGM, voices his fear that the replacement of the railway bridge below the 1st lock might not be achieved with all speed. He thanked Athlone Branch IWAI for its active support.
Apr-93	Rank Xerox agree to copy the newsletter free of charge.
Jun-93	OPW open the Waterways Visitor Centre in Ringsend Basin.
15-Jul-93	President Robinson declares the new pier, constructed by the Corrib Branch IWAI at Maam Bridge officially open.
31-Jul-93	Minister for Arts Culture & the Gaeltacht, Michael D. Higgins, announces the appointment of Ruth Delany to the National Heritage Council which advises the Minister on all heritage matters including, inland waterways.
20-Oct-93	Reprint by Athlone Branch of Green & Silver by Tom Rolt.
14-Dec-93	Newly formed Ulster Waterways Group is launched to promote waterways restoration in Northern Ireland
1993	Kilbeggan Development Association completed work on the canal stores and 50 people participate in a walk along the Kilbeggan Line. Dublin Branch IWAI assist Kilbeggan Harbour Restoration Group with funding for the canal stores project.
1993	Brady Shipman Martin National Canals & Waterways Strategy published.
1993	New edition of the Shell Guide to the Shannon published in full colour but without charts, which will be published separately.
1993	Breach in Grand Canal near Ticknevin caused by tunnel collapse.
1993	Clones Development Society purchases the old stores on the Ulster Canal for restoration assisted by funding from the International Fund for Ireland and the EU.
25 March 1994	Minister for Arts Culture & the Gaeltacht, Michael D. Higgins, Launches a new Corridor Study of the Grand Canal in the Dublin area from Ringsend to 12th lock. Study carried out by consultants, Brady Shipman Martin.
23-May-94	Official re-opening by Dick Spring and Sir Patrick Mayhew of the Ballinamore & Ballyconnell canal which is to be called the Shannon Erne Waterway.
27 May-5 June 1994	Erne Shannon Rally organised jointly by the Northern Ireland, Belturbet and Carrick branches of the IWAI to celebrate the reopening of the Shannon Erne Waterway. 160 boats
11-Oct-94	The Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, announces in the Dail that funding will be made available in this round of Structural Funding for the completion of the Royal Canal and tenders will he Sought Shortly for the replacement of Moran’s Bridge in Mullingar, the first of the culverts which have to be replaced.
1994	Royal Canal: dredging and lockgate installation proceeding at both east and west ends of the canal, but continued delays with Newcomen railway bridge led to cancellation of the Dublin Rally entering the Royal Canal.
1994	Operational Programme for Tourism 1994 – 1999 allocated £22 million for waterway restoration projects, subsequently reduced and some money reassigned.
1994	RCAG cancels it’s planned rally in April to mark the re-opening of the Royal Canal to the River Liffey because the railway culvert has not been replaced below 1st lock.
1994	IWAI representative, Colin Becker, becomes monthly contributor on inland waterway news to the radio programme Seascapes.
1994	Mary O'Rourke, Junior Minister in Department of Finance, launches new charts of the Shannon published by OPW.
23rd April 1995	Twinning ceremony with the Grand Union Canal, UK, Minister Michael D. Higgins unveiled a commemorative stone at Mespil Road.
10-May-95	Masonite Corporation get planning permission from Leitrim County Council to build a large fibre-board manufacturing factory near Drumsna on the River Shannon. IWAI conducted intense campaign against the building of the Masonite factory near Drumsna on the banks of the Shannon. An Bord Planala subsequently ignored its Inspector’s advice and granted permission.
1995	21 years since RCAG established. Royal Canal restored from River Liffey to Blanchardstown except for the Newcomen railway culvert.
1995	Barrow Branch declare 1995 to be "The Year of the Three Sisters" with special events on the Barrow, Note and Suir extending through the season from April
1995	Inland Skipper certification scheme launched.
1995	All boats to have holding tanks or chemical toilets by 1 April 1996.
1995	The Heritage Act 1995 transfers the Heritage Service within OPW , including the Waterways Service, to the Department of Arts, Culture & the GaeItacht.
1995	Continuing dredging works on the Barrow Navigation by OPW and a new slip is installed at Goresbridge.
1995	A Task Force is set up to implement one of the recommendations in the Grand Canal Corridor Study and a Regeneration Officer is appointed.
1995	Tenders are sought for the first phase of work on the restoration of the Tralee Ship Canal using EU Structural Funds. Also included amongst other works in this round of funding is the extension of the Boyle River, work on the Boyne and Corrib, work on the Limerick Navigation and other improvement works on the Shannon.
1995	Shannon Harbour Branch becomes involved in major improvement works in the harbour supported by the Waterways Service.
22-Jan-96	The Royal Canal Corridor Study is launched, carried out by R.P.S. Cairns for the Royal Canal corridor from the River Liffey to Kilcock. Remit of the Task Force extended to the Royal Canal.
29-Mar-96	Liam D’Arcy succeeded Des Leyden as President IWAI.
06-Apr-96	Minister for Arts, Culture & the Gaeltacht, Michael D. Higgins, declares The Lough Allen Canal open once more into Lough Allen through a new two-way lock near Drumsbanbo,
20 April-6 May 1996	Dublin Branch organise special Rally to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of Ringsend Docks
21-23 June 1996	25th Annual Shannon Harbour Canal Boat Rally, attended by 165 boats, the largest number ever seen in the harbour including 34 canal boats 12 of which are over 100 years old. visitors from Grand Union Canal attend and a signpost is unveiled registering 377 miles to Braunston.
26 -28 June 1996	An IWAI contingent attends the World Canals Conference in Birmingham and mounts a stand to promote Irish Waterways.
16-Aug-96	Death of James C.Brady, founder member and active member of the Belturbet Branch.
20-Nov-96	Shannon Forum meets to discuss the implications of the Bowman report Lough Ree - An Investigation of Eutrophication and its Causes which point to serious deterioration in water quality.
1996	Death of Mike Thomas who with his wife Heather had set up a boat hire firm near Tullamore which was so important in keeping traffic moving on the canal.
1996	Duchas Waterways announced that it is giving 4 ex-canal boats to communities at Clondalkin, Shannon Harbour and Athy on the Grand Canal system and at Killucan on the Royal Canal.
1996	Death of Peter Denham, founder member and secretary of the IWAI from 1955 until 1967 who, amongst other things, spearheaded the protest against Dublin Corporation’s plans to turn the Circular Line into a motorway in 1968 by mounting a picket outside the Mansion House.
1996	Visit by a number of narrowboats from the UK, with some of the owners electing to stay on and winter on the Irish waterways.
1996	North Barrow Branch revived.
19-25 March 1997	Boat Show adopts Inland Waterways Experience - Ireland's Best Kept Secret as the theme and IWAI assist in preparation of the main display.
1997	Death of Cynthia Rice, wife of the late Harry Rice, and active member of the IWAI particularly the Athlone Branch. She bequeathed “Dunrovin” to the Athlone Branch where the IWAI was first planned in the early 1950s.
1997	Work commenced on the new canal to Boyle to be completed by 1998.
1997	Work commenced on the Suck Navigation to Ballinasloe to be completed by 1999.
1997	Extensive works required at Ballymaglavy Bog on the Royal Canal costing £1.5 million.
1997	Community Employment schemes continue on the Grand Canal in the Clondalkin and Ballyfermot areas with technical and material assistance from the Waterways Service
1997	RCAG report that the Waterways Service have completed dredging the canal to Richmond Harbour except for a short stretch on the summit level.
1997	Kildare Branch continues its work on the excavation of the original side chambers of 16th lock on the Grand Canal.
1997	IWAI is accepted as having charitable status by the Revenue Commissioners.
1997	Des Leyden is appointed a Vice-Chairman of Inland Waterways International and secures Ireland as the venue for the World Canal Conference in 2001.
1997	The Rivers Agency Northern Ireland and the Waterways Service jointly commission a full feasibility study on the Ulster Canal to be carried out by ESBI and Ferguson and McIlveen.
1997	The Zebra mussel, an introduced aquatic pest, reported in large numbers on Lough Derg on the River Shannon.
Feb-98	The Ulster Waterways Group and the Lough Neagh & River Bann Association accept affiliation to the IWAI.
17-Mar-98	Offaly Branch revives the Tullamore-based rally to commemorate the bicentenary of the arrival of the Grand Canal in Tullamore.
May-98	Ruth Heard retired as editor of the Newsletter and was replaced by Brian Goggin.
Jun-98	Lough Neagh & River Bann Association held a rally.
1998	Derek Whelan established Leisureways Holidays, hire boat firm, at Thomastown on the Royal Canal.
1998	Ulster Waterways Group held a conference on the Future of N.I.’s Inland Waterways.
1998	9th Lock, Clondalkin on the Grand Canal developed structural problems but Dublin Rally went ahead lifting the boats out and re-launching them.
1998	Death of George O’Brien Kennedy. His wife Christine died in 1994. They had been one of the first to offer boats for hire on the Shannon.
1998	Barrow boat hire firms publish a joint brochure Pleasure Cruising on the River Barrow.
1998	Saoirse an Uisce project launched for people with disabilities.
1998	Canal Communities Environmental Group formed to improve the Grand Canal in Clondalkin area.
1998	IWAI and the Irish Sailing Association launch a Boat-handling scheme leading to a certificate of competency for boat-handling on non-tidal waters.
1998	RCAG report that work on the infamous railway bridge at Whitworth Road has at last commenced but the Croke Park works will make any re-opening of the canal through Dublin impossible until 2000. Work, on Moran’s Bridge in Mullingar is nearing completion and extensive works have been carried out on the bog stretches between Ballinacargy and Abbeyshrule.
1998	Representatives of the IWAI attend a one-day seminar in Tullamore organised by the Heritage Council to discuss the future development of the Irish waterways.
04-Apr-99	RCAG celebrated 25 years with a rally from 12th lock to Abbeyshrule attended by some Wilderness boats from the UK.
1999	Dublin Angling Initiative to promote fishing on the Grand Canal and Royal Canal in the Dublin area.
1999	Heritage Council conducted a consultation process, held a seminar and published a Policy Paper, The Future of Ireland’s Inland Waterways. - Tá Leagan Gaeile le fáiil chomh maith.
1999	Lough Derg and Lough Ree Catchment Monitoring & Management set up by the local authorities.
1999	Colin Becker succeeded Liam D’Arcy as President.
1999	Save our Lough Derg (SOLD), environmental group formed.
1999	Athy dry dock refurbished.
1999	Grand Canal Liaison Group formed by Offaly and Kildare county councils with a Regeneration Officer.
1999	North/South Inland Waterways Implementation Body established under the “Good Friday” agreement to be implemented on a phased basis.
1999	Work began on the works in Limerick – new weir and gates to be fitted on sea lock to create greater tidal window by retaining water in the Abbey River.
1999	IWAI sets up website: www.iwai.ie - You can see what our front page looked like at the end of March 1999 by clicking on the image at right.
1999	Death of Eddie Slane who, together with Ian Bath, was responsible for the great success of the RCAG.
1999	Ulster Waterways Group held its 2nd Conference focussing on Lough Neagh.
1999	Des Leyden elected Chairman of Inland Waterways International.
	1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, Recent Activities

IWAI - Chronology Compiled by Ruth Delany

IWAI - Chronology
Compiled by Ruth Delany