Dergie Says Welcome
Hi, my name's Dergie and i'm here to help you have a super holiday on Lough Derg, in Ireland's Shannon Region.
As you know Limerick city on the River Shannon is part of the navigable waterway and the main access to Lough Derg.
In this section, you will find information on navigating through Limerick.
Regards Dergie
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Navigating from Lough Derg to Limerick.
For more experienced boat owners on Lough Derg waters who want to venture further downstream to Limerick and possibly beyond to the Shannon Estuary, a new navigation system in Limerick is in place which makes it much easier to do so.
Indeed, this same system also greatly facilitates those who may be in the Shannon Estuary and would like to venture upriver to Lough Derg and beyond along the River Shannon.
In addition, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) has made some boat-handling improvements to the locks at its hydro-electric power plant at Ardnacrusha, Co. Clare.
With proper preparation and planning, it is now possible for the majority of boats to journey between Lough Derg and Limerick City without too much trouble. It is advisable to consult with the ESB and local users prior to making the voyage between Limerick and Killaloe
For those thinking of make the trip in either direction, it would be well worthwhile to consult a detailed guide entitled ‘City Cruising: Navigating the Killaloe – Limerick Waterway’ by Edgar Heenan, published by ‘Afloat’ boating magazine in conjunction with Waterways Ireland, Shannon Development and Limerick City Council. To download a copy of the guide, click on Info Downloads and scroll to City Cruising: Navigating the Killaloe – Limerick Waterway.
This guide provides crucial advice and information, as the water levels and currents between Ardnacrusha and Limerick can vary widely.
It points out a number of key requirements in making the boat journey, such as the need to book ahead for your passage through the locks at Ardnacrusha with the ESB. The telephone number of the Lock-keeper is: +353 (0) 87 9970131 or you can contact +353 (0) 61 344515 for further information.
As part of the new navigation system is tidal, you should also be aware of the times of high water in Limerick.
This guide specifies what is involved in the different stretches of the river journey, including:
• Killaloe to Parteen Weir
• Parteen Weir to Ardnacrusha
• Ardnacrusha to Tailrace exit
• Tailrace exit to Abbey River/Bridge and through Limerick
• Limerick to Shannon Estuary
Copies of the guide are also available from Waterways Ireland (see Links) or from local Tourist Information Offices in each area.
