Publications
This is the Inland Waterways publications section. Here you can find all publications, reports and presentations for this heritage area of interest.
Climate change, impacts & vulnerability in Europe (2012)
This European Environment Agency (EEA) report presents information on past and projected climate change and related impacts in Europe, based on a range of indicators. The report also assesses the vulnerability of society, human health and ecosystems in Europe and identifies those regions in Europe most at risk from climate change.
View the summary report on Climate change, impacts & vulnerability in Europe (2012) [pdf 6.7mb]
Our Wetlands Heritage (2010)
Published by Irish Wildlife Trust, with support from the Heritage Council. The island of Ireland is famous for its wet climate. We receive more rain than can be evaporated from the surface, which maintains our many kinds of wetland; marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, turloughs, salt marshes, estuaries, lagoons and wet woodland carr are just some of the wetland types, each with its own ecosystem which are outlined in this publication.
Recreational Use of Towpaths (2009)
Ireland has a vast network of river and canal towpaths. No longer used for their original purpose, they nevertheless provide a range of opportunities for city and rural dwellers, for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the natural and built heritage of our waterways for recreation and exercise.
This report is published by the Heritage Council in response to a need that was identified by the Council’s Standing Committee on Inland Waterways. The purpose is to provide guidance and hopefully inspiration on best practice to those who are involved in the development of waterway towpaths for recreation.
Climate Change, Heritage & Tourism: Implications for Ireland's Coast & Inland Waterways (2009)
The Heritage Council & Fáilte Ireland commissioned this review in order to better inform policy, research and grant support. The main finding of this review is that the heritage of the coast is at particular risk, and that this will impact upon tourism-related activities. Our inland waterways will also be affected by changes in precipitation patterns, flooding, increased water pollution and extreme weather events. The report examines the potential impacts and indirect impacts on heritage from adaptation responses such as flood relief schemes, and renewable energy generation.
Download Climate Change, Heritage & Tourism report[PDF 6MB].
Download Climate Change, Heritage & Tourism Summary (En) [PDF 2MB].
Download Climate Change, Heritage & Tourism Summary (Ga)[PDF 2MB].
Shannon Waterway Seminar - Proceedings (2008)
In November 2008, the Heritage Council hosted a seminar to progress the work of its Shannon Waterway Corridor Studies and to explore ways for all agencies involved in management of the River Shannon to work together.
View Summary of Shannon Seminar Presentation [PDF 748KB].
View individual presentations from the seminar in PDF format here >
Towpaths for the Future: Seminar Proceedings (2007)
The Heritage Council hosted a seminar on the use of towpaths at the Tullamore Court Hotel on 20th June 2007. The purpose of this seminar was to stimulate debate and ideas about the potential of Ireland’s towpaths, including maintenance paths on river navigations, and to examine their economic, recreational, tourism, and heritage potential. The proceedings of the seminar are provided in this publication.
The speakers examined the uses made of towpaths in the UK and in Ireland. Topics included the example of the regeneration of the Thames Navigation, the economic value of towpath activities, walking for health, access for all, anti-social behaviour, and current and future activities on towpaths in Ireland. It is hoped that, by presenting a range of experiences from these islands, new ideas may be stimulated for existing and future navigations in Ireland.
View Towpaths for the Future: Seminar Proceedings [PDF 2.4MB].
View individual presentations from the seminar in PDF format here >
A Guide to Habitats in Ireland (2007)
Published by the Heritage Council, 2007 (original published in 2000). This publication sets out a standard scheme for identifying, describing and classifying wildlife habitats in Ireland. It also covers natural, semi-natural and artificial habitats of terrestrial and freshwater environments, of inshore marine waters, and of urban and rural areas.
The classification is presented within a hierarchical framework and is designed for application at a variety of different levels in terms of scale, detail and user expertise. It is intended as a first-step approach for general habitat recording rather than a basis for detailed study and evaluation. The availability and widespread use of a standard classification scheme is important in helping to standardise data collection on habitats which, in turn, will assist in the management and conservation of Ireland's natural heritage.
Please note that the 2007 reprint contains Notes to Readers - this includes additional information on the links between a number of Irish habitats and EU annexed habitats.
Audit of Maritime Collections (2006)
This audit was commissioned by the Heritage Council in July 2005, with the aim of assisting the conservation of Ireland’s boating heritage in both the maritime and inland waterway communities.
The Future of Maritime & Inland Waterways Collections (2006)
Read about the proceedings of this seminar, held in Athlone in 2006, on Ireland’s maritime and inland waterways boating heritage.
Download The Future of Maritime & Inland Waterways Collections (2006)[PDF 2.7MB]
Literature Review on Boat Wash (2006)
This publication present a literature review on the impacts of boat wash on the heritage of Ireland's inland waterways.
Shannon Waterway Corridor Studies (2006)
The Heritage Council has produced five Shannon Waterway Corridor Studies, covering the whole length of the River Shannon between 2002-06. Together, these studies provide the most comprehensive account - over 1,850 pages - of the Shannon’s strengths and weaknesses, of the opportunities for development and of the threats to the Shannon’s unique appeal. This document provides an overview of some of the key findings of those studies.
Waterways Corridor Studies (2002-2006)
Together the studies total over 1,850 pages of research, analysis and recommendations for the sustainable development of the Shannon and sections of the Grand and Royal Canals. Access is provided to the report documents, valuable baseline surveys of the ecological, archaeological/ architectural heritage of the Shannon, as well as planning and socio-economic and landscape documents, and the original study maps.
Click here to view Waterways Corridor Studies documents & maps >
Integrating Policies for Ireland's Inland Waterways (2005)
This policy paper has been written in the light of heritage policy developments (the National Heritage Plan and the National Biodiversity Plan) and the establishment of Waterways Ireland. Not withstanding these welcome developments, Ireland’s inland waterways and their corridors still urgently need a strategic approach. This document proposes a possible direction for a concerted and coordinated effort to ensure that the heritage, social, and economic value of all of Ireland’s waterways is enhanced.
Download Integrating Policies for Ireland's Inland Waterways (En) here [PDF 6.6MB].
Download Integrating Policies for Ireland's Inland Waterways (Gg) here [PDF 5MB].
Submission on Upper Shannon Tax Incentive Scheme (2005)
This report provides a detailed assessment of the impact that the ‘Pilot’ Rural Renewal Tax Scheme for the Upper Shannon Area has had on lands adjacent to the River Shannon and hence the heritage of the River Shannon.
View Submission on Upper Shannon Tax Incentive Scheme [PDF 494KB].
Seeking Your Views on Ireland`s Water Quality: Report on Feedback (2004)
The Heritage Council identified the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive as a major work area with particular emphasis on the public participation aspects. To assist in developing policy, Council agreed to canvass opinion on current water quality and current and future water management proposals.
This document is a record of the feedback to the consultation document and the seminar of 18th October 2003 and represents the views of the respondents expressed in writing or during the workshop and plenary sessions.
View Seeking Your Views on Ireland's Water Quality: Report on Feedback [PDF ].
Irish Water (2003)
This publication provides an overview of the threats to Ireland's water and the steps we can take to protect and manage our water in more sustainable ways.
Invasive Alien Species in County Meath
This presentation details the invasive species of plants, animals and mollusks discovered in County Meath.
Download Invasive Alien Species in County Meath [PDF 1.8MB].
Proposals for the Future of Ireland's Inland Waterways (1999)
This consultation document was the first stage in the Council’s process of proposing an integrated policy for Ireland’s inland waterways to Government that incorporates a co-ordinated strategic approach to their future development. With the changing function of the waterways from commercial navigations to recreational use, the Council sees the need to promote a broad-based approach to the management of this aspect of our heritage resource.
Download Proposals for the Future of Ireland's Inland Waterways here [PDF 164KB].
Download Consultative Document on the Future of Ireland's Inland Waterways here [PDF 341KB].