The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland

We represent the views of members to governments (NI & RoI), to the cross-border navigation authority Waterways Ireland, to local authorities and other bodies whose activities impinge on the waterways in one way or another.

Our branches are active in restoration & improvement activities with The Ulster Canal, Lagan Navigation, Coalisland Canal, Boyne Navigation and the Kilbeggan and Corbally lines of the Grand Canal.

Inland Waterways News (IWN) is a unique magazine covering a wide range of topics of interest to waterways enthusiasts at local, national and international level.   It is published quarterly by IWAI and mailed directly to members.

The IWAI has 24 branches across the whole Island of Ireland (7 in Northern Ireland, 16 in the Republic and 1 activity based branch) whose activities include boat rallies, power boating, social events, training events and heritage & conservation projects.

Our boat rallies are annual events and very popular! These include the Dublin rally in the spring, The Shannon Rally, Lough Derg, Lough Erne & Shannon Harbour rallies in the summer and the Naas rally in the Autumn.

There are many opportunities for members to get involved – whether it’s helping us with campaigning, getting involved in working parties or offering your professional skills to the Association.

Ireland’s waterways consist of over 1000km of navigable lakes, rivers and canals – from Limerick to Enniskillen, to Dublin and Waterford and separate waterways including Lough Corrib and Lough Neagh.

View our maps, guides & safety information for the navigations.

IWAI Charts are exclusive to members and offer the most comprehensive and up-to-date navigation charts covering the inland waterways on the island of Ireland, aiming to make the waterways safer and more enjoyable.

Sign-up to IWAI Charts here!

Our “Nav-Watch” special interest group gathers first-hand information from boaters which is categorised & shared to assist Waterways Ireland in planning their resources and maintenance work.

Here you will find an introduction to who we are, what we do, our goals and how we are organised.

In our document library you will find all policy documents including our Organisational & Administrative policies, Executive reports, Branch Officers Handbook, Safety Guides and our Constitution.

Information on our executive officers, committee members and the IWAI Council

Keep an eye open for our news and press releases here.

A brief history of the IWAI organised by decade including all past presidents & officers who have served since formation in 1954.

We celebrate 25 years of being online with a look-back through our archives, which contains previous Canal Legislation campaigns & IWAI photo and video galleries.