Waterways Ireland have invited tenders for the purchase of surplus barges.

The boats are in various locations -

95E Tullamore Harbour, Sunken Barge

92E Tullamore Harbour, Sunken Barge

79M Tullamore Harbour, Afloat. Dredging Barge with Atlas Crane

90E Tullamore Harbour, Afloat. Accommodation Work-barge

32M Tullamore Harbour, Afloat. Barge Hull

31M Lowtown, Co.Kildare, Afloat. Barge Hull

77M Fenniscourt , Co Carlow, On land. Dredging Barge with Crane

33M Thomastown, Co. Westmeath, Afloat. Dredging Barge with Crane

“Fox” Roosky Dry Dock, Afloat. Former Shannon Workboat

All are being sold via the e-tenders website etenders.gov.ie. The tender number is 80539.

It is in the Association's interest that every effort is made to save these boats and therefore the more people (members or not) who are aware of the situation, the better. A meeting is arranged for the afternoon of the EOS/SOS in Athlone (30th December) at 5pm in "Gertie Brownes" Pub which is close to the Prince of Wales Hotel so people can judge for themselves the interest levels and the mechanics of submitting an offer.

A discussion on this site's forum would be welcome, but people should also contact the Association's Chair, Joe Treacy, to express their interest. Details are on the Contact Us page.

This situation regarding the hulls has been slow to develop but is now upon us and positive action is needed to save them.

Histories of these boats may be found on this website in the Vessels section, as well as in the books Cool Metal - Clear Water and Fine Lines - Clear Water (available from IWAI shop).

Click on images to view (slightly) larger size.

31M (1925) - Lowtown

32E (32M) (1926) - Tullamore

33M (1927) - Thomastown

90E (69M) (1936) - Tullamore

77M (1937) - Fenniscourt

Photo © J. Burke, via IWAI

79M (1939) - Tullamore

92E (1905) - Tullamore

95E (1895) - Tullamore

Fox (113B) (1937) - Rooskey