Boating enthusiasts looking for a bargain were in Shannon Harbour in County Offaly today to place a bid on derelict and abandoned vessels.
The boats were removed from canals and rivers by Waterways Ireland as part of a clean-up operation last year and are on public display.
Anna Maria, Saoirse and Róisín were just some of the pre-loved boats on display and looking for a new lease of life. Some have been neglected for years with nobody coming forward to claim them.
There was 16 boats being auctioned by Waterways Ireland and they included sailing vessels, speedboats and motor cruisers in various states of disrepair.
Waterways Ireland Inspector of Navigation, Paddy Harkin, said: "Waterways Ireland is committed to protecting the conservation of our waterways and ensuring the navigations are accessible to all users, therefore removing derelict boats from the waterways is crucial."
Now the vessels have been removed from rivers, lakes and canals around Ireland in the hope that people with the time, interest and money will help put them back on the water again.
These boats are being offered for sale to the highest bidder and the money raised will go towards new boating facilities.
Previous offers have ranged from €50 to €8,000 with sales averaging around the €2,000 mark.
Waterways Ireland holds an auction when they have sufficient boats to sell. The last big one took place in Athlone in July 2021 when 32 boats were put for sale and there has been one small auction since.
The level of interest in rebuilding and refurbishing old boats has been described as a steadily growing pastime along with the increased popularity of boating holidays.
The boats were available for inspection between 11am and 3pm at Shannon Harbour, Co Offaly.
