Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin, alongside Waterways Ireland, were in Clones on Wednesday (19 June) to officially open Phase 2 of the Ulster Canal redevelopment project, following a more than €20 million investment.

The redevelopment project was carried out by Waterways Ireland, the navigational authority for the navigable inland waterways, from August 2022 to June of this year, completing the restoration of 1.5km of the Ulster Canal in Co Monaghan from Clones to Clonfad.

Its completion comes nearly two years after then Taoiseach Micheál Martin laid the foundation stone for the project in Clones.

Phase 2 includes a new marina in Clones and 1km of restored canal and towpath with a looped walk and an amenity area including parking, a service block, picnic area, performance space and bus/trailer spaces, on the route of the 180-year-old Ulster Canal.

The vision for Clones Marina, agreed following public consultation, is a marina that safely links the wider waterway and greenway network into the heart of Clones town and its heritage, providing a memorable and unique gateway to Co Monaghan and the border region.

The investment saw the creation of 80 new construction jobs throughout this second phase of development, with the newly launched amenities supporting an enhanced number of tourist and hospitality opportunities, which Waterways Ireland says demonstrates its commitment to supporting the local economy.

Commenting on the opening of Phase 2 of the restoration of the Ulster Canal, Waterways Ireland chief executive John McDonagh said: “Waterways Ireland’s purpose is to be the custodian of the inland navigations and collaborate to reimagine, maintain, develop and promote them to sustain communities, environment and heritage.

“Through the Ulster Canal restoration, we aim to build a brighter future where the waterway plays an inspirational role in the lives of the local community and offers exciting opportunities for local businesses.

“I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has helped us reach this happy juncture — in particular I would like to thank the Waterways Ireland project team and contractor Jons Engineering for their commitment, energy and support in delivering this impressive project in 22 months.

“We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that the next phase of the restoration of the Ulster Canal, between Clonfad and Castle Saunderson, is completed to enable accessibility from Clones to the Erne System and onwards to the wider waterways network across Ireland.”

Prior to the completion of Phase 2, works relating to Phase 1 were completed in 2019 at a cost of €4.2million which saw 2.5km of new navigation from Upper Lough Erne along the River Finn to a new boating destination in Co Cavan.

Dredging of the River Finn was completed in 2016 and a short new lateral canal together with a new navigation arch were completed in Autumn 2018, while a new floating jetty was installed at Castle Saunderson in October 2019.

Looking ahead, Phase 3 of the restoration of the Ulster Canal is expected to be completed by 2029 at a cost of €80 million, subject to funding.

In the interim, Waterways Ireland intends to use the on-water and off-water infrastructure at Clones “to offer amenity and recreational activities for the public good”. In particular, a Visitor Experience Plan is under way to create attractive visitor experiences at Clones Marina.

Once completed, Phase 3 which will connect the 10km between Clonfad and Castle Saunderson, linking the town of Clones by navigable waterway to the Erne System and onward to the wider waterway network.

To ensure that the Tullamore Regeneration Framework and Grand Canal Harbour Masterplan meets the aspirations of the whole community the team behind the project would like to hear from all stakeholders within the local community of Tullamore.

The Tullamore Regeneration Framework and Grand Canal Harbour Masterplan are available for inspection in the offices of Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Tullamore Municipal District, Tullamore Library during normal office hours until Thursday 11 July. An open day will also be held in Tullamore Library this Thursday 20 June from 12pm to 7pm.

Jointly commissioned by Waterways Ireland and Offaly County Council, the Tullamore Regeneration Framework aims “to serve as a model for regeneration, promoting compact growth, creating healthy and appealing public spaces, enhancing urban resilience, improving permeability, fostering vibrancy and encouraging sustainable mobility”.

The multi-disciplinary consultancy team in Brady Shipman Martin and Faulkner Browns delivered the framework to act as a main driver for compact mixed-use urban development within the town centre of Tullamore and seeks to establish a vision for the development of several key opportunity sites.

Grafton Architects, as the appointed consultancy team, have culminated their assessment of the study area in a masterplan that reimagines the harbour area through a catalogue of scaled development opportunities.

The masterplan study area also includes the Grand Canal harbour and adjacent lands, the Canal Spur Line enabling access into the harbour basin, and Young’s Store — a three-storey former warehouse with an approximate floor area of 275 square metres fronting the canal along Convent Road.

Anna Marie Delaney, chief executive of Offaly County Council welcomes submissions on the plans: “The Tullamore Regeneration Framework and Grand Canal Harbour Masterplan provide immense opportunity to Tullamore and the wider county to reimagine and reinvigorate the county town. The plans address the opportunities and challenges within Tullamore and with URDF support creates opportunities for future projects in the town.”

Éanna Rowe, operations controller with Waterways Ireland noted the significant milestone being reached with this consultation stage in finalising the masterplan.

“Waterways Ireland, as the navigation authority with responsibility for the Grand Canal and Harbour in Tullamore, is looking forward to the realisation of the masterplan’s vision and that its adoption will provide a framework and template for the full integration of the harbour into the fabric of Tullamore,” Rowe said.

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed Tullamore Regeneration Framework and Grand Canal Harbour Masterplan Framework may be made in writing to Tullamore Municipal District, Town Hall, Cormac Street, Tullamore or submitted via email to [email protected] on or before Thursday 25 July.

Further information is available from Jean Ryan, A/Director of Services, Offaly County Council via email at [email protected].

The Tullamore Regeneration Framework and Grand Canal Harbour Masterplan are funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund 2020 (URDF) and Offaly County Council with funding from Waterways Ireland for the Grand Canal Harbour Masterplan.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal that the 51st IWAI Shannon Harbour Rally will take place from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 June.

All vessels entering the Grand Canal are reminded to ensure they have a valid permit for the duration of their stay, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Visitor permits may be applied for on the Waterways Ireland website by completing the CMP application. Please ensure that the permit start date is correct as the permit will be valid for one month from this date.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Royal Canal feeder in Mullingar that the towpath between the Royal Canal and St Oliver Plunkett GAA Club is closed until Monday 1 July inclusive.

This closure is to facilitate new culvert construction underneath the Royal Canal supply channel.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it regrets any inconvenience that this may cause and thanks its customers for their co-operation in relation to this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Jons Civil Engineering will be carrying out works on Carrick-on-Shannon bridge on Friday 7 and Monday 10 June.

Navigation will be restricted to one arch of the bridge and masters of vessels should proceed with additional caution in the area, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Tarmonbarry’s lifting bridge on the Shannon Navigaton has finally reopened after an extended closure for essential maintenance, Waterways Ireland has confirmed.

Diversions had been in place since early February when the bridge in Co Roscommon was closed for works that eventually required procuring specialist parts from abroad.

The news will come as a relief to southern Shannon boaters who say they have been prevented from participating in rallies in northern reaches due to the closure.

“This has had disastrous consequences for boating on the Shannon so far this season,” one boater told Afloat.ie in recent days. “To date [there has been] very little activity on Lough Ree as boats cannot get down from Carrick, etc, nor can the southern boats make it up north.”

Elsewhere on the inland waterways, Levitstown lifting bridge in Co Kildare on the Barrow Navigation has also reopened following maintenance works.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels using the Grand Canal from Lowtown in Co Kildare to Shannon Harbour that water patrollers will assist with the operation of locks daily from 9.30am to 6pm during the boating season.

Safe passage through locks outside these hours will be the responsibility of the master of the vessel, and they must ensure the lock gates are left as found, with the water pressure on the breast gates.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Erne System that the 2024 Erne Boat Rally will be taking place from Friday 24 to Monday 27 May.

Boaters taking part with gather at Lisnaskea Boat Club on Friday evening for the Commodore’s Dinner and entertainment.

On Saturday morning (25 May), the rally will leave Lisnaskea Boat Club at 10.30am for an afternoon stop at the Round ‘O’ Jetty Enniskillen. All other boaters are advised that the outside front jetty section will be reserved for the rally boats.

At 4.30pm on Saturday the rally departs for an overnight stop at Lough Erne Yacht Club.

Then on Sunday (26 May), the boats will depart at 4pm for an overnight stop and entertainment at Rossharbour Resort.

On Monday morning (27 May). the rally will depart at 11am for a lunch stop at the Round ‘O’ and then move onwards to The Moorings restaurant for the prize-giving and closing entertainment.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises that the Carlow Regatta rowing event will take place on Sunday 2 June on the Barrow Navigation.

Masters of vessels are requested to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the event and obey safety boat instructions.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Royal Canal between Leixlip and Maynooth that cycleway upgrade works have recently restarted along this stretch of the canal in Co Kildare.

These works will require periodic closures of the canal towpaths in the area over the upcoming period. Signage giving more details of ongoing and upcoming closures will be erected at applicable sites along the route when appropriate.

Navigation passage will generally continue to be possible throughout works though some additional restrictions may apply, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Upgrade works recently commenced at the Dublin city end of the canal, between the North Strand and Phibsborough, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.