Shannon-Erne Waterway

Birth of the Shannon-Erne Waterway

Canal and Flyboat

This is an illustration of a canal in Ireland around 1833. It originally appeared in the book 'Ireland: Its Scenery, Character and History', by Mr and Mrs S.C. Hall.

Canal and Flyboat

Canal and Flyboat

This is an illustration of a canal in Ireland around 1833. It originally appeared in the book 'Ireland: Its Scenery, Character and History', by Mr and Mrs S.C. Hall.

Enlarge image

The Shannon-Erne Waterway began as the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell canal in 1846, after four years of planning. It was built to provide a link between the River Shannon to the south and the River Erne to the north. At one time, 7,000 men were given employment working on the canal, providing immense relief to people during the Famine years.

Trade and Transport

The Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal was important to local trade and transport in Leitrim.

Steam Train

Photograph of a steam train, Three Arch Bridge, Drumshanbo.

Leitrim County Library

Steam Train
Leitrim County Library

Steam Train

Photograph of a steam train, Three Arch Bridge, Drumshanbo.

Leitrim County Library

Enlarge image

Coal mined from the hills in Leitrim was transported on boats along the canal to Limerick. Merchants used it to transport goods, stopping at all the major towns along the route of the Shannon.

Unfortunately, by the time the canal was fully completed in 1860, the railways had taken over much of the trade transportation. The railway system was a lot faster and cheaper than the canal. For this reason, the canal gradually fell into decline. Maintenance activity ceased, and by the late 1870s the operations of the canal had come to an end. It was left to deteriorate further over the following 100 years.

The Canal Today

Cruisers on the Canal
Leitrim County Library

The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) launch a campaign to re-open the canal.

Many thought the canal could easily be used as a pleasure waterway for tourists and locals travelling on the Shannon. In 1994, after many years of repair work, the canal was opened to the public.