The canal comeback
Since the turn of the millenium, canals all over Europe are being restored and reopened as people realise their potential for leisure based activities and the way they contribute to the improvement of the areas they run through.
The simple fact that the Ulster Canal would offer a new, attractive route through an area of Ireland which has underdeveloped tourism is reason enough for many to rebuild the waterway. Jobs would result from the inevitable boost in tourism and the natural environment would be improved by the renewal of filled-in stretches of waterway and the restoration of battered old locks.
There is a six mile corridor either side of the canal with a population of 100,000. Large towns included in this are Armagh City, Dungannon, Monaghan and Clones.
The future
Considering all of these benefits, the two governments finally agreed on a plan. At the North/South Ministerial Council meeting on 17 July 2007, it was announced that the Governments would jointly invest £30m in the partial re-development of the County Monaghan stretch of the canal.
This political support looks like the crucial first step in the possible completion of the Ulster Canal. As a symbol of the a new co-operative relationship between North and South, the Ulster Canal is beautifully fitting.
This political support looks like the crucial first step in the possible completion of the Ulster Canal. As a symbol of the a new co-operative relationship between North and South, the Ulster Canal is beautifully fitting.