A long sleep
The canal has been in a long slumber since its closure.
Nowadays, ownership in the Republic is in the hands of Monaghan County Council, whereas in Northern Ireland it was sold to farmers who wished to buy up their adjoining section.
Although it has been closed since 1931, much of the canal is still in good order. Many of the original acqueducts remain and all the beautiful lock-keeper's cottages survive. However, a ten mile stretch has been filled in and some of the original hump-back bridges have been replaced with low level structures.