Contact IWAI's PRO, Tommy McLoughlin at "pro @ iwai.ie"http://www.iwai.ie/forum/list.php?2Thu, 17 May 2012 03:46:08 +0100 Phorum 5.2.6a http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,36749,36749#msg-36749 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,36749,36749#msg-36749
Announcement by RNLI to establish inland rescue station on Lough Ree

Greg Whelan, President of the IWAI warmly welcomed the decision by the RNLI to establish a Lifeboat Station on Lough Ree. This has been the result of a long campaign by the Athlone Branch of the IWAI and the national executive of the IWAI to seek formal lifeboat rescue services on Lough Ree. The IWAI through its Athlone Branch and the annual Shannon Rally have been active campaigners and fund raisers for the RNLI for a number of years.

The decision by the RNLI provides for the first time a dedicated and resourced professional rescue service to the many users including boat owners, hirers and the significant number of anglers who use the Lough Ree on a regular basis.]]> Gregory Whelan IWAI Press ReleasesFri, 04 Nov 2011 11:04:58 +0000 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,30272,30272#msg-30272 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,30272,30272#msg-30272
Saturday 30th April from 8am to 4pm, journeying from Blanchardstown to Phibsboro. There is a Reception at Shandon Gardens, Phibsboro from 4pm

This marks the 50th Anniversary of the Royal Canal closing to navigation by commercial and leisure traffic in 1961, by the return to Dublin of Heritage Boat, FLOAT NO. 3 (built c. 1870), an original horse drawn Royal Canal trading boat.

IWAI is also commemorating the 65th Anniversary of LTC Rolt's voyage and subsequent book, Green & Silver, by encouraging leisure traffic from The Shannon to Dublin and back along the Royal and Grand Canal's, through the offer of a plaque and certificate to each boat which completes the Green & Silver Route

Making the current journey are a number of Shannon and UK based vessels and the heritage sailing barge Ebenhaezer.

Dublin Branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.

Phizzfest – Phibsboro Community Festival
Come along and see the event, music by the Finglas Concert and Marching Band
Highlight the opening of the Royal Canal
This event marks the opening of the Royal Canal into Dublin from the river Shannon. October 1st, 2010 saw the official re-opening of the Royal Canal at Richmond Harbour, Clondra. This was a truly welcome development and long awaited by those interested in the Irish Waterways – the 36-year restoration campaign is very well documented in Ruth Delany and Ian Bath’s Ireland's Royal Canal, 1789-2009 published late last year.
This flotilla has made the journey from the Shannon to Dublin and will return via the Grand Canal. In an effort to encourage people to make the circular journey, the Dublin Branch of the IWAI has commissioned certificates & commemorative plaques to be awarded to vessels completing the route. We’ve taken the liberty of naming the route the Green & Silver route. Tom Rolt was the first to document a successful transit of the route in his book Green & Silver, a book which had such a positive influence on the development of the Irish waterways. The name Green & Silver also echoes the mixed urban & rural nature of the route.]]> Gregory Whelan IWAI Press ReleasesFri, 29 Apr 2011 15:33:32 +0100 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,26507,26507#msg-26507 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,26507,26507#msg-26507
Paul Garland]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesMon, 03 Jan 2011 23:26:45 +0000 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,17316,17316#msg-17316 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,17316,17316#msg-17316
OBE Award for IWAI immediate past President Brian Cassells.

The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) extends congratulations to the immediate past President of the IWAI, Mr Brian Cassells, who has been awarded an OBE in the New Years Honours List.

Brian was recommended for this award for services to the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, an all-Ireland voluntary association. Brian has for years represented the aims of IWAI as a respected voice lobbying and advising national and local government authorities as well as other bodies on many matters related to waterways development. Brian is immediate past President of the IWAI and is currently a member of the IWAI National Executive. Brian also played a key role in promoting the Ulster Canal Restoration Project and is current Chairman of the Lough Neagh Advisory Committee. The OBE is a great recognition for all his tireless work, efforts, campaigning and achievements, supported by his wife Maree.

Brian has said that he is "delighted" to be awarded an OBE, in the 2010 New Year Honours List.

Born on the shores of Lough Neagh, he is married with two daughters. He is an avid local historian and has researched and written widely on inland navigations and on other aspects of local history. He was until retiring a few years ago Headmaster of King’s Park Primary School in Lurgan. He was secretary of Craigavon Historical Society for many years and still serves on the committee. He is currently Chairman of the local museum committee where he has embarked on an ambitious plan to establish a waterways museum at Oxford Island.


IWAI is a voluntary body of waterways enthusiasts, founded in 1954. It was formed to promote the development, use and maintenance of Ireland's navigable rivers and canals. When the Shannon was almost totally undeveloped for pleasure boating, the IWAI contested the building of low bridges, thus helping ensure the development of the river as a national asset for waterways tourism. Later the IWAI successfully prevented the threatened closure of the Grand Canal in Dublin. The IWAI has worked to assist the improvement of the Barrow and to focus interest and activity on the restoration of the Royal Canal, the river Boyne, the Kilbeggan Line of the Grand Canal, the Ulster Canal the Newry canal and other closed navigations. The IWAI is the respected voice of the waterways, represented by 20 branches of the organisation, comprising thousands of members. The IWAI has experience working with national and local government, statutory agencies and development bodies, and the community, voluntary and business sectors, lobbying and advising protect and promote the long term development of the waterways. [www.iwai.ie]

Brian may be contacted at 0044 (0) 777 881 2264


John Dolan

IWAI PRO

2 January 2010]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesSat, 02 Jan 2010 19:35:38 +0000 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15761,15761#msg-15761 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15761,15761#msg-15761IWAI PRESS RELEASE 18/02/09
The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) at the 2009 Boat Show
The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) will be in attendance in the main exhibition space at stand D19 at the Allianz Dublin Boat Show which takes place at the RDS Simmonscourt from today the 18th to Sunday the 22nd February 2009.

The IWAI stand will feature multi media presentations, a full merchandising section, a training section, member's information and a number of boat show specials including IWAI branded life jackets.

Combining old with new, the IWAI stand will also feature a newly restored bolinder barge engine, one of only three working bolinder barge engines in the country.

IWAI will present a number of talks and lectures during the show on inland boating, training and waterways restoration and heritage topics.

IWAI members Brain Cassells and Ruth Delaney will be partaking in book signings at the show.

The Allianz Dublin Boat Show 2009 promises to deliver an informative experience with the latest boats, gadgets, clothing, new products with something to please all the family.

Best Wishes
John Dolan PRO IWAI
The following are photos of the IWAI stand:
[attachment 367 boatshow09001.jpg]
[attachment 368 boatshow09002.jpg]
[attachment 369 boatshow09003.jpg]
[attachment 370 boatshow09004.jpg]]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesWed, 18 Feb 2009 15:00:00 +0000 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15760,15760#msg-15760 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15760,15760#msg-15760
Speaking at the presentation ceremony in the Bush hotel in Carrick On Shannon on Saturday 13th September Mr Joseph Gilhooly, Director of Services LCC praised the work of the IWAI and its current President Mr Paul Garland.

The protection and development of the inland waterways of Ireland was a corner stone on which the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland was founded over 50 years ago.

Much of the main navigation has now been re-opened and is enjoyed by many, providing jobs, tourism and welcome boost to the local economies such as Leitrim.

In being presented with corporate membership Leitrim County Council are recognised as supporting the national charity concerned with the conservation, restoration and use of the inland waterways, by displaying the Corporate Investment Certificate customers and visitors will see that Leitrim County Council is a friend of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and cares about Ireland's waterways.

Mr Paul Garland presented the Corporate Investment Certificate to Joseph Gilhooly Director of Services LCC, Francis Gilmartin, Vice Chairman LCC and Ms Sinead Mc.Dermot, Leitrim Tourism
[attachment 366 LeitrimCorpoateMembers.jpg]
Viewing from left to right : Mr Joseph Gilhooly Director of Services LCC, Mr Francis Gilmartin, Vice Chairman LCC, Mr Paul Garland President IWAI and Ms Sinead Mc.Dermot, Leitrim Tourism.

19th September 2008]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesFri, 19 Sep 2008 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15759,15759#msg-15759 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15759,15759#msg-15759
Offaly IWAI Float to the Fleadh 2009 launched by RTE Broadcaster


The Offaly Branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Float to the Fleadh 2009 was launched on Monday night in Tullamore by well known RTE Broadcaster Paddy O Gorman.

Paddy and guests were welcomed on Board the “Saoirse ar an Uisce” Barge by Cllr Tommy McKeigue, Cathaoirleach, Tullamore Town Council who commented on the appropriateness of the venue for the launch and thanked the Sisters of Charity and crew of Michael Hanlon and Michael Ryan for use of the Barge. The barge has chosen Tullamore as its hire base for short cruises on the canal and this adds to the potential of the canal. Having witnessed the fine flotilla of cruisers and heritage barges that were in Tullamore for the past two years Cllr Mckeigue advised that he was looking forward to the fine display of boats this year not to mention the boost to the local economy, he added that the safety record of boats in the town is very good and that the potential of the canal is appreciated by the Town Council. On behalf of the Town Council and the people of Tullamore he welcomed Paddy O Gorman to Tullamore.

Paddy O Gorman, himself a lover of the waterways, said that he was delighted to be in Tullamore in such a splendid setting on the Grand Canal.
He recounted how his experience of boating started in Tullamore when he hired a Celtic Canal barge from the late Heather Thomas. He was very taken by the beauty and attractiveness of the canal and has since travelled on the Royal, the Shannon and the Barrow. He commented that the slow pace of the canal allows one to appreciate not only the industrial archaeology and heritage but also the potential of the canal in job creation and tourism. Paddy observed that the Float to the Fleadh brings two great traditions together in the town of Tullamore and in launching the Float to the Fleadh he wished all concerned the best of luck.

Offaly IWAI Chairperson Bernadette Quinn highlighted that the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) is a voluntary organisation. The Offaly Branch was formed in 1964 and has developed a positive working relationship with the local business and community groups. The IWAI is not just about boaters - the organisation has extended its activities to encompass history and heritage, business and tourism development, walking & nature appreciation, water sports and other such related areas.

Offaly IWAI is aware of the potential tourism value of the Grand Canal to Tullamore and County Offaly and the financial spin off potential that boaters can bring to the towns they visit as they stock up on provisions and savour the town’s hospitability.
Proper redevelopment of the Grand Canal Harbour could led to a fantastic opportunity to copper fasten the future of the Harbour and its environs in Tullamore. The Harbour is both a national and local asset, which has in the past and hopefully will continue to present in the future a significant income stream for the town of Tullamore.
The Harbour contains only one of two dry docks on the Grand Canal which have waiting lists and it is imperative that the dry dock is maintained as a working dry dock.

The IWAI would welcome the appropriate development of the harbour area that builds from a central reference point of waterways use. The town has fine mooring facilities and is seen as a safe place to moor boats, this could be significantly enhanced if a pay as you go showering and toilet block facility similar to those in many of the towns and villages on the river Shannon was provided. This facility could also be of benefit to other waterways users in the town like the canoe club and fishermen.

A great opportunity exists for the potential of the Grand Canal to be championed by Tullamore Town Council with Offaly County Council, waterways groups and local businesses so that its potential is reached and its demise does not occur.
It was also noted with thanks that while Waterways Ireland staff based in Tullamore do a fine job in maintaining the canal and harbour areas, a long term maintenance and dredging plan for the Grand Canal is vital to abate the reduction in the water depth of the canal, as without adequate water depth, boats will not be able to travel.

Bernadette also noted that the availability of the Shannon based hire cruiser companies
Silver line, Emerald Star and Carrick Craft for hire to travel on the canal to Tullamore for the Fleadh will give people the double benefit of a lovely relaxing holiday on the water and also provide accommodation in the heart of Tullamore.

During the week of the Fleadh in 2007 approximately 40 cruisers and barges moored in Tullamore, in 2008 there were 82 vessels and it is anticipated that the 100 mark can be reached this year.


Offaly Branch of IWAI - encouraging use and promotion of the
Grand Canal, combined with attending the Fleadh


IWAI PRO: John Dolan 087 2252772
27 July 2009]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesMon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15758,15758#msg-15758 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15758,15758#msg-15758
Kilbeggan Challenge: Irish whiskey travels again by canal for the first time in over half a century.

Two specially selected nine year old single malt whiskey casks were moved by canal from Locke's Distillery in Kilbeggan to the Grand Canal at Ballycommon on Saturday 29th August.
The event was organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the Grand Canal’s closure to commercial traffic in 1959, to celebrate the achievements of the boatmen who worked the commercial boats and to promote the restoration of the Kilbeggan Line and involved the combined muscles of Cooley Distillery, Offaly Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), Heritage Boat Association HBA), 107B Barge Project, Kilbeggan Harbour Amenity Group and the Irish Whiskey Society (IWS).

The whiskey was expertly selected by seven members of the Irish Whiskey Society in May this year. The whiskey will be bottled as Locke's "Grand Crew" Irish Whiskey. It is a single cask, single malt whiskey. It is being bottled at cask strength (almost 60% ABV) as this is the strength at which whiskey was typically shipped in cask by canal.

The project involved the transportation of the casks from Lockes distillery in Kilbeggan, to Kilbeggan Harbour via a vintage Leyland truck belonging to local man Joe Cleary escorted by outriders on some of Joe Clancy’s vintage bicycles . It was then transferred to a vintage replica cart belonging to Jim Murray who lives on the Kilbeggan line and was pulled by his Clydesdale horse called Ned who moved along the Dry Kilbeggan Line of the Grand Canal to Ballycommon.

Ned was followed by walkers from the various organisations and members of the public and the cargo was protected by some of Jims neighbours and friends on horseback including, Carina O'Donovan, Francis Dowling, Rebecca and Francesca Corr and Claire Bigot. Another neighbour John Monaghan joined the group on part of the journey with a pony and trap.

At Ballycommon the Kilbeggan Line links with the Grand Canal, here the casks were transferred to the heritage 107B project barge which was moored on the Grand Canal. The 107B will transport the casks in association with the Heritage Boat Association and veterans of the commercial canal era, who will escort it to Dublin. When the casks were loaded all involved were treated to an advance tasting of the fine Grand Crew whiskey. The great day was rounded off with a barbeque on the banks of the Grand Canal.

As part of the day’s events a bottle of Grand Crew (the promise of same) was presented by Tim Meehan of M.U.S.T. CCTV Tullamore to the 10th AXA/ AON annual across Ireland run which saw up to a thousand bikers pass through Kilbeggan. This is Ireland’s largest & longest motorcycle event of its kind and this year travelled from Dublin to Galway. The bottle was auctioned for €280 at their charity auction that night in Galway in aid of Make a Wish Ireland.

All involved on the day remarked on the potential of the Kilbegan Line and the shame that it has been allowed to deteriorate so much, the campaign to have it reinstated to a navigable waterway continues.

About the Kilbeggan Line
A canal link to Kilbeggan was first proposed in 1796. However, work only began on a canal in 1830 to link Kilbeggan with Ballycommon on the Grand Canal 5 miles east of Tullamore. The Kilbeggan Line is 8.2 miles (13.2km) long and has no locks. The canal was formally opened in January 1835 although this was a bit premature. It was only in 1836 that commercial traffic commenced.

Among the principal users of the Grand Canal were whiskey distilleries. Boats brought in malted and unmalted grain, coal to fire the stills and oak to make casks. Of course the boats also transported the resulting whiskey to Limerick, Dublin, England and the Empire beyond. In addition to Dublin, the Grand Canal served distilleries at Kilbeggan, Tullamore, Banagher and Monasterevan.

The Kilbeggan line fell into disuse in the late 1940s. As early as 1970, the IWAI were negotiating with the Government and CIE to restore the Kilbeggan Line to use, going as far as seeking a transfer to its care. The Inland Waterways News of April 1970 reported that "The plan for IWAI to take over the Kilbeggan branch in collaboration with the local development association is still active, though no firm decision has yet been reached. IWAI representatives met the Department of Transport and Power on 24 March and doubts were expressed about the Association's ability to maintain the ten bridges. CIE estimate that it would cost twelve thousand pounds to make the branch navigable again, but with volunteer labour IWAI could probably do the job for a quarter of this figure". The Offaly Branch of IWAI, the HBA and the Kilbeggan Harbour Amenity Group have continued to champion the re-watering of this waterway, which, having no locks and no impediments to the navigation right-of-way is relatively straightforward.

With increasing competition from the road and rail network, CIE announced the closure of the Grand Canal to commercial traffic in December 1959. 2009 marks the 50th anniversary. However, contrary to the expectations of 50 years ago, the Grand Canal did not die, primarily due to groups like the IWAI and the individuals who continued to use the canal for leisure purposes and who campaigned to keep it in navigable condition


IWAI PRO: John Dolan 087 2252772
31 August 2009

Note to Editor:

A full gallery of pictures is available at www.grandcrew.iwai.ie/gallery. just click on each image to get a full resolution version suitable for print.]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesMon, 31 Aug 2009 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15756,15756#msg-15756 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15756,15756#msg-15756Grand Canal and Agricultural links to be celebrated during this years Ploughing Championships in Athy.


The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) will be avoiding the traffic queues at this year's Ploughing Championships by arriving via the Grand Canal. This is quite appropriate given the historical significance of the role that the Grand Canal played in the development of the surrounding farming hinterlands, the IWAI believe that it is appropriate that the farming and navigation communities come together at this great event which will see both the roles of the Ploughing Championships and the Grand Canal celebrated side by side during the festival.

The IWAI North Barrow Branch are hosting a boating rally and events during the week of 19th to 26 September. These include a raft race on the Barrow and barbeques on the Grand Canal . www.iwai.ie. The Heritage Boat Association which promotes the floating heritage of the canals by moving heritage boats around the system will also have barges present.

The linkage between the canal and the farming community dates back to 1924 when Athy and Carlow farmers campaigned successfully to have Ireland’s first sugar beet factory established in Carlow. The principal form of transport of the beet to the factory was by horse drawn barge and rail, with local beet collected by horse and cart.

The Grand Canal was controlled by the Grand Canal Company; this company ran its own commercial boat fleet and also charged tolls to private boats known as hackers who also traded on the system.

Of course this wasn’t the only linkage between the farming communities and the navigation system as both the Grand Canal and the River Barrow carried significant commercial traffic linking all the towns on the system such as New Ross, Graiguenamanagh, Carlow and Athy to and from Dublin. On the way into Dublin malted barley was the main cargo which was used as a raw material in the manufacture of Guinness and of course on the way back the finished product was stout. Other goods carried included fertilisers, hides, malt and mineral waters.

The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland will also have an exhibition stand in the Ploughing Championships site.



Notes to Editor

IWAI is a voluntary body of waterways enthusiasts, founded in 1954. It was formed to promote the development, use and maintenance of Ireland's navigable rivers and canals. When the Shannon was almost totally undeveloped for pleasure boating, the IWAI fought the building of low bridges, thus ensuring the development of the river as a national asset. Later the IWAI successfully fought the threatened closure of the Grand Canal in Dublin and has done much to instigate the improvement of the Barrow and to focus interest and activity on the restoration of the Royal Canal, the Ulster Canal and other closed navigations. The IWAI is the respected voice of the waterway user, lobbying and advising national and local government authorities as well as other bodies on all matters connected with the waterways including pollution and future developments. www.iwai.ie.

John Dolan
IWAI PRO
12 September 2009
Contact John at "pro @ iwai.ie" or +353 (87) 2252772]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesSat, 12 Sep 2009 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15755,15755#msg-15755 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15755,15755#msg-15755Lord Mayor to welcome Traditional shipment of whiskey casks on Grand Canal

Date and Times: 6 October 2009 with Official Reception at 16.30 Portobello Lock, Grand Canal

Event Description: In order to mark the 50th anniversary of the Grand Canal’s closure to commercial traffic in 1959, to celebrate the achievements of the boatmen who worked the commercial boats and to promote the restoration of the Kilbeggan Line, Tullamore this event involves shipping 2 whiskey Casks by Canal from Locks Distillery in Kilbeggan to Dublin via the Grand Canal for the first time in 50 years.

The specially selected whiskey is a Locke’s nine year old single malt called Grand Crew. The casks are currently on the last part of the trip into Dublin on board heritage barge project 107B accompanied by another heritage barge 45M and will be welcomed by an official reception at 17.00 hrs at Portobello Lock, Grand Canal Dublin, there may even be a little tasting on the banks of the Canal.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Councilor Emer Costello will extend the welcome of the City of Dublin to the barge crews and support teams on the evening.

Event Organisers: Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), Heritage Boat Association (HBA), Cooley Distillery, 107B restoration barge project, Irish Whiskey Society. and Kilbeggan Harbour Amenity Group.

Any Other Details: The transportation from the distillery in Kilbeggan has involved a mix of 1969 Leyland vintage truck, a Clydesdale work horse and vintage cart with horse mounted outriders, industrial heritage and skills via the heritage barges, crews including a number of the retired bargemen (that worked the canal during the commercial trade years).

Event Category: Inland waterways, industrial heritage, traditional skills, historic buildings, floating heritage, green transport, talking history.

The journey to date may be viewed at www.grandcrew.iwai.ie]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesTue, 06 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15750,15750#msg-15750 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15750,15750#msg-15750Welcome for launch yesterday of
the Socio Economic Study of the Ulster Canal
The President of IWAI Brian Cassells welcomed the launch yesterday of the Socio Economic Study of the Ulster Canal in the Long Gallery at Stormont.  The study was prepared for the Blackwater Regional Partnership by PriceWaterhouseCoopers in association with Tourism Development International.
Mr. Cassells said that the study clearly showed that the costs of restoring the canal would be well outweighed by the benefits it would bring to areas surrounding the canal and to the wider community.
He went on to say “Because of its key location as the “missing link” in the Irish network, re-opening the canal will be of enormous interest to those who use the waterways for leisure and recreation but more importantly it will provide a wide range of new business and employment opportunities for communities in the canal corridor – an area that has suffered significant under investment in recent times”
He acknowledged that the capital cost of the project (£125M) was significant but pointed out that this would be spread over several years construction and would of course be divided equally between the two jurisdictions.
He believed that there was now all-party support for the project on both sides of the border and urged the two governments to make an immediate commitment to the project.
For additional information contact:
Colin Becker
Project/Development Officer IWAI
Tel: +353-87-2426249
Email Colin via our email form]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesThu, 31 Aug 2006 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15747,15747#msg-15747 http://www.iwai.ie/forum/read.php?2,15747,15747#msg-15747Welcome for Ulster Canal Reports
The President of IWAI, Brian Cassells today called for a commitment by the
two governments north and south to begin restoration work on the Ulster
Canal.

Waterways Ireland had commissioned feasibility and socio-economic studies
into the re-opening of the canal from Lough Erne to Clones at the western
end and from Lough Neagh to Blackwatertown at the eastern end.

Welcoming the publication of the two new reports from Waterways Ireland into
the feasibility of re-opening the canal, the President said that the time
was now right to begin work on the ground. IWAI has campaigned for many
years for the full restoration of this canal and the "two ends" approach was
a valuable first step towards a full restoration.

The Ulster Canal crosses the border four times in its 46 mile journey from
Lough Neagh to Lough Erne and is the perfect cross border project supported
by all the major political parties.

From a socio economic point of view, the restoration would be a tremendous
boost to an area that has seen little real investment since the canal was
originally built in the 1840s.

The report highlights higher unemployment, lower wage earnings and cheaper
house prices in the canal corridor. It lists numerous economic benefits to
an area largely composed of small farms; such an investment would encourage
farm diversification and create much needed part time employment, from
hospitality to light engineering and thus discourage depopulation of this
vulnerable area. It is estimated land values fronting the waterway could be
up to 25% more valuable if the project were to be given the green light.

The canal is the missing link in the Irish inland waterways network and its
restoration would create one of the most varied and attractive navigable
waterways in Western Europe.

IWAI is a voluntary body of waterways enthusiasts, founded in 1954. It was
formed to promote the development, use and maintenance of Ireland's
navigable rivers and canals. IWAI is the voice of the waterway user,
lobbying and advising national governments, local authorities and other
relevant bodies on all matters connected with the inland waterways.

Brian Cassells, President IWAI

---

The two reports are on the Dept. of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs web-site on the North South Co-operation pages http://www.pobail.ie/en/NorthSouthCo-operation/.

Scroll right down to the bottom and you'll see the reports. (They are pretty big)

The socio-economic report (not the technical stuff) is also on the WI website here]]> IWAI P.R.O. IWAI Press ReleasesThu, 22 Jun 2006 16:00:00 +0100