Ahern pledges to restore Ulster Canal

Inland waterway enthusiasts have welcomed the commitment by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to reopen the Ulster Canal - a 74km derelict canal linking Lough Erne and Lough Neagh.

Much of the canal passes through Co Monaghan and hopes are high that the €200 million project will be a catalyst for regeneration in the Border region, as was the Shannon-Erne waterway which was reopened in 1994.

In his ardfheis address, Mr Ahern also announced the reopening of remaining cross-Border roads that were closed during the Troubles.

Commenting on North-South projects, Mr Ahern said new road links to Belfast and the northeast had already been opened and the Government would now turn attention "with the same energy and determination" to improving access to Donegal, to Derry and to the northwest.

He added the Government would plan "a new North- South project to restore and reopen the Ulster Canal to create a major inland waterway for the Border region".

Mr Ahern went on to note the success of the Shannon-Erne link, which incorporated the restoration of the Ballinamore to Ballyconnell canal, and remarked that "15 years ago, that region was one of the most heavily fortified in Europe, with more than one hundred [ road] crossings closed".

The route of the Ulster Canal goes from Upper Lough Erne and along the Finn river in Co Fermanagh, across the Border to Co Monaghan and via Clones, Monaghan town, Middletown, Co Armagh, Benburb, Co Tyrone, and along the Blackwater to Lough Neagh.