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Background
Work on the Ulster Canal began 180 years ago (1841) and within the year it was open to commercial traffic. The navigation combining river and canal was circa 93km long, passing through Counties Fermanagh, Cavan, Monaghan, Tyrone and Armagh. The last trading boat using the canal was in 1929 and it officially closed in 1931.
Phase 3
Waterways Ireland is entrusted with restoring approximately 13.5km of navigation from Upper Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh to Clones, Co. Monaghan. The work is divided into three phases, two of which are complete. Waterways Ireland has established a dedicated project team to deliver Phase 3.
The third phase of Waterways Ireland’s restoration of the Ulster Canal has been initiated. This is the largest phase and runs from Castle Saunderson to Clonfad, approximately 10km. When completed it will allow the navigation of 14,5 all the way from Clones in Monaghan to the mouth of the Shannon in Limerick, passing through Lough Erne.
The project includes 10km of new and refurbished navigable canal and towpath with a looped walk and amenity area, a sustainable water source, a double lock chamber and marina at Gortnacarrow. Key infrastructure to be delivered also includes seven new bridges (one will be a lifting bridge), a small footbridge and refurbishment of three existing masonry arch bridges, culvert, and drainage repairs, stop gates provision of a new service block facility and carparking.
The project will be delivered in four sub-phases. Phase 3.1 and 3.2 from Castle Saunderson to Gortnacarrow to Clonoony will provide an additional 2.5km of navigable waterway and a new destination marina at Gortnacarrow. These phases are progessing first. Outline designs for Phase 3.1 and 3.2 infrastructure, including the canal, bridges, locks, marina, service block and parking areas have been completed. A detailed design tender issued in April 2025 for the 3.1 and 3.2 sections of Phase 3.
ULSTER CANAL PHASE 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Phase 3.1 – Castle Saunderson to Gortnacarrow (2km)
| Phase 3.2 – Gortnacarrow to Clonoony (0.5km)
| Phase 3.3 – Clonoony to Derrynure (3.75km)
| Phase 3.4 – Derrynure to Clonfad (3.75km)
|
Planning permission is in place for the Fermanagh sections of the project. Planning permission has to be re-applied for in Monaghan as it was originally granted in 2013 and lapsed after 10 years. This application is currently being prepared and will be lodged in Q2 of 2025.
Waterways Ireland is engaging with the landowners in both Fermanagh and Monaghan along the canal restoration route. Where vesting is required in Fermanagh it will be undertaken by the Department for Infrastructure. CPO will be undertaken in Ireland once planning permission is received.
Funding is in place to complete 3.1 and 3.2 – from Castle Saunderson to Gortnacarrow to Clonoony - providing an additional 2.5km of navigable waterway and a new destination marina at Gortnacarrow. The funding currently committed will allow us to advance the remainder of Phase 3.
Additional information about the project’s progress will be posted here as it becomes available.
Ulster Canal Phase 2 Officially Opened 19 June 2024
19th June 2024: Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin, alongside Waterways Ireland, today officially open Phase 2 of the Ulster Canal redevelopment project following a more than 20 million investment.
The redevelopment project was carried out by Waterways Ireland, the navigational authority for the inland navigable waterways, from August 2022 to June of this year, completing the restoration of 1.5km of the Ulster Canal from Clones in Co. Monaghan to Clonfad in Co. Monaghan.
Phase Two of the project includes a new Marina in Clones and 1km of restored canal and towpath with a looped walk and an amenity area including parking, a service block, picnic area, performance space and bus/trailer spaces, on the route of the 180yr old Ulster Canal. The vision for Clones Marina, agreed following public consultation, is a Marina that safely links the wider waterway and greenway network into the heart of Clones Town, providing a memorable and unique gateway to County Monaghan and the border region: a place to engage with the water, landscape, ecology and the celebrated heritage of Clones.
The investment saw the creation of 80 new construction jobs throughout this second phase of development, with the newly launched amenities supporting an enhanced number of tourist and hospitality opportunities, demonstrating Waterways Ireland’s commitment to supporting the local economy.
See the full press release from the official launch event:
Ulster Canal Phase 2 Officially Opened – Read More
Phase 1
Phase 1 Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson
This was the initial phase in the development of the ulster canal commencing in 2015 and was completed in October 2019.
The works on this phase included:
- The dredging of the River Finn from Quivvy Lough to Castle Saunderson.
- At Derrykerrib a new navigable bridge was construction to the west of the existing bridge.
- A new canal c.300m long was constructed to bypass the existing bridge at Derrykerrib.
- A new landing Jetty was installed at Castle Saunderson.
The finished works created 2.5km of new navigation from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson.