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Phase 1
Phase 1 was completed in 2019 and is open to the public. It included c.3.5 kilometres of new river navigation along the River Finn between Quivvy Lough and Castle Saunderson. The work programme involved the dredging of the River Finn, construction of a new lateral canal and navigation arch at Derrykerrib bridge and the installation of new floating jetty at Castle Saunderson. This element of the project cost €3m.
Phase 2 - Onsite August 2022
Phase two of the Ulster Canal restoration focuses on the restoration of the canal between Clones and Clonfad in County Monaghan, including a canal basin marina and amenity area in Clones. In November 2020 Waterways Ireland submitted an application for the €12m funding for Phase 2 from the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund.
In December 2020, the Shared Island team within the Department of the Taoiseach announced it would contribute €6m of the €12m. In April 2021, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, announced in conjunction with Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development, a further €6 million of funding for Waterways Ireland to enable the completion of phase two of the restoration of the Ulster Canal.
The Phase 2 work programme will include a sustainable water source, a new 40 berth marina, 2 new access bridges, repairs to an existing masonry arch bridge, c.1km of restored canal and towpath with a looped walk and an amenity area. The amenity area will have 40 car parking spaces, 8 bus/trailer spaces, a service block and picnic area and will be connected to the town and the existing playground.
Phase 2 of the Ulster Canal Restoration was officially initiated with a contract signing in Clones, Co. Monaghan on the morning of 25.07.22. The contract was signed by Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland, John McDonagh and Managing Director of Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd, John Pentony, in the presence of Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, in the presence of Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD., Malcolm Noonan T.D. Minister of State for Electoral Reform and Heritage and Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland John O'Dowd MLA unveiled a Foundation Stone for Phase 2 at the Canal Stores on the 29th September 2022.
Phase 3
The April 2021 announcement by An Taoiseach included a €1m study for Phase 3.
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.