Green light for next phase of Ulster Canal project

Monaghan County Council has given planning approval for the next stage of the Ulster Canal restoration project to be developed within its jurisdiction.

Director of Planning Services, Cathal Flynn, told Monday’s Council meeting that the local authority last week issued a notice granting planning permission to Waterways Ireland for works relating to the third phase of the canal’s redevelopment as a major tourism amenity project.

The decision grants conditional permission for restoration and rebuilding works in the townlands of Clonlura, Clonnagore, Clonoony, Drumsloe and Roranna in Clones.

Cllr Pat Treanor (SF) described the decision as “another major milestone” for the opening of the canal from Clones to Lough Erne. He said it was Waterways Ireland’s goal to have the completed project open by 2029 and Monaghan County Council is doing everything help meet that target.

Cllr Treanor urged businesses in the area to conduct forward planning because the completed project has the potential to deliver major benefit to Clones, the Border area and the country as a whole.

“We should be setting ourselves up to take maximum benefit from this,” he added.

Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr P.J. O’Hanlon (FF) said that were it not for Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and his creation of the Shared Ireland Fund there would be no news like this. The Ulster Canal Project is currently not receiving funding from any other source, he pointed out, adding: “There is an old saying – no ‘mun’, no fun.”