€30M Shared Island funding for Ulster Canal Phase 3

Phase 3 is the longest stretch of the restoration project and includes 10km of new and refurbished navigable canal

A sum of €30 million has been allocated from the Shared Island Fund as a contribution towards the delivery of Phase 3 of the Ulster Canal restoration project (2027–2029).

The announcement has been welcomed locally, following an announcement by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, who, speaking on his way into Cabinet on Tuesday morning, said the additional funding will help with connectivity between north and south.

Phase 3 is the longest stretch of the restoration project and includes 10km of new and refurbished navigable canal and towpath, bridges, locks, marina and service blocks linking Clonfad to Castle Saunderson. It will also link Clones to the Erne System and the Shannon–Erne Waterway- a key commitment under the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

The previous phase saw the canal restored between Clonfad and Clones, and open for navigation with a major canal basin marina and amenity area in the Monaghan Town.

Phase 3 will also include a new 9km Ulster Canal Greenway from Clones to Gortnacarrow, and the inclusion of a designated Pollinator Corridor as part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, supported by Waterways Ireland.

It builds on the previous €80 million investment in Phase 3, including €40 million from the Shared Island Fund, as well as earlier funding for Phases 1 and 2, completed in 2019 and 2024 respectively.

Substantial preliminary work has already taken place on Phase 3, and Waterways Ireland last year appointed a dedicated project lead and secured detailed design tenders for sub-phases 3.1 and 3.2.

Minister Niamh Smyth described the investment as “a major milestone for Clones, for the Border region, and for cross-border cooperation on our island.”

She added that the project is “about much more than infrastructure”. The Minister also highlighted the strong community support behind the project:

“It is about breathing new life into Clones, supporting local businesses, attracting visitors, and creating a shared space that communities on both sides of the border can enjoy,” she said. “People in Clones have waited a long time for this moment. Their belief in the Ulster Canal has never wavered. Today’s announcement is a testament to their perseverance and to the power of partnership across our island.”

Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith, also welcomed the news.

He tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage requesting an update on the development of Phase 3 of the Ulster Canal the works.

Deputy Smith was informed that Monaghan County Council have granted planning permission in principal for Phase 3, and that Waterways Ireland continues to progress the land acquisition process for all sub-phases, while Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is engaging with affected landowners north of the border.

“Funding under the Shared Island Initiative has been key to the major progress that has been made in developing the Ulster Canal to date,” acknowledged Deputy Smith in response to the funding announcement. “This is an extremely important project for the Cavan Monaghan area and indeed the entire border region.”