Shannon-Erne Waterway
Encyclopedia
The Shannon-Erne Waterway is a canal
linking the River Shannon
in the Republic of Ireland
with the River Erne
in Northern Ireland
. Managed by Waterways Ireland
, the canal is 63 km (39.1 mi) in length, has sixteen locks and runs from Leitrim village
in County Leitrim
to Upper Lough Erne
in County Fermanagh
. It is the longest inland cruising system in Europe.
The official opening of the Shannon-Erne Waterway took place at Corraguil Lock, Teemore
, County Fermanagh on 23 May 1994.
to Ballyconnell
. This was part of a scheme to improve navigation from Ballyshannon
, on the Lower Lough Erne, through to the Upper Lough Erne. However this was beset by financial problems and all worked stopped in 1792. Though various other schemes were proposed, it wasn't until 1847 with the completion of the Ulster Canal
that work was finally started, financed by the Office of Public Works
with their John McMahon setting out the line and William Mulvany as the engineer in charge. The aim was to provide both drainage and a navigation, and this has never been a satisfactory combination.
The first boats to use the canal from Ballinamore
were in 1858. By this time the cost had risen from the initial estimates of £131,858 to £274,272. Although there was not yet any rail competition in the area, the hope of Belfast to Limerick traffic had been pre-empted by the railways. between 1860 and 1869 only 8 boats paid to go through the navigation, though probably others did without paying.
Though the canal remained officially open there were problems with draft, and in the 1880s, low level rail bridges were placed across the canal, confident that they would never be asked to raise them. In 1881, one of the trustees, John Grey Vesey Porter, asserted after a survey that "it is one of the most shameful pieces of mismanagement in any country." Very little was done in the way of maintenance and by 1948 the navigation trustees ceased to function. From then, essential drainage work was still carried out by the drainage trustees and councils performed essential maintenance to the structures.
financed a detail study and feasibility study into restoring the canal, which lay across the border between the Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland
. In June 1989, Charles Haughey
, the Taoiseach
announced that the two governments had decided to adopt the proposal as a flagship North/South project. Work commenced in November 1990 and was opened to traffic on 23 May 1994 on time and within the budget of £30m. It was essentially a new navigation along the line of the original waterway, which had never been properly completed in the first place.
, through Ballinamore and Ballyconnell to the Erne, which has another eight locks.
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
linking the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
with the River Erne
River Erne
The River Erne , in the northwest of Ireland, rises in Beaghy Lough, two miles south of Stradone in County Cavan and flows 64 miles through Lough Gowna, Lough Oughter and Upper and Lower Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, to the sea at Ballyshannon, County Donegal...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Managed by Waterways Ireland
Waterways Ireland
Waterways Ireland is one of the six all-Ireland North/South implementation bodies established under the Belfast Agreement in 1999. It is responsible for the management, maintenance, development, and restoration of inland navigable waterways primarily for recreational purposes...
, the canal is 63 km (39.1 mi) in length, has sixteen locks and runs from Leitrim village
Leitrim, County Leitrim
Leitrim is a village in County Leitrim, Ireland.-Access and transport:It is located on the River Shannon at the junction of the R280 and R284 regional roads and is connected to the River Erne via the Shannon-Erne Waterway. Leitrim village is the gateway to the Shannon-Erne Waterway and boasts a...
in County Leitrim
County Leitrim
County Leitrim is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
to Upper Lough Erne
Lough Erne
Lough Erne, sometimes Loch Erne , is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne. The river begins by flowing north, and then curves west into the Atlantic. The southern lake is further up the river and so is named Upper...
in County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
. It is the longest inland cruising system in Europe.
The official opening of the Shannon-Erne Waterway took place at Corraguil Lock, Teemore
Teemore
Teemore is a small village and townland in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is three miles south of Derrylin. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 400....
, County Fermanagh on 23 May 1994.
History
The first attempt at a canal was made in 1780, along the Woodford river, from BelturbetBelturbet
Belturbet is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is from Cavan town from Dublin city. Belturbet lies on the N3 road. It is from the border with Northern Ireland between the counties of Cavan and Fermanagh and is south of Enniskillen.- History :...
to Ballyconnell
Ballyconnell
Ballyconnell is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is situated on the N87 national secondary road at the junction of four townlands Annagh, Cullyleenan, Doon and Derryginny in the parish of Tomregan, Barony of Tullyhaw. The town has an altitude of 55 metres above sea level...
. This was part of a scheme to improve navigation from Ballyshannon
Ballyshannon
Ballyshannon is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. It is located where the N3 and N15 cross the River Erne, and claims to be the oldest town in Ireland.-Location:...
, on the Lower Lough Erne, through to the Upper Lough Erne. However this was beset by financial problems and all worked stopped in 1792. Though various other schemes were proposed, it wasn't until 1847 with the completion of the Ulster Canal
Ulster Canal
The Ulster Canal is a disused canal running through part of County Armagh, County Tyrone and County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland and County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland...
that work was finally started, financed by the Office of Public Works
Office of Public Works
The Office of Public Works is a State Agency of the Department of Finance in the Republic of Ireland...
with their John McMahon setting out the line and William Mulvany as the engineer in charge. The aim was to provide both drainage and a navigation, and this has never been a satisfactory combination.
The first boats to use the canal from Ballinamore
Ballinamore
Ballinamore is a small town in County Leitrim, Ireland, from the border with Northern Ireland. It is located on the R202 regional road where it is joined by the R199 and R204. means "mouth of the big ford", and the town is so named because it was the main crossing point of the Yellow River,...
were in 1858. By this time the cost had risen from the initial estimates of £131,858 to £274,272. Although there was not yet any rail competition in the area, the hope of Belfast to Limerick traffic had been pre-empted by the railways. between 1860 and 1869 only 8 boats paid to go through the navigation, though probably others did without paying.
Though the canal remained officially open there were problems with draft, and in the 1880s, low level rail bridges were placed across the canal, confident that they would never be asked to raise them. In 1881, one of the trustees, John Grey Vesey Porter, asserted after a survey that "it is one of the most shameful pieces of mismanagement in any country." Very little was done in the way of maintenance and by 1948 the navigation trustees ceased to function. From then, essential drainage work was still carried out by the drainage trustees and councils performed essential maintenance to the structures.
A new waterway
Here things lay until 1988, when the International Fund for IrelandInternational Fund for Ireland
The International Fund for Ireland is an independent international organisation established in 1986 by the British and Irish governments with the objectives of promoting "economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout...
financed a detail study and feasibility study into restoring the canal, which lay across the border between the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. In June 1989, Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
, the Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
announced that the two governments had decided to adopt the proposal as a flagship North/South project. Work commenced in November 1990 and was opened to traffic on 23 May 1994 on time and within the budget of £30m. It was essentially a new navigation along the line of the original waterway, which had never been properly completed in the first place.
Course of the waterway
The waterway has three natural sections: a still-water canal from the Shannon at Leitrim to Kilclare, which has eight locks; a summit level which includes Lough Scur, and a river navigation from Castlefore, near KeshcarriganKeshcarrigan
Keshcarrigan is a village in County Leitrim, Ireland. The village is situated on the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the R209 road near Lough Scur and Sheebeg, an ancient pagan burial site overlooking Kesh Lake....
, through Ballinamore and Ballyconnell to the Erne, which has another eight locks.