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The development of Newry Canal is firmly on the menu at next weeks Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism meeting, although it's not known if Councillors will be allowed to 'think big' with the ultimate end game of making Newry's unique selling point a world renowned attraction, by reopening it to barges and other craft or if all involved will be content to just make it a place you can paddle your own canoe!
A previous joint committee between the councils lobbied for investment and reopening of the wateway for navigation. Additionally four years ago in 2017 Newry City Councillor, at a * council meeting 4/10/17, Councillor Charlie Casey asked that "work would be undertaken with Waterways Ireland to open up the canal to see the tourism aspect realised". Councillor Reilly agreed with Councillor Casey, saying "if there was money for infrastructure works it would be good to open up the canal from Carlingford Lough". At that meeting It was agreed that Council ERT Director (now CEO) Marie Ward would undertake to investigate works in conjunction with Waterways Ireland to open up the Newry canal and tow path to see the tourism aspect realised.
Perhaps that investigating has now come to fruition as Councillor's at Monday's, 8 November meeting will be asked to allow Council officials to liaise with their counterparts in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to discuss future joint opportunities for development of Newry Canal.
Newry Canal which opened in 1742 has long been mooted as a massive tourist attraction in waiting. Next weeks discussion was initialised by correspondence from the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland. The ultimate aim of the local IWAI Newry and Portadown Branch is for the Canal to be fully re-opened from Portadown through Newry and into Newry Ship Canal.
The Council owns the section of the Canal from Victoria Lock to outside Jerrettspass, a section composed of 8 locks in various states of repair. ABC Council own the remaining section to Portadown.
In the report being presented to Councillors by Andy Patterson, Assistant Director, Tourism, Culture and Events it states "Council has invested in various projects associated with the Canal including the automation of the Lock Gate at Victoria Lock in 2007 which improved the access arrangements for boats to and from the Ship Canal."
The report adds "The Councils Tourism Strategy recognised the potential of the Canal and future development around a Blueway concept." The mention in the Tourism Strategy though falls far short of an aim to fully open the waterway!
The Tourism Strategy points out "The community has yet to maximise key local assets such as the Newry Ship Canal." although the community surely could not be expected to maximise this asset by itself.
If Monday night's report is agreed Council officials will liaise with ABC and report back to ERT.
* Correction 8/11/21 - Corrected error in meeting title/ date
