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A Newry City councillor has voiced his concern about lack of progress on council motions involving Newry Canal and has called for a full update on the canal's regeneration.
Two motions were passed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in November 2024 and April 2025, both concerning the Canal's untapped potential and calling for the regeneration of what is Newry's unique asset.
Councillor Killian Feehan spoke of the lack of progress on the motions. "The reason I raise it here is because this council, at this stage, has passed not one, but two motions with cross-party support in November 2024 and again in April 2025 calling for urgent and visible steps to revitalise the canal, but despite that, there hasn't been any tangible action and no meaningful progress update brought to councillors or to the public, and if I'm being really honest with you, I find that unacceptable."
Cllr Feehan asked that a written update on canal regeneration be brought to the next full council meeting to include a timeline of actions that have been taken since November 2024 and any barriers that have been identified by council officers. He also asked for a forward plan with deliverables and milestones.
In reply Council CEO Marie Ward said "We don't bring reports of that nature to full council." adding that instead it would be brought to the September Sustainability and Environment committee.
Cllr Feehan queried why it couldn't be brought to full council to which Ms Ward said "in line with our standing orders, update reports are brought through relevant committee" The Newry City councillor asked could it not be brought to the August S&E meeting with the CEO citing officer leave as a potential reason but that she would endeavour to have a report back for August though it may be September.
The April 2025 motion called for an independent review of "all economic assessments related to Newry Canal". In June Newry.ie asked council if they had conducted that review, or if not when they would. Their reply said that they were establishing a "Newry Canal Regeneration Task Force" to agree the remit and scope of the review.
“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is in the process of establishing a Newry Canal Regeneration Task Force, which will be responsible for agreeing the remit and scope of the independent review of all economic assessments related to Newry Canal, as set out in Council Motion C/064/2025.
"The Council has engaged with a range of stakeholders to identify any relevant existing studies and ensure they are considered as part of this process."
November 2024 Motion
Establishment of a Newry Canal Regeneration Taskforce - Cllr Killian Feehan
"Council recognises the poor condition of Newry Canal and the significant untapped potential of our inland waterways as tourism, heritage and ecological assets, calls for a multi-agency response to lead the regeneration of Newry Canal, and will request the support of ABC Council in writing to both the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to request the urgent establishment of a Newry Canal regeneration taskforce that will work in partnership to deliver on the potential of our inland waterways".
April 2025 Motion
Newry Canal - Councillor Killian Feehan
This Council reaffirms its commitment to the regeneration of Newry Canal to realise its full potential as a key recreation, tourism, biodiversity, and economic development asset. Council will write to the following local authorities and statutory bodies, in pursuit of best practice learnings, and to request information sharing on waterways strategies and management plans;
• Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Leitrim County Council and Cavan County Council (Shannon-Erne Waterway)
• Derry City & Strabane District Council (Foyle Maritime Festival)
• Birmingham City Council (Birmingham Canal Navigations)
• Waterways Ireland
Council will write to the following bodies to request a breakdown of their funding priorities and to identify synergies between funding opportunities and the regeneration of Newry Canal:
• The Shared Island Unit
• The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
• The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)."
Council will also write to:
- The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland
- Chesterfield Canal Trust
Council will also commission an independent review of all economic assessments related to Newry Canal to ensure our decision-making is informed by best practice in heritage economics and aligned with international standards, with findings to be presented to Council no later than six months from this motion's passing.
Also agree that a task group be set up within Council and in conjunction with ABC Council to future plan for the Canal with a vision to make it a tourist attraction for both areas to boost tourism and bring much needed investment along the length of this historic canal.
