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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s (NMDDC) have signed off on a budget for repairs to ‘Forsythes Lock’ on Newry Canal. The canal listed as a scheduled monument, opened in 1742 and is the oldest canal in Ireland.
Newry City Councillor Killian Feehan has welcomed the move and said this is just the beginning.
“This is not the end point—it is just the beginning. I will be using this momentum to push for a full programme of restoration and development along the canal corridor. From regeneration and recreation to heritage tourism and biodiversity projects, there is enormous potential here—and it’s time we tapped into it."
Then agenda item 16 "Newry Canal Restoration Works - Lock 6" was heard 'in committee' at the Council's strategy, policy and resources committee meeting on 12 June, Committee chairperson, Oonagh Hanlon, in open session said: ”It was agreed to approve the procurement and appointment of a contractor required to deliver the project as outlined in the officer’s report.
“To approve the business case and allocate the budget within the capital plan as outlined in the report.”
None of the reports were made available to the public or media with the discussions held in confidential session.
However, the work is understood to be part of a wider scope of upgrades to the canal with the cost of a previous Lock being repaired in 2019 at a cost of £150k.
Newry Canal is the oldest summit level canal in Ireland and Britain. The canal has two main sections, the inland stretch from Portadown to Newry and the Ship Canal from Newry to Victoria Locks, halfway along Carlingford Lough. The Newry Ship Canal section is currently the only navigable stretch of waterway and tall ships and yachts travel right up to the Albert Basin.
In April, NMDDC unanimously agreed a motion to pursue funding and development of the city’s waterway.
The local authority move comes as elected reps look to increase pressure on Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Minister Liz Kimmins for a lifting bridge at the canal to continue to allow tall ships to enter into the Albert Basin.
However, DfI has maintained that a closed bridge linked to the £130m Southern Relief Road project, is still the option for the canal.
The council is also due to identify funding opportunities with the Irish governments Shared Island Unit as well as the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for the future use of the waterway as an economic driver for the city.
Councillor Feehan sees the investment as a watershed moment and a launchpad for wider regeneration of the canal.
“This investment is a hugely important step toward bringing Newry Canal back to life.
“The Canal’s locks are a symbol of the potential of the Canal—and also the neglect it has suffered. With this funding, we are showing that the regeneration of the Canal isn’t just a dream, it’s starting to happen."
Councillor Feehan, who has made canal regeneration a key priority, said he is determined to use this investment as a springboard to unlock further development, funding, and community engagement.
Paying tribute to local residents and campaigners in the local area who have kept the spotlight on the Canal and called for action he added: “The canal is part of who we are—it’s a link to our past and a route to a better future. I’m determined to keep driving this forward until we see the full vision realised.”
