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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has secured grant funding to carry out structural surveys on five lock chambers along the Newyr Canal and restoration work on Lock 6 on the canal is underway.
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Council have appointed a dedicated Integrated Consultancy Team (ICT) to lead the work on the Canal, the oldest summit-level canal in Ireland and the UK. The waterway holds scheduled monument status, making it one of the north's most significant heritage assets. Its restoration is seen as central to a range of local and regional priorities, from heritage preservation and tourism development to active travel and sustainable infrastructure.
The Council secured grant aid from the Department for Communities through the Historic Environment Fund (HEF) Regeneration Stream 2025/26. The funding will enable a Visual Condition Survey of five lock chambers along the canal, providing a detailed assessment of their structural condition. The results will help inform future conservation planning and investment, ensuring that any further work across the canal network is evidence-based and in line with best practice in heritage conservation.
Commenting on the appointments, Council Chairperson, Councillor Phillip Campbell said, "The restoration of Lock 6 on the Newry Canal represents a significant investment in our district's heritage, safety and future prosperity. The appointment of the Integrated Consultancy Team is an important step forward in progressing this work. Alongside this, the Historic Environment Fund support will allow us to carry out essential surveys to guide future conservation efforts."
Cllr Campbell added, "These initiatives are about more than conserving a historic structure, they are about strengthening community wellbeing, supporting active travel and enhancing our tourism offering, while ensuring this remarkable waterway remains a safe, accessible and vibrant asset for generations to come."
The Council has said that further updates on both projects will be provided as work progresses.
