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Newry Bus Station overlooking a very dry Newry Canal. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
Newry Bus Station overlooking a very dry Newry Canal. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Newry Canal in the centre of the city is the driest it has been in living memory with just a tiny trickle of water present.

Ducks and heron's stand around on a bank of mud that is usually covered in several metres of water.

The jewel in Newry's crown and the oldest summit level canal in these islands was opened in 1742 and has suffered years of neglect since it was abondoned in 1956 and fixed bridges built over it ever since.

Leekage from the lock gates at Victoria lock seems to be the major contributing factor, coupled with a lack of rainfall in recent weeks. The stretch of Newry Ship Canal from the Albert Basin to Victoria Lock has also lost several metres of water.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are aware of the issue but it's not known at present what steps can or will be taken to restore the waterway to it's normal level.

Just as recent as last year Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Borough Council have met to discuss the possibility of re-opening the canal, something that has long been an aspiration of local people.

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