The system of inland waterways is one of the most valued aspects of our natural heritage, according to Oonagh Duggan, inland waterways officer with the Heritage Council.

In a recent survey, published by the council, nearly one-third of respondents said that the restoration of canals and rivers, including facilities for walking, cycling, fishing and boating, should be a prioritised area of heritage development.

"Water is living heritage. It is the basis of life and it's an important resource, as I think people are realising from the recent problems with water shortages and the contamination of water in Galway," Ms Duggan said yesterday at a Heritage Week event on the Grand Canal in Dublin.

The event was held to draw attention to Water Heritage Day, which takes place on Saturday.

Many of Ireland's leading water heritage experts and a number of the Grand Canal's retired boatmen attended.

Special activities are scheduled around the country for Water Heritage Day. The council aims to highlight the unique industrial, architectural and archaeological heritage that is found along the country's canal routes.

Colin Becker, project development officer of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, said that waterways were the "motorways of the day" for trade and transport. Although the waterways were not sustainable as a transport network, they have left us a "legacy of a valuable ecosystem that we can enjoy".

Speaking on the sunlit deck of the Riasc barge, near Mespil Road, Mr Becker said: "If these wonderful amenities are to be passed on to our children, we need to protect them from pollution and thoughtless destruction."

Two men, who have had a close relationship with the Grand Canal, are brothers Paddy and Larry McGrath from Allenwood, Co Kildare.

They worked on the canals together for six years in the 1950s before the CIÉ closed the route.

"It was terrible disappointing when it closed because we were born and reared with it," said Paddy McGrath (72).