For many years our canal system has been neglected but now a new era is dawning - and the true value of the ribbons of man-made waterway is being recognised at last.
Last week in Longford, a very special "user forum" was held, where there was a call to have the Royal Canal linked to the Shannon and to Longford.
The forum, the first of four such events to be arranged by the Heritage Council, comes after the publication last summer of the council's report on the future of Ireland's waterways.
Michael Starrett, chief executive of the Heritage Council, said this paper called for a dedicated authority to manage all aspects of the inland waterways.
He explained that the paper argued that this authority should replace the current system, where a multiplicity of government departments and other agencies had led to a lack of cohesion.
Since that forum took place the prospect of a 32-county cross-Border body on waterways has become a reality with the establishment of the Northern Executive.
"This is wonderful news because what we have been seeking is about to happen. We already have a cross-Border link between the Shannon and Erne and a high level of co-operation," Mr Starrett said.
"Now there is also the prospect of the opening of the Ulster Canal, which will link Lough Neagh and Lough Erne, and this will have enormous tourism potential," he said. It had been mooted that the new cross-Border authority might be based in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, but that had not been decided.
Mr Starrett said the new arrangements should ensure that the economic and heritage potential of the waterways would find greater appreciation with communities.
"The waterways should be seen as an integral, not a fringe aspect of local life, with their rich wildlife and landscape value. Everything which has happened in recent times brings us closer to that," he said.
Dealing with the restoration of the Royal Canal, Mr Starrett said that carried out in a sensitive way and taking account of sound environmental practices, the restored canal could serve as a multi-use tourism resource for the region.
If properly carried out, it would also ensure than an important link with the area's past was also preserved.
The forum was told that the canal restoration has been proceeding very slowly for the last 25 years and around £10 million had been spent. However, there was general consensus that until the restoration is completed through to the Shannon, the return on that investment over the years will be minimal.
Mr Starrett said the restoration work being carried out on the Royal Canal was among the most significant waterways projects in progress and the council was anxious that the pace of restoration be maintained.
He said the benefits of linking the canal to the Shannon were manifold. In enlarging the access for Shannon craft to the canal network, the project would greatly increase the use of the waterways as tourist and leisure facilities in the midland area.
He also welcomed management proposals for the Lough Ree and Derg catchment areas and said that in the absence of adequate management of the catchment, the overall environment would continue to decline, to the detriment of both our heritage and quality of life.
He said the Heritage Council hoped that each local authority concerned would commit itself to implementing the management proposals and provide the resources required. In turn, this would require a commitment from both central Government and individuals.