The Heritage Council has presented a series of recommendations to the Government on projects to improve Ireland's inland waterway network, including a proposed link between the Grand and Royal canals that is not influenced by the tide.
If Spencer Dock in Dublin remains under the control of the tide, it will prevent boats linking the canals because of difficulties and time delays involved in overcoming tidal patterns, it concludes. "For this reason, restoring the non-tidal navigation through Spencer Dock must be given high priority."
The council's waterways report recommends Lagan Navigation and Newry Canal restoration projects should be key priorities in any all-island waterway initiative. Restoration of the Ulster Canal would bring "enormous economic benefits" - especially in attracting boat users if reconstructed with a view to linking waterways such as the Shannon-Erne system.
Other recommendations include:
greater priority should be given to the possibilities of a midlands link between the Royal and Grand canals. It may be possible to link the Grand Canal at Kilbeggan with the Royal Canal in Mullingar via the River Brosna and Lough Ennell.
the four-mile Blackwood feeder into the Grand Canal could be restored without adversely affecting the ecology of Ballynafagh lake.
a proposal to extend the Erne Navigation System to Lough Oughter would require considerable dredging with consequent adverse effects on the ecology of the system. This tourism-related project "needs to be carefully assessed for its heritage implications".
the "Naas Branch" of the Grand Canal includes a very attractive lock-free stretch of rural waters, which could be revitalised by replacing a culverted road crossing near Naas in Co Kildare.
a proposal to link the inner lakes at Lough Ree in the Shannon system to the nearby village of Glassan should be subjected to an environmental impact assessment, such is their sensitivity and designation as a special area of conservation.
