Ulster Canal Greenway (2012 – 2021)
The development of a canal system in Ireland began in 1729. This was to allow the transportation of coal between the port of Newry and the coalfields of Tyrone. The Ulster Canal began construction in 1827 and its goal was to link Lough Neagh and Lough Erne and opened in 1841. It was never a success. Narrow canal locks, leakage and poor water supply plagued this waterway and its never-ending financial and technical woes led to its closure in 1931.
Today, the Ulster Canal has the potential to transform Co. Monaghan with the creation of a Greenway along its route. Flynn Furney Environmental Consultants are delighted to have worked on all phases of this project in Counties Monaghan and Fermanagh. In 2012, Monaghan County Council engaged us to carry out an Ecological Impact Assessment on Co. Monaghan’s first Greenway – 4.5km along the Ulster Canal in Monaghan Town. In 2017, we carried out several detailed surveys over 28km of proposed Greenway from Smithborough to Middletown in Co. Armagh. In partnership with Clandillon Civil Consulting (CCC), we completed an Ecological Impact Assessment, an Appropriate Assessment Screening and Environmental Impact Assessment Screening for this second phase. In 2021, we were delighted to be appointed – again with C3 – to undertake the assessments for Phase III, from Clones to Smithborough.
Also in 2021, we began working with Doran Consulting on the environmental assessments for the construction of the Ulster Canal Marina at Clones. The Ulster Canal is coming back to life, although not as any of the original builders could have foreseen. We’re delighted to be part of its story!