A €20 million project to link the Ulster Canal between Clones and Clonfad in Co Monaghan has been officially opened by the Taoiseach.
Work on Phase Two of a restoration project that will eventually link Clones to Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh began in September 2022.
The canal is now open for navigation between Clonfad and Clones and there is a new marina and amenity area in Clones.
The project was completed by Waterways Ireland, a cross-border body established under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
It was funded by the Shared Island Fund, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government.
Taoiseach Simon Harris cut the ribbon to officially open the project and a new marina.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and several other Government ministers attended the ceremony along with Stormont's Minister for Infrastructure John O'Dowd.
In a statement in advance of the ceremony, the Taoiseach said the project clearly embodies the benefits of North-South cooperation.
"It is a project that symbolises peace and reconciliation on our island, one that will bring lasting benefits for generations to come.
"The restoration of the Ulster Canal demonstrates the huge focus that the Irish Government places on investing in large-scale, cross-border projects," he said.
Mr Martin has also welcomed the completion of phase two of the restoration.
"I established the Shared Island Initiative with the aim of fostering cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on our island.
"The Ulster Canal restoration project embodies what Shared Island is all about - communities working together for the betterment of the island for everyone who calls it home," he said.
Minister Heather Humphreys said today is "an absolutely wonderful day for the people of Clones, adding that it "really is a dream come true" and leaves "the dark days of the past behind".
"It's going to be full steam ahead, and we're going to move on to Phase Three now that Phase Two here at the marina in Clones is completed.
"This here is so important because this is a symbol of peace and reconciliation.
"This is about completely leaving all those dark days of the past behind us and looking to the future. And this is going to be a huge economic benefit to this region.
"It's going to bring tourists here for the water-based activities, initially, and when we join up with Castle Sanderson, we connect right into the Shannon Erne waterway system.
"The day will soon come when we hop on the boat here in Clones and we go the whole way to Limerick," the minister said.
Mr O'Dowd said the project has the potential to be transformational for the region, bringing opportunities for businesses by creating a new visitor destination.
When the Ulster Canal opened to commercial traffic in 1842 it passed through counties Fermanagh, Cavan, Monaghan, Tyrone, and Armagh.
The last trading boat using the canal was in 1929 and it closed officially in 1931.
The redevelopment project is being managed by Waterways Ireland and is being carried out in three phases.
Phase One which facilitated boat travel between Lough Erne and Castle Saunderson in Co Cavan, was completed in 2020.
The final stage, Phase Three, when complete, will link phases one and two, and fully reopen the waterway from Clones to Lough Erne.
Caolán Fox, a youth worker with Youth Work Ireland Cavan-Monaghan, said he is delighted to see the marina open and here at last.
"It's been a long time coming and we probably wondered if it was ever going to come. It's brilliant to have water back in Clones.
"As a youth worker here in the area, I know that that it calls to all of us, but it really calls to young people so strongly, particularly when the sun shines like today."
He believes it is a great opportunity to reintroduce how to use the water safely to the Clones community.
"Clones is very close to my heart, I’m from just outside the town. It’s a really special day, we had all the young people from the Youth Club here earlier, as well as young people from the local parish and church groups.
"It's just great to have them reconnected with their town, with their community, and have them feel this is their space, because there's a real need for open and outdoor spaces for young people."
Additional reporting Gail Conway
