Waterways Ireland launch ambitious 10 Year Plan

Waterways Ireland, the navigational authority for the inland navigable waterways, has launched its 10 Year Plan, which seeks to deliver on the enhancement, restoration and conservation of Ireland’s waterways, greenways and blueways.

Covering 1,100km of canals, rivers and lakes as well as over 600km of cycleways and trails by waterscapes, Waterways Ireland plays a significant role in creating value for the public good – through providing increased economic, social and environmental benefits.

This ambitious 10 Year Plan provides strategic vision for re-imagining historic waterways, greenways and blueways to make them more sustainable and accessible while offering enhanced recreational opportunities for users, including watersports, angling, cycling, walking, boating and more.

Over a million people live within 10 kilometres of a waterway, meaning there is great potential for more people to enjoy these recreational opportunities.

The long-term vision will be supported by an initial investment of around €200 million in funding over the first three years of a ten year cycle.

This investment will facilitate a number of ambitious plans that will restore, enhance and further develop the network of waterways, green and blueways across the island of Ireland, while creating attractive visitor experiences on canals, rivers and walking and cycling trails for locals and visitors alike.

Waterways Ireland CEO John McDonagh states: “We have established a significant number of opportunities in this 10-year plan to transform and enhance Ireland’s waterways, greenways and blueways into attractive visitor experiences for locals and tourists alike, while providing added economic, social and environmental benefit to these local communities.

“We want to encourage more people to use our waterways and natural amenities, while conserving the cultural heritage to ensure future generations enjoy everything our waterways have to offer.”

One of the key investment and development opportunities is the redevelopment of Dublin Docklands and the canals running directly through the capital city, designed to bring these areas to a standard seen in other European capitals.

This will mean the public are able to enjoy both the waterside facilities and amenities, as well as broader water-based activities in central urban locations.

Outside of Dublin, one of the largest engineering feats ever undertaken by the organisation is the development of the Ulster Canal – a 14km distance that will see the creation of a new canal that will result in a new marina within Clones, Co Monaghan.

The project, which is currently in phase two and expected to reach completion in 2028, will receive €120 million in capital funding and create 100 indirect jobs as part of the project.

Sustainability is a central element of this plan, ensuring the future viability of these amenities for local communities and recreational users for years to come, while preserving the local natural habitats for wildlife, flora and fauna.

The 10 Year Plan provides a directional pathway that looks to enhance and upgrade these amenities for the public good in a manner that is harmonious with the surrounding environments, supports the ecological integrity, while promoting biodiversity and eco-friendly practices.

Waterways refers to the inland lakes, rivers and canals that traverse our country.

Greenways are recreational, off-road routes for walkers, cyclists and other non-motorised transport.

Blueway refers to a network of trails and walkways running on and alongside Ireland’s most idyllic lakes, canals and rivers.

Waterways Ireland is a cross-border body accountable to the North South Ministerial Council under the 1998 British-Irish Agreement.

The organisation is headquartered in Enniskillen and has satellite offices in Dublin, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Scarriff.

Its staff are deployed across the management, maintenance, development and promotion of over 1,000kms of inland navigable waterways.