Castlesaunderson moorings set for completion

The development of recreational amenities at Castlesaunderson, including a new moorings facility, is expected to be completed next month, The Anglo-Celt has learned.
Waterways Ireland is working with Cavan County Council on the project, which will dovetail with the almost €4 million worth of works carried out as part of the restoration of the Ulster Canal to date.
The public mooring at Castlesaunderson, once complete, is expected to cost in the region of €100,000; while Waterways Ireland anticipates expenditure of €160,000 to complete further works at nearby Derrykerrib.
Along with the recreational amenities and moorings, the first phase of the Ulster Canal restoration is now nearing completion.
That project concerned a 2.5km stretch of the canal from Upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the International Scout Centre at Castlesaunderson near Belturbet. Government funding for the project was approved in February 2015.
The works included dredging of the River Finn and the construction of a new navigation arch at Derrykerrib Bridge.
The second phase of the project will focus on the restoration of the Ulster Canal - Lough Erne to Clones. The 'Clones Terminus Project' is being developed with an anticipated cost of €433,000, 75% of which will be funded from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, with the balance funded by the Department of Enterprise.
The overall development is seen as important for the Border region with potential to stimulate economic activity, boosting jobs in the area of water-based tourism.
Phase II is currently in preparation for planning, with tenders under assessment for a feasibility study relating to a sustainable water supply and for a study relating to a master development plan for the proposed site.
Waterways Ireland is also continuing work with the partners Monaghan County Council, Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, East Border Region Ltd and Mid Ulster District Council to develop 22km of greenway along the Ulster Canal path from Smithborough, Co Monaghan to Middletown, Co Armagh, funded through the successful application to the Interreg VA sustainable transport measure. This is expected to cost in the region of €5 million to complete.
“Design work is ongoing in preparation for planning and the group have also completed development proposals for a Greenway strategy exploring how the Ulster Canal Greenway could form the spine of a network of off road Greenways across this rural border region,” the Department has said.