Clones Marina construction to begin next week

Work on the next phase of the Ulster Canal project will commence on Monday.

Contractors are expected to move on the site of the planned new marina in Clones to begin work.

€40 million was announced in July for phase two, which includes the Clones marina and the restoration of 1km of the historic but derelict canal.

The investment forms part of the major cross border project with hopes the canal can be fully reopened from Castle Saunderson to Clones over the coming years.

Phase one saw the reopening of the waterway from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson. Work there was finished in 2019 at a cost of €3 million.

Work on phase two begins on Monday. A 42-berth marina will be built next to the Canal Stores on the Cavan Road out of Clones. Works are expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Monaghan County Council says the Canal Walkway from the Scotshouse Road to the playground carpark at the Canal Stores will be closed for the duration of the Marina construction.

Cabinet last month also gave the go-ahead for planning work on phase three, the 13.5km of restored canal linking the other two sections. This would see the waterway fully reopened from Clones to Lough Erne.