Contents:
Events Calendar
Belturbet Town
Branch History
Ballinamore-Ballyconnell
Canal
Lough Erne
European Wanderings
Out and About
Overseas Tourist Information
1994 Cruising Guide
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A Cruising Guide and Anthology of the Ballinamore
- Ballyconnell Canal
Published by the Erne-Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Rally Committee
1994
for the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland
Preface
The dream has come true at last.
The Ballinamore/Ballyconnell has been restored and Ireland's two great inland waterways, the Erne and the Shannon
have now been linked together to create one of the most superb cruising grounds in Europe.
It is interesting to recall that the scheme to link the two waterways was first mooted in 1780 under the auspices
of Grattan's Parliament. Construction finally got under way in 1845. it was completed in 1860 and was never a success
and lay derelict for more than a century. This is underlined by the discouraging commentary of a Mr.J.G.Porter
who was one of the last people to sail through the old canal and left us with this plaintive summary of his efforts
to navigate the waterway:
"my coming through it is no proof of it's navigability, for it took me three weeks to get through"
To-day,it would only take two or three days to navigate the entire lengh,39 miles,of the restored canal,if anyone
were foolish to rush along at such an unseemly and unrewarding pace. The overwhelming majority of today's travellers
will,I am sure,follow a time scale more like that of Mr.Porter and take time to traverse the canal in a leisurely
fashion,dallying and savouring the beauty and tranquility of this remote area,visiting the attractive local towns
and villages and taking part in their social life as they pass through some of the most unspoilt countryside in
all of Europe.
The restoration of this canal was an ambitious and far-seeing undertaking. It called for brilliant engineering
in the design and constuction,imaginative solutions to difficult problems,persistance and determination and a comprehensive
level of co-operation from a wide variety of agencies and individuals.
The restoration of the canal was carried out in accordance with the best ecological advice available. Valuable
wet lands along the canal,important to migratory wild fowl and breeding waders,were protected.Great care was taken
to protect vital spawning beds and coarse river fishing will be improved in the deeper and more permanent waters;vegetation
along the canal banks were preserved in order to provide essential cover for the elusive otter;sites of special
botanical interest and even nesting sites on the old stone bridges were all carefully retained.
All this diligent care for the natural environment will now be amply rewarded by the variety of natural beauty
and fascinating wildlife preserved for the appreciation of all those fortunate enough to make their way along this
enchanting waterway.
The coming into operation of this restored link is immensely symbolic. it will be seen by many as a symbol of better
human realtions,of unity and friendship.traveling by water is one of the earliest traditions of the people of this
island. This waterway will undoubtedly bring the people of the entire region closer together and provide a new
route along which they can travel to meet each other.
It also symbolises North/South co-operation and represents one of the most ambitious cross-border projects to be
undertaken in recent years. I am sure that in the years ahead there will be many reports from travellers who will
follow the way the intrepid Mr.Porter went so many years ago but will give a totally different account of their
journeys;descriptions of languid days spent exploring and relaxing;of delightful cruising through countrysides
of great natural beauty with fine hostelries and excellent facilities and amenities along the way;of the lively
cultural and social life enjoyed by the people of the local communities.
Who I wonder will be the first to take on a great cruise from Belleek and the winding banks of the Erne,down the
Lordly Shannon and the Goodly Barrow all the way to the sea at waterford ,or the other way around?.
I wish all those who will cruise the united Shannon/Erne Waterway an abundance of that unique kind of happiness,contentment
and pleasant relaxation that only cruising along an inland waterway can bring.
Charles J.Haughey.
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