A similar attempt at regenerating a
particular area, ironically also challenged hy
railways, is under way in Clones. Currently,
the series of canals around the area - which
historically linked Clones with Lough Erne,
Lough Neagh and the greater Shannon
region - has fallen into disrepair. These
waterways became obsolete when the
railways came along, as no one needed to
transport goods along a canal any more.
However, Clones Regeneration Partnership
Ltd is attempting to open what was once the
Ulster Canal, in a bid to hring much-needed
business, tourism and population to the
town.
The partnership's project coordinator,
Gerry Darhy, is confident of the boost to
the local economy that local regeneration
would hring. "Four or five years ago, the
southern government proposed to fund €34
million to regenerate the canal system," he
says. "That would get the canal from Lough
Erne right into Clones hack up and running,
right in the middle of the town. Essentially,