th<\/sup> century. In 1838 the Commissioners for Public Works commenced work on the Ulster Canal to provide a link to Lough Neagh.<\/p>\nWork on the Ballinamore and Ballyconnell Canal commenced in 1846, financed by the office of public works.\u00a0 The canal was opened in 1858.\u00a0 Management was to be by a group of navigation trustees and drainage trustees. The canal was a commercial failure.<\/p>\n
The Cavan & Leitrim Railway line was constructed in this area in 1887 and they were sufficiently confident that the canal would not be used that low bridges were constructed over the canal. The canal fell into disrepair in the early part of the 20th<\/sup> century.\u00a0 It lay moribund until the 1960s when moves were made to restore it for pleasure boating.<\/p>\n<\/span>Reopening Proposed<\/span><\/h3>\nIn the late 1980s, the reopening of canal was adopted as a flagship cross-border project.\u00a0 The powers of the original trustees, which had passed to the local authorities were transferred to the OPW.<\/p>\n
Works were undertaken between November 1990 and May 1994, creating a new navigation along the line of the original waterway, which had never been properly completed.<\/p>\n
The Shannon-Erne Waterway links the River Shannon to the River Erne, over 63 kilometres.\u00a0 It was officially reopened in 1994.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Shannon Navigation Act<\/span><\/h3>\nThe Shannon Navigation Act 1990 provided for making a better provision for Shannon Navigation including the transfer of the Ballinamore and Ballyconnell Navigation to the OPW\u00a0 and rovides for its restoration and maintenance.<\/p>\n
The Commissioners were given extensive powers generally in relation to Shannon Navigation.\u00a0 The Shannon Navigation legislation stretched back to 1839 Act.\u00a0 The Commissioners\u2019 powers were extended in relation to drawing water, dredging, deepening, repairing navigations in channel, removing obstructions, constructing harbours quays, navigation aids etc., prohibiting the construction of bridges, ways et cetera., acquiring land.<\/p>\n