In the last 15 years of the 20th century, Ireland was in the forefront of European efforts to restore long-abandoned canals for their economic, heritage, tourist, recreational and environmental value. After the successful reopening of the Shannon-Erne Waterway (formerly Ballinamore & Ballyconnell Canal) in 1994, attention turned to the Royal Canal, which should be fully restored by about 2006. History was made in 1999, when the British-Irish Agreement Act was signed. This set up Waterways Ireland (along with five other North/South bodies). We are therefore presenting here the entire network, including the waterways north of the border. Waterways Ireland took over the responsibilities previously held by the waterways service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in Dublin and the Rivers Agency (Department of Agriculture) in Northern Ireland.

Information about the network : http://www.waterwaysireland.org