The Newry canal is the oldest summit level canal in the British Isles. It was an ambitious project but as a commercially viable operation its lifespan was short. A railway right alongside the canal for almost its entire length became the preferred method of shifting freight.

20th century.

In modern times the canal was ignored by all but a few dedicated campaigners who fought to protect it from the developers shovel. Plans to use it as a motorway and a carpark in the centre of Newry were thwarted by the Canal Preservation Society and the waterway was eventually left alone to deteriorate and return to nature. Then in the late 1990s attempts were made to have it re-opened by applying for massive public grants. All efforts failed to restore the navigation but they did succeed in restoring the towpath for public use. This now forms an 18 mile long country walk and cycle path between Newry and Portadown that is used by thousands of people every year.

The future

"As a person who has arrived into Newry by boat from the Irish Sea I am determined to one day arrive into Newry by boat from Portadown. Why not join the branch and help us with our aims."

Geraldine Foley round the world sailor.