Shannon-Erne Canal
The Shannon-Erne Canal ( English Shannon-Erne Waterway , Irish Uiscebhealach na Sionainne-na hÉirne ) is a connecting canal between the Shannon in the Republic of Ireland and the River Erne , which mainly flows through Northern Ireland or County Fermanagh. It is managed by the Waterways Ireland company. This company, the navigation authority, is the only joint administration of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, that is, of the entire island, which emerged from the "Good Friday Agreement" .
The shipping lane, formerly called Ballinamore & Ballyconnell Canal, has a total length of 63 km. It has 16 locks between Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim and Lake Upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh .
The canal started operating in 1860, but was a complete economic failure and was in fact closed again as early as 1869. After extensive repairs, the canal was officially reopened on May 23, 1994 at Corraquill Lock in County Fermanagh . The Ulster Canal once ran from the Quivvy Waters on Lough Erne to Lough Neagh. There are plans to revitalize this canal again. Work is already in progress up to Castle Saunderson.
Together with the River Shannon, the Erne Lakes and the Grand Canal , as well as the Royal Canal, the canal forms the largest houseboat area in Europe. The leisure captains have more than 1000 km of connected waterways at their disposal. A driver's license is not required. On the Grand Canal from Athy you can also sail the River Barrow . However, you should only use a narrowboat there .
