Lagan Canal Trust - Working Together for Restoration

Seal spotting …

jshanks — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:58:36 +0000

Has anyone else spotted Sammy the Seal? Latest sighting of a seal has been reported via this website on Wednesday 7 December. He/She? was spotted in the River Lagan, near Lambeg/Ballyskeagh. Let us know if there are any further sightings….

Strategic Awareness Event

jshanks — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:42:00 +0000

Back Row: Brenda Turnbull, Peter Scott, Mark Bentley. Front Row: Jennifer Shanks, Marcus Malley, Theresa Donaldson, Chris Harper.

The remains of the Lagan Navigation is one of Northern Irelands best assets as it passes through Belfast City, Castlereagh, Lisburn City and Craigavon, traverses through rolling countryside and picturesque villages entering Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles.

Attractions along the navigation include its 27 locks, which are all scheduled monuments, as well as the many and varied road bridges and lock keepers cottages. The legacy of the Lagan Canal can also be discovered in the mills built alongside this great transport route.

Alongside the fascinating built heritage there exists a wealth of natural heritage to be experienced and discovered, all coming together to create one of the best assets that Northern Ireland can boast.

The aim of the Trust is to achieve the re-opening and revitalisation of the Lagan Canal and its corridor – in ways which conserve and enhance the built and natural heritage, maximise recreational and tourism opportunities, involve and benefit the local communities and their visitors and contribute to the local and regional economies.

On Wednesday 12^th October the Lagan Canal Restoration Trust held their annual Strategic Awareness Event. Leaving from Antrim Marina aboard The Maid of Antrim, guests of the Trust were introduced to the history of the Lough and the aims of the Trust. Guests included Michelle McIlveen MLA, Craigavon Borough Council Chief Executive Dr Theresa Donaldson, Deputy Mayor of Craigavon Councillor George Savage and Mayor of Castlereagh Jim White. Guests were greeted by Erskine Holmes OBE, Brian Cassells OBE, and members of the Board of Trustees and officers.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

jshanks — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:38:39 +0000

In October 2011, the Trust commissioned URS Scott Wilson to carry out a preliminary Strategic Environmental Assessment on the 27 miles shown on the map (shown left) from Belfast Harbour to Lough Neagh. In order to more clearly define the Navigation and the potential impacts and opportunities along the route, a buffer of 1.5 miles either side of the canal is being used. This will also enable the completion of the Business Case. Both pieces of work will reach first draft stage in March 2012.

If you have any information on your family’s personal or business experiences which could contribute to a better understanding of life along the route please let us know.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 09:48:05 +0000

The Lagan Canal Restoration Trust will hold its’ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on 20 September 2011, at 10 am in the Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast

Canal Restoration & Conservation Strategy

JoanneL — Fri, 20 May 2011 08:29:17 +0000

The Lagan Canal Restoration Trust is planning to produce a Canal Restoration & Conservation Strategy. We have contacted the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to ask them for a screening determination for a Strategic Environmental Assessment. NIEA agree that the proposed Lagan Canal Restoration Strategy could be likely to have significant environmental effects and would benefit from adopting the Strategic Environmental Assessment process.

A full copy of the determination from NIEA is attached and this same document is also available for inspection at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island, Craigavon, BT66 6NJ on Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Lagan Canal Restoration and Conservation Strategy – Screen…

Joe Mahon Launches Lagan Canal Guide

Cathyb — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:41:29 +0000

The official launch of the Lagan Canal Guide will took place at Lisburn Civic Centre, Lagan Valley Island on Friday 11th February.

Mr Joe Mahon of Lesser Spotted Ulster fame presidedover the event which was attended by the Lagan Canal Restoration Trust staff, board members and partners.

Cathy Burns, Lagan Canal Restoration Trust Manager, said “the launch of this innovative visitor guide is coming at a very exciting time for the Lagan Canal and the Trust as the campaign gathers a pace towards restoration. For the first time this Guide offers visitors details of all there is to see and do along the Canal and we hope that it encourages many more visitors and local people to take the opportunity to get out and experience the hidden gem that is the Lagan Canal.

LCRT Board & Joe Mahon

Trust Staff & Joe Mahon

NEW! GUIDE to the LAGAN CANAL

JoanneL — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:37:46 +0000

The first ever comprehensive, free visitor’s guide to the Lagan Canal has been developed.

‘A Guide to the Lagan Canal, Past, Present and Future’ provides a wealth of information on the Canal’s heritage, geography, wildlife and environment along the Canal from Belfast to Lough Neagh. It includes fascinating facts on the current activities, places of interest, suggested family days out and themed visits waiting to be discovered along the towpath for both visitors and locals alike.

The Guide also includes stories of those who lived and worked along the Canal while also looking to the future as it contains information on the plans for restoration and the vision to reopen the entire navigation once again.

The guide is available to download here: Guide to the Lagan Canal

Copies are also available from tourist information centres, local civic centres and visitor venues throughout the region. Alternatively you can contact the Lagan Canal Trust office for a copy.

“For the first time this Guide offers visitors details of all there is to see and do along the Canal and we hope that it encourages many more visitors and local people to take the opportunity to get out and experience the hidden gem that is the Lagan Canal.” Cathy Burns LCRT Manager

This guide was made possible through funding secured from Lagan Rural Partnership and Axis 3 (Rural Life) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme and the Lagan Canal Restoration Trust.

First Annual General Meeting Held

Cathyb — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:45:27 +0000

The Lagan Canal Restoration Trust held its first annual meeting on the 5th October. The event was well attended by the Trust partners and members. Attendees heard of the achievments of the Trust from August 2009 to August 2010.

Click here to view the Annual Report 2010

The Sun Shines on National Trails Day!

JoanneL — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:46:18 +0000

As part of National Trails Day the Lagan Canal Restoration Trust held a towpath trail on Sunday 3rd October from Lock 12 (Lisburn Civic Centre) to Union Locks. There were walkers from Aghagallon Walking Club, boaters from the Lagan Branch of the IWAI and canoeists from Lisburn Paddlers Club. The walkers started off down the towpath while the boaters and canoeists followed along the canal with the intention of all meeting for refreshments at the site of Union Locks, Lisburn. During the course of the walk Cathy Burns (Trust Manager) delivered an informative talk to those present covering the heritage of the Lagan Canal and vision for restoration.

The sun shone continuously and after tea, sandwiches and a wee bun, everyone headed back along the same route towards the Civic Centre once again. A great day was had by all and on behalf of the Lagan Canal Trust Cathy Burns would like to thank the Countryside Access and Activities Network and all those who participated in the event for National Trails Day.

Lagan Canal Lisburn

National Trails Day Partcipants

Lisburn Paddlers

Event Held at Lock 3

Cathyb — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:19:53 +0000

Members of the Lagan Branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and the Lagan Canal Trust held an information evening at Lock 3 and the Lock -Keepers cottage at Newforge. The members were given a guided tour of the newly refurbished visitor centre, cottage and lock by the Landscape Partnership Manager Brendan O’Connor. Details were given of the process to restore lock 3 on the Lagan Canal including repairs to orginal stonework and installation of new lock gates.

The project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, DCAL and Castlereagh Borough Council.

IWAI Lagan Branch Members at Lock 3

For more information see http://www.laganvalley.co.uk/