A five-year scheme to reopen the former Limerick Park Canal linking the city's university area to the Shannon, is to feature as a prime example of waterside regeneration at an evaluation of EU funded projects in Lille, France this week.
The reopening of the canal which has been derelict for more than 70 years is to be the centre piece of the city's waterside regeneration project and will open up a 25 hectare site for amenity use from the old medieval quarter at King's Island to the university and technology park at Plassey.
The one kilometre canal will also make navigation possible between Plassey and the network of inland waterways linking the Shannon with Dublin Waterford and Enniskillen.
Funded by the EU Interreg North West Europe programme the canal project is being seen as a shining example of the European Water In Historic Cities scheme. The scheme promotes the regeneration of old canals which can be used as "a catalyst for the redevelopment and revitalisation of small city centres.
"Old waterways often run through the centre of cities where land is at a premium but is often poorly utilised and Limerick's kilometre long Park Canal and surroundings is a prime example" said a spokeswoman for Interreg.
According to Limerick City Council the area was long considered uneconomic in terms of development potential. "It is only as a result of the visionary Riverside City development and dedicated funding that it has been possible to think of reviving this link" said Mr Kieran Reeves a spokesman for the council.
