A historic building on the Northern Ireland border has been restored following assistance EU cross border funding from to bring the Ulster Canal Stores building in Clones back into use.
The Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development writes:
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA today attended the official opening of the Ulster Canal Stores building in Clones, County Monaghan. The Minister jointly officiated at the event with Minister Heather Humphreys TD, the south’s minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Speaking at the opening Minister O’Neill said: ‘My Department’s involvement in providing £240,000 funding towards the Clones Erne East Blackwater project and the regeneration of the Ulster Canal Stores is a practical example of how greater cross-border collaboration and integration can create a thriving and sustainable economy and environment for our rural communities.
‘Not only has this initiative supported growth in rural enterprise, it has also developed new and enhanced tourism and recreational facilities to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The work on the Ulster Canal Stores is symbolic of what has been achieved. It’s great to see the original, historic structure of this important building merged with the modern design. This building is a tremendous asset to the social economy of the Erne East hinterland and Clones.’
The Ulster Canal Stores building in Clones was originally built during the early 1840s and was a distribution centre for goods transported on the Ulster Canal. The building has been completely refurbished to include a modern bistro, local crafts and lace displays and meeting space. The initiative was part-financed by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Cross-border Programme and DARD.
