While running trip-boats has not always been the way to wealth on Irish waterways, we must always be alert to new business opportunities arising from changing circumstances. Brexit, the impending departure of HM Realm from the European Union may offer one such opportunity for a tourism-related business on the Shannon–Erne Waterway, perhaps around Aghalane.
The old bridge at Aghalane (OSI ~1840)
Here, scenic boat trips could be provided. Of course not everybody likes long boat trips, so there could be a market for short trips, perhaps from one side of the Woodford River (which here constitutes the Shannon–Erne Waterway) to the other.
The new bridge at Aghalane
Such trips could feature in package tours, including flights into Ireland, accommodation and leisure activities. But the Irish tourism board (whatever it’s called nowadays) needs to open up new markets: these tours might be attractive to our fellow-EU citizens from Eastern Europe.
There is another possibility for development here, combining economic growth with humanitarianism. Ireland could offer to open refugee camps in the area, thus sharing the burden with Calais, Greece, Italy and other places currently accommodating these unfortunates. This would not be entirely selfless: there would be a stimulus to the local economy from the construction and operation of the camps. Should demand for camps along waterways exceed supply, the re-opening of the Clones Sheugh could be considered.
I regret that the north side of the river is blank on the modern OSI map; that area is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Irish waterways history 
In all seriousness, how is Waterways Ireland going to cope after Brexit? its staff will near passports to reach the Lower Bann
WI’s HQ is in Enniskillen. Although (AFAIK) the Lower Bann is managed from Carrick-on-Shannon, it would be relatively easy to reallocate responsibility to someone already within HM Realm.
bjg
Ah OK. But their staff will need passports to visit the Royal, Grand, Barrow and Shannon then ;)
Also, they will have no right to work in each other’s jurisdictions…
I have a 60′ paddle steamer that would be ideal for the crossing…lol!
? Booze cruises
There are so many ideas for exploiting tourism potential in this country But you may do it yourself before the tourist board will show any interest IE bag carrying boats for walkers from St Mullins to Shannon Harbour
Many years ago I worked for multinational companies that paid me more for a Sunday walk in the hills than I earned for my weeks labour Went to Failte Ireland for advise(not money) on how to set up walking holidays At the time they could not think beyond tour buses to Killarny One man laughed so hard at my idea that a big snot shot out of his nose and landed on the table That was the end of that
Now look at the walking market?? 700,000 people mostly women aged 45-55 one divorce behind them with lots of spare cash Pamper me time with a little culture thrown in
Regards Tommy
On Tue, Jul 4, 2017 at 10:13 AM, Irish waterways history wrote:
> bjg posted: “While running trip-boats has not always been the way to > wealth on Irish waterways, we must always be alert to new business > opportunities arising from changing circumstances. Brexit, the impending > departure of HM Realm from the European Union may offer one” >
Pingback: Goodbye Shannon–Erne Waterway? | Irish waterways history