According to the Irish Times, writing about Clones:
[…] But people are trying hard to turn the tide: cleaning its buildings, promoting its hand-made lace, and hoping that the Monaghan part of the Ulster Canal will be re-opened.
The latter was a promise of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Clones is endearingly resistant to trends – it is still the proud capital of Irish country and western music although some admit that the best dancehall is Blacklion’s “ballroom of romance”.
I think Clones must be the last town in Ireland to cling to Bertie’s word.
Oh well, if Bertie says so ….
Irish waterways history 