Â鶹Éç

A network of canals was built around the UK during the Industrial Revolution for the transport of raw materials. The growth of rail and road transport saw the use of canals go into decline. Recently canals have been redeveloped for the leisure and tourism industry. Now with increasing pollution and traffic congestion being attributed to road haulage, companies are looking at alternative means of transport. Watch the following clips about the canal network in Northern Ireland.  Find out about how a canal near you was used in the past and if possible visit it to see a boat passing through a set of locks.

• Â鶹Éç Primary Focus: Canals: Use of Canals
• Â鶹Éç Primary Focus: Canals: Newry Canal
• Â鶹Éç Primary Focus: Canals: Lagan Canal
• Â鶹Éç Primary Focus: Canals: Ulster Canal
• Â鶹Éç Primary Focus: Canals: Shannon-Erne Waterway
• Â鶹Éç Primary Focus: Canals: Go with the Flow: Lisburn weir and Canal

Watch the following clips about the rejuvenation of canals in England. Discuss with the class the possibilities of redeveloping the canal network in Northern Ireland. Compile a list of the pros and cons of such an initiative.

• Â鶹Éç News Story [Flash Video]
• Â鶹Éç News Story [Real Media Video]
• Â鶹Éç News Story: [Real Media Video]
• Â鶹Éç News Story: [Real Media Video]
• Â鶹Éç News story: [article]
• Â鶹Éç Primary Focus: Canals:  s [PDF]  

Download a PDF version of this unit