Report on feasibility of Kildare waterway project expected
Corbally Harbour
THE re-opening of the Corbally Canal in Naas has been on the agenda in recent times.
At the most recent full meeting of Kildare County Council (KCC), cllr Seamie Moore motioned “that the council declares that the Corbally Canal re-opening at Jigginstown, Naas has been included in its 2027 Work Programme and that a Feasibility Study of its undertaking will be obtained during 2027 to guide that objective.”
A report issued in response by Alan Dunney, director of services for planning, enterprise, economic development and emergency services at KCC, stated: “The Corbally Canal and Liffey Corridor Enhancement Feasibility Study Report is in the final stages of completion which (at the request of the elected members) includes a Quantity Surveyor's report outlining costs for various elements.”
Mr Dunney’s report further detailed that the quantity surveyor’s report is undergoing environmental screening at present, and once this is completed, the report will be published and circulated to the councillors.
The statement added “it is not possible to determine or confirm, at this stage, that the Corbally Canal reopening at Jigginstown, Naas would be included in the 2027 Work Programme however, the feasibility report will be used for future funding applications".
This development comes after cllr Moore brought the topic up at the December meeting of Naas Municipal District (MD). Cllr Moore – who serves as the cathaoirleach for the MD – referred to a recent visit of over 30 boating vessels to Naas Canal Harbour where they were unable to access the Corbally Canal beyond the Jigginstown Road culvert.
At that point, Cllr Moore stated that “the elected members of Naas Municipal District now again seek to have suitable Consultants undertake a study to evaluate the cost and necessary engineering inputs that will be required to open this 8.5 kilometre waterway to boating and water sports enthusiasts for the future 50,000 population of Naas and an area catchment of 125,000.”
A report issued by senior executive planner Jeremy Ward in response to Cllr Moore’s motion at that meeting in December said that KCC “sees the great value to the Corbally Canal and Naas of the proposed Newbridge Road Corbally Canal Bridge Feasibility study to opening the Corbally Canal”.
That report added that “the proposed Bridge Feasibility Study is not presently funded or on the Planning Department’s Work Programme. Kildare County Council will work with Waterways Ireland to explore whether a joint Bridge Feasibility Study project can be progressed to use as a basis for future bids for Waterways Ireland/ national funding.”
A post on KCC’s website in November 2024 announced a survey for the public to help the council develop its "understanding of the Corbally Canal between Naas and Corbally Harbour, and the River Liffey corridor between Newbridge, Athgarvan and Kilcullen, and the way that it might be developed in the future as a recreational project.”
The council further detailed at that stage that it was looking into the provision of a recreational trail between Naas, Newbridge and Kilcullen via the Corbally Canal and the River Liffey Valley. It also said that Corbally Canal and Harbour area could be developed as a Blueway “if it meets strict criteria”.
