After cosmetic repairs, it was leased to William Dargan, who had built most of it as contractor, and ran the only significant carrying operation on the waterway. The Ulster Railway reached Monaghan in 1858, and three years later the canal was in a ruinous state. Sir John Macneill, the Irish railway engineer, suggested that the best use of it was to drain the water and let cows graze on it.
After cosmetic repairs, the canal was leased to William Dargan, who had built most of it as a contractor, and operated the only significant business on the waterway. The Ulster Railway reached Monaghan in 1858, and three years later the canal was in poor condition. Sir John Macneill, an Irish railway engineer, suggested that the best use for the canal was to drain the water and let cows graze on it.