Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/29/026

Address :
Newry Canal Newry Co Down

Townland:
Drumalane

---

Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Canal Structure

Former Use
Canal Structure

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
Yes

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:

Derelict:
No

---

OS Map No:
266/11 NW

IG Ref:
J0863 2520

---

Owner Category

Exterior Description And Setting

Wide stretch of open water embanked on east side.

Architects

Rennie, John

Historical Information

The ship canal provided a navigable channel between Carlingford Lough and Newry and was built 1842-50 under the direction of Sir John Rennie. The original ship canal (built 1765 as an extension of the 1740s' canal from Newry to Lough Neagh), of which this is a stretch, entered the Newry River at Lower Fathom, 3 km south of the town. However, as the tidal channel downstream of these locks was prone to silting, large boats could not be accommodated. The canal was therefore extended 2.5 km to enter a deeper section of the river at Victoria Locks in Upper Fathom townland. Now used for recreational purposes. References J. Rennie (1851), 'On the improvement of the navigation of the River Newry', in Proc. Institution Civil Engineers, vol.10, pp 277-93. PRONI VAL 12E/125/1/22. W.A. McCutcheon (1980), The industrial archaeology of Northern Ireland (Belfast: HMSO).

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An integral part of the Newry canal, the first summit level canal in Britain and Ireland, the ship canal was of particular economic benefit to the town during the later 19th and early 20th centuries.

General Comments

See also HB16/30/029 (Albert Basin)

Date of Survey

25 September 1997