Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/30/029

Address :
Albert Basin Newry Canal Newry Co Down

Townland:
Lisdrumliska

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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

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OS Map No:
266/7 SW

IG Ref:
J0860 2570

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Owner Category

Exterior Description And Setting

Large open basin at north end of Newry ship canal, on the south side of town. Banks pitched in places with dressed granite blocks. Quay along west side coped with concrete. Cast-metal bollards along this side inscribed ‘John Graham Dromore Contractors’. All canal-related buildings now demolished save for coal-related structures at south end. Some recent soil dumping at south-east end.

Architects

Rennie, John

Historical Information

Built in connection with the extension of the ship canal to Upper Fathom, 1842-50, under the direction of Sir John Rennie. This extension provided a navigable channel between Carlingford Lough and Newry. The existing canal (built 1765 as an extension of the 1740s' canal) entered the Newry River at Lower Fathom, 3 km south of the town, but as the tidal channel 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. The basin was created at the same time as the canal extension and opened April 1850. Vessels up to 500 tons could now reach the town, rather than having to tranship at Warrenpoint. Named after Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Rail line extended from Edward Street to siding along west perimeter of basin in 1855. Cattle pens at north-west side; also warehouses at north east side in vicinity of Dublin Bridge Station. 1861 valuation map shows that the portion at south-east end not yet dug. Now in use for recreational purposes. Primary Sources: 1. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 12E/125/1/22. Secondary Sources: 2. J. Rennie (1851), 'On the improvement of the navigation of the River Newry', in Proc. Institution Civil Engineers, vol.10, pp 277-93.

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Large open basin, banks pitched in places with dressed granite blocks. An integral part of the Newry canal, the first summit level canal in Britain and Ireland, this basin was an important feature of the townscape and the largest such canal basin in Ulster.

General Comments

Date of Survey

17 August 1997