Commissioners Initially, the Irish parliament gave extensive powers to promoters and undertakers with a view to improving waterways in particular areas. An Act of the parliament passed in 1729 established four bodies of commissioners. In 1752, it constituted a corporation, the Commissioners for improving Inland Navigation with the object of promoting and carrying on inland navigation in Ireland. After 1772, it was given power to […]
Grand Canal The Grand Canal and Royal Canal are parallel waterways from Dublin to the Shannon. The Grand Canal was completed in 1811 and the Royal Canal in 1817. The Grand Canal Company was established in 1772 to ensure the future of the canal which by then had only been completed as to a relatively short stretch. A circular line to Dublin from Portobello to […]
Railway and Canal Commission Ultimately, the slowness of canal transport was too great a disadvantage. The lack of heavy and sustained mineral traffic, combined with physical disabilities confronting barge traffic, led to the erosion and disappearance of commercial traffic and virtual disappearance. The Railway and Canal Act 1888 established a Railway and Canal Commission of the United Kingdom. It amended the Railway and Canal Traffic Acts […]
Navigable Canals A number of the canals constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries are derelict. Some have been or are being restored. At present, the navigable canals are the Grand Canal, Royal Canal, Shannon and Erne Waterways, Erne System Barrow Navigation Lower Bann Navigation Jamestown Canal, Tralee Ship Canal. Transfer to OPW The Canals Act 1986 provided for the transfer of the Grand Canal […]
Background The history of the attempt to link Lough Erne to Shannon was troubled. Attempts were made to link the major waterways in the 18th century. In 1838 the Commissioners for Public Works commenced work on the Ulster Canal to provide a link to Lough Neagh. Work on the Ballinamore and Ballyconnell Canal commenced in 1846, financed by the office of public works. The canal […]