Dublin Canals

Dublin has two canals, the Royal Canal which is north of the River Liffey and the Grand Canal which is to the south.

The Royal Canal was approved in 1790 as a means of transport for freight and passengers across Ireland and was finished in 1817. It starts at the Liffey River in Dublin and travels 145km to the Shannon River at Cloondara. Along the way there are 46 locks. Most of the locks are still in good working order 200 years later. This canal is currently being repaired and will open to small craft next year.

In 1790, a disgruntled director of the Grand Canal Company decided to built another canal through the midlands to the River Shannon, though it was not feasible for the country to support two canals. This became the Grand Canal, south of the river. The last boat sailed on the canal in 1960.

Below are some pictures of the Grand Canal in Dublin 4. This area is about a 15 minute walk from us and is very picturesque. Unfortunately being in such an urban area it has lots of rubbish in it. It is very shallow in parts and many homes back right onto the canal and some are less than a meter from the water level. Its a pretty spot to walk or run along the banks.