The History of the Grand Canal

The nightmare experienced cutting through the Bog of Allen is well documented, but the experience has proven to be invaluable teaching material for construction engineers in later centuries.

1751-1756 image

1751-1756

Establishment of the Commisioners of Inland Navigations. In 1756 work commenced on the Grand Canal Scheme.
1751
1773 image

1773

A year after the Company of the Undertakers of the Grand Canal was incorporated the foundation stone of the 1st lock on the Grand Canal in Dublin was laid by Earl Harcourt and work began on the city sections.
1773
1780-1785 image

1780-1785

The first passage boat began to ply to Sallins. In 1784 the passage boat service was extended to Robertstown. By 1785 the Barrow Line of the canal was completed to Monasterevin.
1780
1789-1790 image

1789-1790

In 1789 the Kildare Canal Company completed a branch canal to Naas. The following year work began on the Circular Line in Dublin and it was completed to Portobello.
1790
1791-1798 image

1791-1798

The Barrow Line to Athy was completed in 1791 while the Circular Line and Ringsend Docks were opened in 1791. By 1798 when the Main Line of the canal was completed to Tullamore 375 trade boats and 10 passenger boats were operating on the canal.
1791
1803-1804 image

1803-1804

The canal was completed to the Shannon but staunching problems delayed the opening. The first trade boat passed through the canal from the Shannon in 1804
1803
1808-1810 image

1808-1810

The Grand Canal Company purchased the Naas Branch in 1808. The Naas Branch was completed to Corbally in 1810.
1808
1824-1828 image

1824-1828

Work began on the Ballinasloe Branch in 1824 and the Mountmellick Branch in 1827. The Ballinasloe Branch opened in 1828.
1824
1830-1835 image

1830-1835

Work began on the Kilbeggan Branch in 1834. The Mountmellick Branch opened the same year. Fast fly boats commenced in 1834. By 1835 the Kilbeggan Branch opened to traffic.
1835
1852 image

1852

The last of the passenger boats were withdrawn, as competition from the railways made them uneconomic..
1852
1911 image

1911

The Grand Canal Company began the process of installing engines in thirty of their barges. By 1914 only twenty eight boats were converetd.
1911
1959 image

1959

In 1950 the Grand Company merged with Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ). Commercial traffic was withdrawn by CIÉ on the 31st December 1959.
1959
1961-1974 image

1961-1974

The Ballinasloe, Mountmellick, Kilbeggan and Naas Branches were officially closed to navigation in 1961. In 1974 the iconic James's Street Harbour in Dublin closed to navigation. Today, the Luas in Dublin runs along this filled-in section of the canal.
1961
2000 image

2000

Responsibility for the Grand Canal was transferred to Waterways Ireland, one of the six North/South Bodies established in 1999 under the British Irish Agreement for the management and maintenance of inland navigable waterways
2000