Spencer Dock
At last there is some good news to report. The contract for the restoration of the sea lock, including the installation of flood protection measures, was signed in August and the contractor has been on site since early September. It will, however, be next autumn before the lock will be operational. Waiting is no problem for the RCAG. The first step in restoration work on the canal was taken as far back as 1974 on the 12th level at Blanchardstown with no faltering since!

It was always accepted that the restoration of Spencer Dock would be different from that of the rest of the canal as the land adjacent remains in CIE ownership. Waterways Ireland owns only the present water space and a strip of ground no more that about a metre wide on either side. Irish Rail gradually withdrew their rail operations from the area and in 1995 the Royal Canal Corridor Study described the area as follows:- 'The lack of vegetation, areas of dereliction, unrelated adjacent development and the physical dominance of the goods yard, result in a poor quality townscape. Historically the canal channel was broader than its present width and has recently been backfilled along the east bank reducing this canal side to an unattractive rubble slope. Its continued tidal nature, the abandoned barges and boat slips result in the canal presenting a negative visual image in this character area.’

We regret, it must be said, that this comment still applies twelve years on! However, the RCAG has continued over the years to do what it does best – lobbying the many powers that be involved with the area, at least eight at present, comprising state, semi-state, local authority and private sector. The 1995 Corridor Study, two Master Plans of 1997 and 2003 and numerous other reports and planning schemes have all emphasized that Spencer Dock is an invaluable recreational and leisure asset and central in the revitalization of the whole area for the benefit of the local and wider community.

It must be acknowledged that the first tentative step taken to restore Spencer Dock was by the Waterways Division of the OPW in 1994, when a part of the dock was dredged to provide a navigable channel. This was followed in 2001 by the commissioning of the newly constructed rail lifting bridge beside Newcomen Junction. The restoration of the sea lock is but another step.
A visual survey of the whole extent of Spencer Dock and corridor from its junction with the River Liffey at the North Wall to the 1st Lock at Newcomen Bridge (overall length 1.15km) will show that there is much more to be done before the area can be opened up to the public for safe leisure, boating and other recreational uses. However, there is goodwill all round and continuous progress is possible.

Dublin 15 Hospice Fund Project
Each year on 21st June (Summer Solstice Day), Dublin Branch RCAG holds its Summer Solstice day sponsored walk along the banks of the canal, from the 10th Lock at Ashtown to the 12th Lock at Castleknock, to raise funds towards the canal restoration. This year the branch decided to hold this event to raise funds for the Dublin 15 Hospice Fund, and the plans to build a hospice in the grounds of Blanchardstown Hospital. Notwith-standing the terrible weather conditions that prevailed on the evening, a large group of walkers turned up to participate in the event, and the considerable sum of €2,820 was raised. Special thanks to Marie King, Janet Leech, Joan Kavanagh and friends for a great job well done.

Heritage Week
Dublin City Public Libraries hosted several heritage events for Heritage week in August. One event in the Water Heritage Category took place in Cabra Library, Dublin 7 when John McKeown, Regional Manager, Waterways Ireland, presented an illustrated talk on the “Royal Canal Restoration”.

The full house audience sat captivated for over an hour as John brought them through the construction of the canal, its years of prosperity and its demise and closure in 1961, the construction of the culverts, the founding of the Royal Canal Amenity Group, the roll the group played (and still plays) in the restoration programme, the work parties, lock gate manufacturing project, the dredging and transformation of Ballinacargy Harbour, Kilcock Harbour, etc.

John then turned to 1986, and to the transfer of canal ownership from CIE to OPW, and ultimately to Waterways Ireland, and the start of his own role in the restoration programme. He gave illustrated accounts of the many projects over the years and displayed in great detail the current state of restoration, i.e. Abbeyshrule to Clondra. One noteworthy point which was emphasised by John was his belief that without the RCAG, there would not have been a Royal Canal to restore. John’s presentation concluded with a 30 minute Q&A session.

Mr. Gerry Territt, Librarian, Cabra Library, thanked John for his excellent presentation and in turn presented John with a book entitled The Georgian Squares of Dublin, An Architectural History.

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