Chronological History of The Royal Canal

1755 Survey made by Thomas Williams and John Cooley for a Canal from Dublin to the North Shannon using the rivers Rye Water, Blackwater, Boyne, Deel, Yellow Lough Derravaragh and the rivers Inny and Camlin.

 

1756 The more southerly Grand Canal route is chosen by the Commissioners of Inland Navigation

 

1789 Aid sought to build a Canal from Dublin to Tarmonbarry reviving the old plans. Parliament grants £66,000 to add to the £134,000 promised by subscribers. The charter of the Royal Canal Company enrolled.

 

1796 Ryewater Aqueduct completed after five years work at a cost of £27,000. Canal opened to kilcock.

 

1805 Canal to Thomastown completed. The Grand Canal had been completed to the Shannon in 1804.

 

1806 Canal completed to Mullingar.

 

1807 Royal Canal Hotel at Moyvalley opened.

 

1809 Canal completed to Coolnahay at the Western end of the summit level.

 

1811-13 Company's debt rises to £862,000 despite Government grants and loans amounting to £143,856. Parliamentary investigations into the company's affairs and discussions about the line of the canal to the Shannon.

 

1813 The Royal Canal Company dissolved and the concern handed over to the Directors General of Inland Navigation with instructions to complete the canal at public expense.

 

1817 Canal completed to the Shannon at Tarmonbarry. Total cost of the Canal from Dublin £1,421,954.

 

1818 The New Royal Canal Company takes over the canal with a Government Board of Control to watch over it's affairs.

 

1830 The Longford Branch is opened.

 

1830s Average Annual tonnage carried 80,000 tons and 40,000 passengers.

 

1845 The entire concern is purchased by the Midland Great Western Railway Company for £298,059 with a view to using the property alongside the Canal to lay a railway to the west.

 

1873 Spencer Dock completed.

 

1877 Broadstone Harbour filled in as forecourt for the railway terminus.

 

1880s Average Annual tonnage reduced to 30,000 tons

 

1927 Further section of Broadstone Branch filled in. Average Annual tonnage reduced to 10,000 tons in the 1920s.

 

1938 Ownership transferred to the Great Southern Railway.

 

1939-45 Brief revival of trade during the Emergency Years.

 

1944 Ownership transferred to Coras Iompair Eireann.

 

1946 L.T.C. Rolt navigated the Canal and recorded his trip in 'Green and Silver'

 

1951 Last bye-trader, James Leech, of Kilucan, ceased to operate.

 

1955 Douglas Heard's Hark was the last officially recorded boat to pass through the Canal, and he made a film of the trip.

 

1956 The remainder of the Broadstone Branch filled in.

 

1961 The Canal was officially closed to navigation.

 

1974 The 'Save the Royal Canal' campaign began and the Royal Canal Amenity Group was formed.

 

1986 Ownership transferred to The Office of Public Works

 

1990 forty six miles (76 Km) restored between 12th lock and Mullingar.

 

1996 Ownership transferred to the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.