Consider the 6th Lock. It stands as a testament to Dublin’s industrial past. This lock is not just a structure. It is a piece of history frozen in time.
The 6th Lock dates back to the late 1700s. It was constructed around 1790 as part of the Royal Canal project. The Royal Canal Company was established in 1789. Their goal was to create a waterway linking Dublin to the River Shannon.
Construction on the Royal Canal started in 1790 at Phibsborough. This is now the 5th lock. By 1792 the canal reached Ashtown. The 6th Lock played a vital role in this ambitious undertaking.
Look closely at the lock’s construction. The chamber walls are made of ashlar limestone. Notice the gate recesses and cast-iron mooring rings. The dressed limestone coping adds a touch of elegance. The lock gates were replaced with timber and mild steel. However, the timber balance beams remain.
Observe the walls of the lower chamber. They slope upwards towards the middle gate. This design reflects the change in height between the water levels. Recesses for stop gates are visible at the eastern end. The walls expand to form a canal harbor. These walls are also made of dressed limestone.
The 6th Lock also featured a lock keeper’s house. Only remains of it exist today. The house had snecked limestone walls and dressed limestone quoins. It was a three-bay, single-story structure to the north.
The stonework shows high-quality craftsmanship. The sloping edges of the cope adapt to the height change. This is a tribute to the skilled workers who built the lock. The 6th Lock is a double-chambered lock. It is part of a group of buildings. This includes the lock keeper’s house, harbor, railway siding, and mill. Together, they evoke the area’s industrial heritage.
The Royal Canal aimed to provide freight and passenger transport. It connected Dublin and the River Shannon. However, the canal faced challenges. The route wasn’t fully planned which caused problems. Cutting through rock at Clonsilla proved expensive. Crossing the River Ryewater at Leixlip also added costs.
The Grand Canal Company even proposed sharing a route to Dublin. The Royal Canal Company rejected this. Costs continued to rise. The company needed government money to stay afloat. Eventually, the Royal Canal reached the Shannon River at Clondra in 1817. The total cost was significant. It amounted to £1,421,954.
The Royal Canal needed 46 locks. Four major aqueducts were also built. These carried the canal over rivers. In total 86 bridges were constructed. The lock chambers and bridges are still in good condition. This showcases the quality of the work.
The canal enjoyed modest success for about thirty years. Goods traffic reached 134,000 tons annually by 1833. Passenger numbers also grew. They peaked at 46,000 in 1837. Lighter “fly” boats reduced journey times.
The railway age marked the decline of the canal. In 1845, the Midland Great Western Railway Company bought the canal. Passenger business ceased. Goods traffic declined. By the 1950s, there was little traffic. The canal officially closed to navigation in 1961.
The Royal Canal faced threats. The section west of Mullingar dried out. Some bridges were built too low. However, enthusiasts formed the Royal Canal Amenity Group in 1974. They aimed to protect and restore the canal.
The 6th Lock stands as a reminder. It reminds us of the Royal Canal’s history. It connects us to Dublin’s industrial past. Take a moment to appreciate its enduring legacy.