Grand Canal (Ireland)

The Grand Canal (Irish: An Chanáil Mhór ) is a canal system in Ireland. The Grand Canal is about 130 km long, has a total of 52 locks and runs from Dublin ( Lage53.343055555556 - 6.2319444444444 ) to the River Shannon ( Lage53.218611111111 - 7.9666666666667 ) in central Ireland.

History

The Grand Canal was built along with the northern end of the 18th century Royal Canal as a transport route in an oval around Dublin. 1804 passed the first cargo ship channel on the total distance from Shannon to Dublin. The development of the railroad in 1852 and later also of the road network leading to the loss of importance of the channel. 1960 happened the last cargo ship the Grand Canal. After that fell apart, the channel and was also used as a rubbish dump. There were plans, the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal would fill in and build an urban motorway it. The Grand Canal was saved in the 1970s by local residents and citizens initiatives that voluntary Entmüllungskampagnen conducted and aroused the awareness of this magnificent structure. In 1986 the canal was handed over to the State Waterways Ireland society, which put him back repaired and managed ever since. He is again navigable along its entire length.

Tourist use

The channel now has no industrial economic importance. Tourist but he is now used for houseboat cruises. Sights on the shore are, for example Torfstechereien, whiskey distilleries and historic buildings such as Toberdaly Castle and Ballyteague Castle.

The channel together with the River Shannon, the Erne and the Shannon - Erne Waterway, the largest houseboat - spot in Europe. Boaters are over 800 km of contiguous water routes.

The long distance footpath Grand Canal Way leads to the magnificent restored towpath along the shore to Shannon Harbour.

From the Waterways Visitor Centre at Dublin Port is a walk ( about 30 minutes ) along the best-maintained section of the Grand Canal. The canal is lined with beautifully restored Georgian residential buildings. Romantic and elegant bridges, locks are in the narrow riverside park.

Ship mass

For boats, the following maximum dimensions apply:

  • Length: 18.5 m
  • Width: 3.9 m
  • Draught: 1.2 m
  • Air draft: 2,75 m
  • Maximum speed: 5 km / h

Driving is on the right. The locks can only be driven in daylight.

Side branches

There were and are a number of side branches of the Grand Canal, which are now partly renovated because of touristic importance again:

Lough Erne Shannon–Erne Waterway Pleasure craft Long-distance trail Shannon, County Clare Edenderry Ballinasloe
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