Waterways in Northern Ireland
Newry in County Down was once the 4th busiest port in Ireland.
Thanks to the first summit level canal built in the British isles, the prosperity of the border town of Newry was assured from the 17th century to the 19th.
Just over a year ago, the border town of Newry in County Down, Northern Ireland, was upgraded to City status. It’s elevation coincided with the surge in business and the rise in property values and this proud Cathedral City is once more a desired residential area and a centre for business between British controlled Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the southern part of the country.
The Georgian town of Newry is no stranger to prosperity however. In the mid-1700’s, The Newry Canal (the first summit level canal built in the British Isles since Roman times), ran through the town. Originally built to transport coal from Coalisland in County Tyrone to Dublin, horse-drawn barges conveyed the coal to Newry from where it was sent to Dublin by ship. Due to the summit at the town of Poynstzpass being 24 metres above sea level, 14 granite locks along the length of the canal had to be constructed. This is still in excellent condition although the wooden gates have rotten away.
Because of this commercial activity, Newry became the fourth busiest port in Ireland when the canal was deepened and the Albert Basin was built to accommodate the increased shipping. It became the centre of Ulster trade when linen mills, breweries, saltworks and a sugar refinery set up in the town following land reclamation along its banks and soon it was a major international dealer trading with America, Jamaica, the Baltics, France and England. The thriving printing industry that evolved served many European writers, including Voltaire and Jean Jacques Rousseau, whose works were printed in Newry.
The canal provided employment and generated wealth for the towns and villages along its way during its 200 years of operation, but declined with the coming of the railways in the 1850’s when Belfast became a major port. It closed to commercial traffic in the 1930’s and in 1954 became a “designated watercourse”.
The entire length of the route is dotted with historical landmarks and there are many fine 18th century private and commercial buildings still standing. A good way to familiarise yourself with the area is to hire a bike or join a Cycle Tour of the area. Portadown to Newry 20 miles/32 Km, and Scarva Visitor Centre (near Poynstzpass) has an exhibition explaining the building of the canal. Maps and guides from www.seenewryandmourne.com.
Moves are afoot to bring the canal back to commercial life and to use it for recreational pursuits. It is now a haven for wildlife and there is a yearly regatta on the canal. A free leaflet Newry Canal Way published by Countryside & Activities Network is a good backup to the Newry Heritage Trail (.50p.)which is published by the Tourist Office.
Things to do and see:
Bessbrook Model Village has strong connections with the canal. Built from Mourne granite by a quaker linen manufacturer to house his workers, neither pub nor pawnshop was allowed, still the case today.
The Port of Warrenpoint, about five miles from Newry, constructed in 1771 but only developed fully after the downgrading of Newry canal. Strategically located at the head of Carlingford Lough on the water border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, it is a seaside resort town of much charm.
The Flagstaff for totally mind-blowing views over sea and surrounding countryside. Car or cycle needed to reach it.
A trip to the oldest walled Norman town in Ireland, Carlingford, just across Newry’s border with the Republic of Ireland – about six miles away.
Newry Tourist Information, Bank Parade, Newry, BT35 6HR, Co. Down,
Tel: 0283 026 8877
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