Lock no.2

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single chamber lock, the second on the system, and the first on the inland section. The walls are of large finely-dressed granite blocks laid in regular courses. There are recesses at both ends for the gates; there are also two vertical wall slits to each side immediately above the top set of gates and below the bottom set of gates (presumably for the insertion of planks during lock maintenance). The chamber measures 21.70m (71ft) long from gate hinge to hinge, by 4.65m in width (15ft 6in).

The lock has recently undergone refurbishment by Enterprise Ulster. This has involved:
1. Raising the ground in the vicinity of the upper gate and creating a 0.7m step in the bank (where none existed before).
2. Raising the walls at the upper end of the chamber in sawn granite blocks of smaller size and different finish to the rest of the original walling.
3. Inserting painted steel lock gates (fixed to the sides so they cannot be closed), with a single paddle to each gate.
4. Rebuilding a rubble granite wall bounding the east side of the complex.
5. Paving the ground on both sides of the chamber with granite flags and cut granite setts.
6. Installing a litter bin and two small wooden benches.
7. Defining the boundary with the towpath with a steel railing.

Just above the locks the canal has been infilled to facilitate access to the island between the canal and Newry River. A concrete pipe carries the water through to the lock chamber. A high concrete block wall precludes access to the ground on the east side of the chamber.

Historical information

The Newry canal opened in 1742 and was the first summit level canal in Britain and Ireland. The locks on the entire system were extensively refurbished by John Brownrigg in the period 1801-12 and it is probable that the present structure dates to this period rather than the first phase of construction. The canal last worked in 1936 and it was officially abandoned in 1949. Newry & Mourne District Council has recently assumed responsibility for the section lying within its area.

Source:

1. E.R.R. Green, 1963, The industrial archaeology of Co. Down, p.69 (Belfast: HMSO).
2. OS 6" map (1861) Co Armagh Sheet 26 (PRONI - OS 8/20/1/3).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This canal is primarily of historical interest in being the first summit level canal in Britain and Ireland. This is one of 14 locks to survive (including the ship lock beyond Newry). It is unfortunate that it has been restored in such a wholly inappropriate fashion.