Lock no.3

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single chamber lock, the third on the system, and the second on the inland section. The walls are of large finely-dressed granite blocks laid in regular courses, but with random rubble work just downstream of the bottom gate. There are recesses at both ends for the gates. The chamber measures 21.45m (70ft 4in) long from gate hinge to hinge, by 4.58m in width (145t 0in). A cill runs across the bottom of the chamber at right angles between the walls just below the top set of gates. The walls splay out at both ends end (albeit missing on downstream right end).

The lock has been restored in the recent past. Both sets of gates have been reinstated. Each gate is of metal on a wooden frame, with two rack-and-pinion paddles in each one. The walling in and around all the hinge lines has been made good in cement. The top set are in the closed position (but with water running through two of the four paddles), and the bottom set are open. The ground on either side of the chamber has been flagged with large granite slabs, and small granite, with small granite setts at each end. On each side are two large timber mooring posts, a wooden bench and timber litter bin, all modern. A metal railing, also modern, encloses the site, with the towpath to its immediate west.

Immediately above the chamber is a relatively modern footbridge. It has a single horizontal span in reinforced concrete, with metal handrails.

There is no trace of the former lock keeper’s house.

Historical information

The Newry canal opened in 1742 and was the first summit level canal in Britain and Ireland. All the locks were extensively refurbished by John Brownrigg in the period 1801-12. This particular lock was probably rebuilt at this time, and the random rubble walling may be all that is left of the original structure. The canal last worked commercially in 1936 and it was officially abandoned in 1949. Newry & Mourne District Council has recently assumed responsibility for the section lying within its area of jurisdiction

Source:

1. E.R.R. Green, 1963, The industrial archaeology of Co. Down, p.69 (Belfast: HMSO).

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).