Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Albert Basin
Lisdrumliska, Newry, Mourne and Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Canal Structure
- Date of construction
- 1840 - 1859
- Address
- Albert Basin, Newry Canal, Newry, Co Down
- Townland
- Lisdrumliska
- Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.16884, -6.33789
- Date of survey
- 17 August 1997
- HB reference
- HB16/30/029
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1838 "Ireland, north sheet." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
Large open basin at north end of Newry ship canal, on the south side of town. Banks pitched in places with dressed granite blocks. Quay along west side coped with concrete. Cast-metal bollards along this side inscribed ‘John Graham Dromore Contractors’. All canal-related buildings now demolished save for coal-related structures at south end. Some recent soil dumping at south-east end.
Historical information
Built in connection with the extension of the ship canal to Upper Fathom, 1842-50, under the direction of Sir John Rennie. This extension provided a navigable channel between Carlingford Lough and Newry. The existing canal (built 1765 as an extension of the 1740s' canal) entered the Newry River at Lower Fathom, 3 km south of the town, but as the tidal channel was prone to silting, large boats could not be accommodated. The canal was therefore extended 2.5 km to enter a deeper section of the river at Victoria Locks.
The basin was created at the same time as the canal extension and opened April 1850. Vessels up to 500 tons could now reach the town, rather than having to tranship at Warrenpoint. Named after Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Rail line extended from Edward Street to siding along west perimeter of basin in 1855. Cattle pens at north-west side; also warehouses at north east side in vicinity of Dublin Bridge Station. 1861 valuation map shows that the portion at south-east end not yet dug. Now in use for recreational purposes.
Primary Sources:
1. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 12E/125/1/22.
Secondary Sources:
2. J. Rennie (1851), 'On the improvement of the navigation of the River Newry', in Proc. Institution Civil Engineers, vol.10, pp 277-93.
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
Large open basin, banks pitched in places with dressed granite blocks. An integral part of the Newry canal, the first summit level canal in Britain and Ireland, this basin was an important feature of the townscape and the largest such canal basin in Ulster.
Nearby in the register
- Remains of Railway BridgeBridgeunder 1 mi
- 11-18 River StreetHouse - Terraceunder 1 mi
- 43 Kilmorey StreetHouse - Terraceunder 1 mi
- 41 Kilmorey StreetHouse - Terraceunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.