The Royal Canal & The Grand Canal

Map of Westmeath

This map illustrates the topagraphy of County Westmeath detailing the routes of Grand Canal and the Royal Canal through Co. Westmeath.

© Bord Failte

Map of Westmeath
© Bord Failte

Map of Westmeath

This map illustrates the topagraphy of County Westmeath detailing the routes of Grand Canal and the Royal Canal through Co. Westmeath.

© Bord Failte

Enlarge image

The latter half of the eighteenth century saw the dawn of an new era in water transportation in Ireland. Two major canals were planned to join Dublin to the Shannon. Eventually the Royal Canal would link Dublin to Clondra on the Shannon with a short spur to serve Longford, while the Grand Canal linked up with the Shannon at Shannon Harbour. Both of these great canals impinged upon Westmeath. The Royal Canal served Kinnegad, Mullingar and Ballynarcargy and a spur of the Grand Canal served Kilbeggan.

Grand Canal Kilbeggan

Black and white photo image fo the Grand Canal at Kilbeggan Co.Westmeath also showing the Cuala Mills in the foreground.

© Westmeath Library Service

Grand Canal Kilbeggan
© Westmeath Library Service

Grand Canal Kilbeggan

Black and white photo image fo the Grand Canal at Kilbeggan Co.Westmeath also showing the Cuala Mills in the foreground.

© Westmeath Library Service

Enlarge image

The Kilbeggan Branch

William Dargan was appointed to build the eight mile stretch of canal to join Kilbeggan to the Grand Canal. He was appointed as contractor in 1830 and hoped to have the work completed within a year. The work proved far more complicated than he had anticipated and took four years to complete. The Kilbeggan branch was closed in 1961.