Park Canal

Ardnacrusha

Ardnacrusha was planned by Irish engineer Tommy McLaughlin. The project's success meant it was a model for other large-scale hydro schemes. In 2002, Ardnacrusha won two major international honours, ranking it alongside the Eiffel Tower, the space shuttle and the Japanese bullet train.

Image: courtesy of Brendan Delany

Ardnacrusha
Image: courtesy of Brendan Delany

Ardnacrusha

Ardnacrusha was planned by Irish engineer Tommy McLaughlin. The project's success meant it was a model for other large-scale hydro schemes. In 2002, Ardnacrusha won two major international honours, ranking it alongside the Eiffel Tower, the space shuttle and the Japanese bullet train.

Image: courtesy of Brendan Delany

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History of the Canal

The Park Canal was constructed in 1757-1758, linking the River Shannon with the Abbey River. In its heyday it was an invaluable transport system for heavy goods, particularly Guinness from the former Guinness warehouse close to Lock Quay. The goods were transported from Limerick to Shannon, and from there to Dublin via the Grand Canal. It took four days for the goods to reach Dublin, which was considered an ideal time for the Guinness to mellow. With the modernisation of transport and the building of the hydroelectric power station at Ardnacrusha in 1929, the canal soon became defunct and fell into disrepair.