The Royal Canal

Royal Canal Banks, Blanchardstown

The Royal Canal banks near Blanchardstown.

Courtesy of Fingal County Libraries

Royal Canal Banks, Blanchardstown
Courtesy of Fingal County Libraries

Royal Canal Banks, Blanchardstown

The Royal Canal banks near Blanchardstown.

Courtesy of Fingal County Libraries

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In the 1780s, permission was granted for the construction of a new canal to be built that would link Dublin with the River Shannon. The canal was to be named the Royal Canal. The estimated cost of the project was £197,089, which was an enormous sum at that time. The Royal Canal's route was to take it through Blanchardstown, close to the village.

The length of the canal was to be 109 miles. Seventy-six locks were planned. A lock is a section of water that helps boats navigate changes in water levels. A lock is closed off by watertight gates, and the water level is adjusted to suit the stretch of water ahead. Lock no. 12 lies between Blanchardstown Village and Castleknock.

Royal Canal, 12th Lock

A photo of lock no. 12 of the Royal Canal, near Blanchardstown.

Courtesy of Fingal County Libraries

Royal Canal, 12th Lock
Courtesy of Fingal County Libraries

Royal Canal, 12th Lock

A photo of lock no. 12 of the Royal Canal, near Blanchardstown.

Courtesy of Fingal County Libraries

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One of the chief backers of the Royal Canal was the Duke of Leinster. He wanted the canal to pass near his estate in Carton near Maynooth. To facilitate the Duke's wishes, the canal was routed to pass between Blanchardstown and Clonsilla. This decision was questioned at the time, as conditions in the area were not suitable for the construction of a canal. The cost of the two-mile stretch through Blanchardstown and Clonsilla was approximately £40,000, which was almost one-fifth of the total estimated cost of building the canal.

Canal Viaduct

The Royal Canal viaduct near Blanchardstown.

Courtesy of Fingal County Libraries

Canal Viaduct
Courtesy of Fingal County Libraries

Canal Viaduct

The Royal Canal viaduct near Blanchardstown.

Courtesy of Fingal County Libraries

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On the 26 November 1845, a tragic accident occurred on the Royal Canal between Porterstown Bridge and Clonsilla Bridge. A boat left Dublin at two o'clock in the afternoon heading for Longford. There were forty-seven passengers and seven crew aboard. The captain was a Mr. O'Connor who was very familiar with the canal.

It was a cold, dark, wet evening. Just beyond the Porterstown Bridge, the boat struck the bank and keeled over. The passengers panicked and rushed to the escape door. However, the weight of the passengers unbalanced the boat even more and it began to fill quickly with water. Fifteen people were drowned – 7 men, 6 women and 2 children.

The accident was investigated and the blame placed on three people: the captain; the steersman, James Dunne; and a passenger, Patrick Teeling. It emerged that after passing Porterstown Bridge, James Dunne handed over the steering to Patrick Teeling. Teeling, who had been drinking porter earlier, left the helm to go to the toilet.  When the boat struck the bank no one was steering it.  Although Patrick Teeling stood trial for manslaughter he was found not guilty by the jury.