In 1784, the village of Robertstown welcomed the Grand Canal and over time it became an important stop for both passenger boats and commercial barges. It is on the summit level of the Grand, 85 metres above sea level and near the old trans-shipment centre of Lowtown.
The Grand Canal Hotel was opened in 1801, offering lodging and food to passengers on their way to Dublin and later to Waterford and Galway. At one time, the passenger boats carried 100,000 passengers each year, but with the introduction of rail travel this fell away. In 1849, the Hotel closed; from 1869 to 1905 it was used as a barracks by the Irish Constabulary. Later it became a community centre and featured in the Robertstown Festas in the 1960s and 1970s.
With the continuing work of the Tidy Towns Group, Robertstown is experiencing a renaissance as a tourist attraction, led by members of the Robertstown Community Amenities Association. Among their many accomplishments over the past four years are the funding and refurbishment of the Robertstown Barge 52M, the funding and planning permission for the Robertstown Eco Park, and recognition as a Hub at the start of the Barrow Blueway, a multi-user recreational and tourism amenity from Robertstown to Athy.
Passenger Boat c 1780 © Waterways Ireland
Robertstown Grand Hotel 1980 © Michael Clarke
