Campaign to restore Sallins Drydock
The unveiling of the Drydock Heritage sign in October 2023, marks the first step in showcasing and restoring this piece of architectural heritage on the Grand Canal in Sallins.
The Sallins Drydock, located near the start of the towpath trail leading to Naas, was built in the latter part of the 1700s (the exact date has yet to be established) as part of Omer’s original piece of canal in Kildare or when the Grand Canal was extended from Dublin to Sallins in 1779. It may be the oldest Canal Drydock in Ireland. It was used originally by horse drawn passenger ‘fly boats’ and cargo boats.
Desmond Keenan’s Eighteenth Century Ireland, Georgian Ireland: Society and History, published in 2020, devotes Chapter 5 to Transport, Communications and Trade. He describes how trade evolved along rivers and the building of each of the Canals in Ireland, from when work began on the Newry Canal in 1731 through to the completion of the Limerick Canal in 1850. He states: ‘In September 1759 water was let into the Grand Canal which was formally opened; a barge was launched. At the banquet there were toasts among others to Mr Digby who first proposed the canal, and to Mr Omer the Controller of Works (Dublin Journal, 15 Sept 1759)’ Unfortunately, it does not state how the barge was built or launched.
The Sallins Drydock is in remarkably good condition, and with a clear out, repointing of stonework and gates installed could be restored.
On the renowned Bridgewater Canal, the Worsley Drydocks from the same era, has two of the original three drydocks in working order and houses a thriving boating business.
This informative sign was created with the support of graphic designer Eamon Sinnott, Waterways Ireland, IntoKildare, Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), IWAI Kildare, Cill Dara Le Gaeilge and local historian Liam Kenny.
Unique Canal Infrastructure in Kildare
Drydocks and their condition on Ireland’s Inland Waterways
Unveiling the Plaque at Sallins Drydock Oct 2023 @ J Kearns
Rushmere arriving at Sallins Drydock for unveiling
