IWAI Kildare

Sallins Drydock Restoration – signage

James Lawless TD, Kildare North, unveiled the Sallins Drydock Heritage sign on Sunday October 29, a first step in the Sallins Drydock Restoration project. 

Joining James were Canal devotees from Sallins and afar, including Paddy Behan, Ronan O’Reilly, Dara o Connaith, Colm Kenny, and members of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland – Dublin, Kildare and Royal. 

The drydock which is in remarkably good condition, is located near the start of the Towpath Trail leading to Naas.  Local historian, Paddy Behan, explained the history and the engineering of this piece of built heritage, and its relevance and importance in supporting passenger and cargo boats in the trading years of the Grand Canal.

The sign has been 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.

Background

The Sallins Drydock Group, came together to investigate the possibility of restoring the decommissioned drydock.  The output from this piece of work was a Feasibility Study.  The project was initiated by IWAI Kildare, a branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, and supported by Waterways Ireland Heritage, IWAI Kildare, Sallins Community, The Helpful Engineer, COMLA and Eamon Sinnott and Partners.  

Their investigation covered the historical importance, as well as an assessment of the drydock’s current condition.  There is a growing need for drydocks on our Canals and currently limited facilities, so restoration is timely.  The restoration of abandoned drydocks rather than creating new ones, that are within easy reach of boating communities, makes financial and safety sense.  A few of the canal drydocks, that were built over 200 years ago, are still in use today.      

The Feasibility Study Report, produced by the Group, concludes restoration to a fully functioning facility is possible.  The report also states that for historical, practical and social reasons, Waterways Ireland, Kildare County Council and local stakeholders need to be involved in the planning and restoration process – the next steps.        

Drydocks and their condition on Ireland’s Inland Waterways

Irish Waterways History

Cruise by the Sallins Drydock

Unique Canal Infrastructure in Kildare

Websites: IWAI Kildare,    IWAI

Em:  kildare@iwai.ie