Shipping in Tralee
As large ships could not navigate all the way to Tralee town, a quay was built at Blennerville some time in the 17th century.
Ships could unload their cargo there and transfer it to smaller boats which would continue all the way to Tralee.
Tralee Ship Canal
Tralee Ship Canal is a legacy of the town's great period of expansion and prosperity in the early part of the 19th century. It opened in 1846 but fell into disuse, finally closing in 1951. It is now being redeveloped.
© Lawrence CollectionTralee Ship Canal
© Lawrence Collection
© Lawrence Collection
Tralee Ship Canal
Tralee Ship Canal is a legacy of the town's great period of expansion and prosperity in the early part of the 19th century. It opened in 1846 but fell into disuse, finally closing in 1951. It is now being redeveloped.
© Lawrence CollectionOver the years a great deal of silt reduced the depth of water in the quay and this caused problems when ships tried to dock.
It was decided to build a canal which could accomodate large ships and allow them to make their way to the port of Prince's Quay which was on the edge of Tralee town.
The Flesk in the Basin (Tralee Ship Canal)
The Flesk was built in Antwerp in 1910. It was a steel barge and was owned by the Limerick Steamship Company. It was used to tow vessels and to ferry goods.
Taken from Blennerville:Gateway to Tralee's PastThe Flesk in the Basin (Tralee Ship Canal)
Taken from Blennerville:Gateway to Tralee's Past
Taken from Blennerville:Gateway to Tralee's Past
The Flesk in the Basin (Tralee Ship Canal)
The Flesk was built in Antwerp in 1910. It was a steel barge and was owned by the Limerick Steamship Company. It was used to tow vessels and to ferry goods.
Taken from Blennerville:Gateway to Tralee's PastA New Canal
Work began on the project in the 1830s and the Tralee Ship Canal was opened on April 13, 1847, during the town's great period of expansion and prosperity. The schooner "Defense" was the first vessel to negotiate the 90 minute long water-way to the harbour basin at the edge of the town.
In spite of the tidal restrictions the canal was a busy port for over a century. Ships of up to 300 tonnes could travel on it.
Canal road from Blennerville to Tralee
Tralee modes of transport side by side - the road and the canal. Not seen in the photograph is the railway which lies to the left.
© Kerry County LibraryCanal road from Blennerville to Tralee
© Kerry County Library
© Kerry County Library
Canal road from Blennerville to Tralee
Tralee modes of transport side by side - the road and the canal. Not seen in the photograph is the railway which lies to the left.
© Kerry County LibraryHowever, the same problem that led to the building of the canal led to it falling into disuse. A build of silt in the canal meant that it became impossible for ships to navigate it. The Tralee Ship Canal finally closed to ships in 1951.
In recent times the quay has been restored and is being developed as a marina.