The Royal Canal

Mullingar Harbour

Color photograph of Mullingar Harbour constructed in 1808 showing route of canal, harbour bridge, habour buildings and lock gates.

© Sean Magee and Westmeath County Library

Mullingar Harbour
© Sean Magee and Westmeath County Library

Mullingar Harbour

Color photograph of Mullingar Harbour constructed in 1808 showing route of canal, harbour bridge, habour buildings and lock gates.

© Sean Magee and Westmeath County Library

Enlarge image

During the cutting of the canal between Kinnegad and Mullingar in 1804 a solid gold clasp was found by workmen and sold for 'upwards of £20'. It was December 1806 before the canal reached Mullingar.

In 1806 there was a harbour at Piper's Boreen on the south-eastern side of the town but in 1808 a second harbour was constructed at a more central location near the Longford Road bridge. By 1825 this harbour, which had originally handled freight, now also served as the boarding and landing place for passengers.

In the early nineteenth century apart from passenger transport a great deal of the supplies needed for trade and commerce in Mullingar were arriving by barge. Livestock, coal, timber, slate, brick and turf all arrived by barge as did many foodstuffs and grains resulting in a bustling harbour business.

Passengers travelling between Dublin and Mullingar in 1807 were charged 12/6d. for first class and 7/7d. for second class. The duration of the journey was twelve hours. Initially there were two sailings each day in each direction.

The Harbour, Ballynacargy

A colour digital photograph of Ballynacargy Habour, Co. Westmeath showing habour bridge, house and route of canal.

© Sean Magee and Westmeath County Library

The Harbour, Ballynacargy
© Sean Magee and Westmeath County Library

The Harbour, Ballynacargy

A colour digital photograph of Ballynacargy Habour, Co. Westmeath showing habour bridge, house and route of canal.

© Sean Magee and Westmeath County Library

Enlarge image

Mullingar to Ballymahon

In 1807 work commenced on extending the Royal Canal westwards from Mullingar. The stretch from Mullingar to Ballymahon, via Ballynacargy opened in 1818. It was the smaller places such as Ballynacargy, Kilcock and Maynooth which were to benefit most by the coming of the canal. Other established towns such as Mullingar experienced increased prosperity but the smaller towns and villages became important distribution centres.