THE BOX IN THE DOCKS
By Maggie Neary


Not unlike the tantalising possibilities of a Pandora's box the recently outward-sprouting branches in the water alongside the local heritage site have been titillating neighbourhood imagination. I went along to visit the 'Box in the Docks' and get the line from the most reliable authority.

A three-metre-long wooden walkway leads across to the Waterways Visitor Centre, which is situated in the inner harbour of the Grand Canal Basin. The building is indeed box-like in its metallic outer shape.

Inside, all is glowing wood and glass blocks which allow in lots of light from above and at ground floor level give a view of the water which produces an impression of floating. A central spiral staircase climbs through two floors exiting at the top onto the decking of the rooftop promenade.

Colm, who works in this interpretive centre, spoke enthusiastically about the inland waterways of Ireland. These were created some 200 years ago to transport cargo and passengers. With the arrival of train and motor vehicles they fell into disuse and quickly deteriorated.

Nowadays, they are being restored as pleasure amenities. The centre's permanent exhibition, spread over two floors, explores Ireland's inland waterways, their historical background and their modern amenity uses. A 10-minute video covers snippets of these aspects as it brings one along a nostalgic trip of the canals.

And so to today. The Grand Canal Basin at Ringsend is now the centre of the major urban renewal scheme with which the area has recently been targeted. Most of the buildings in the inner basin have been renovated or are earmarked for same, Bolands Mill being one of these, though there are preservation orders on the two stone work sections facing onto the Basin.

To help create a water-based focus for the new developments and to encourage increased use of the inland waterways in the Dublin area, it was decided to provide the new 55-berth secure moorings, which is what we see as the recent additions alongside the Ringsend Waterways Visitor Centre. From here canal barges, narrow boats or suitably-sized cruisers can proceed inland along the Grand Canal, crossing Leinster to connect with the Shannon or taking the southerly branch to the Barrow Navigation.

Sea-faring boats of suitable size can approach the moorings through the three sea locks situated on the northeast corner of the Outer Basin beside the entrance of the Dodder River. The maximum vessel dimensions, which the moorings can accommodate, are 60feet long, with 8 feet airdraft and 13 feet beam.

The General McMahon Bridge, which carries the Ringsend Road across the basin, can be lifted but is currently bolted down. The inner basin used to be larger but when the railway bridge was built it divided the basin in two and the section between the bridge and Grand Canal Street was subsequently filled in leaving a narrow channel for the canal.

For those who prefer to stay on terra firma I have been assured that it is possible to walk along the canal all the way from McKee Bridge at the junction of Grand Canal Street and Northumberland Road up to the Shannon and that the majority of this walking would be on towpaths which are peaceful and away from urban areas.

Opening Hours of the Centre: October to May, Wednesday to Sunday, 12.30 to 5pm. June to September, Saturday to Sun day, 9.30 to 5.30.
Entrance Fee: Adult €2.50, Children and Students €1.20,
Seniors or groups of 10 or over €1.90 per person.
Family ticket €6.35.

The website for the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland is www.iwai.ie where you will find details of the Dublin Boat Rally.

 

Back to the Front Page