04.11.2025, 18:00 P.M.

History and significance of the architectural heritage of Irish Canals by Peter Clarke

This is the fifth talk in the Water & Ireland's Architectural Heritage autumn Conservation Education talk series.

Abstract: Our Canals are an important character element of the Irish landscape. Structures associated with them, such as locks, bridges, mills and lockhouses are part of the architectural heritage of the Irish Canal system and are therefore of significant value.

They represent an important link to Irelands industrial and transport history in both the urban and rural landscape, they facilitated trade and industrial development in rural areas, bringing prosperity to towns and villages along their route.

Today their virtues now rest in leisure activity. They are important to local communities in providing opportunities for walkers, cyclists and boating, therefore it is important to recognize, protect and develop these valuable heritage assets for generations to come.

Peter Clarke has been a member of the Royal Amenity Group for the past 38 years; he leads walks and lectures on the history of the Royal Canal for RCAG. Peter's TCD thesis on the Royal Canal was published in 1991 as the “Royal Canal, the complete story”. His walking guide, Walking the Royal Canal, 5 walks from Dublin to Maynooth Co. Kildare is on its third print run and is still available. Over the years he has contributed to Sea Scape, Canal People, Nationwide and other programs for RTE on the history of the Canal. Peter is a retired lecturer from TU Dublin.

Image: Canal lock (image courtesy of Peter Clarke)