Restoring the Camden Lock
Grand Canal Dock was the world’s largest dock when it opened in 1796. A group of three Sea Locks connect the dock to the River Liffey and onwards to the Irish Sea and the world. The largest, Camden Lock, has not been operational since 2010. The ambitious restoration project to restore Camden Lock to its former glory will re-open Grand Canal Dock basin to Tall Ships and other larger and sea-faring craft, while maintaining, preserving, and protecting a unique heritage asset, further contributing to the regeneration of Grand Canal Dock.
Four bespoke fifteen-tonne, seven meters tall, gates were fitted into place in the last week of May 2026. The Sea Lock gates were hand crafted in Kampen, Holland by a world-class team of specialist traditional craftspeople, who were also on hand for their installation.
The gates are made from Ekki, an extremely strong, durable, rot-resistant timber so dense that it will sink in water. The gates were completely assembled in Holland, inspected by Waterways Ireland, then disassembled and shipped to Dublin, where they were reassembled for installation.
The project included specialist handcrafted stone masonry repairs to the 230-year-old granite lock chamber walls and the customisation of the gates to match the contours of the lock walls to ensure watertightness. Such was the precision of the craftsmanship that each of the four Sea Lock gates fitted into place at the first attempt, swinging freely upon installation, a remarkable feat given their mass and dimensions.
This work was only possible after dewatering of the lock chamber, with stop logs holding back the Liffey on one side and Grand Canal Dock basin on the other, to create a safe working environment in the lock chamber itself.
Mechanical & Engineering fitout will automate the new sea lock gates and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.
Record rainfall in February delayed planned works and had a knock-on impact on the project timeline. Waterways Ireland apologise for the inconvenience this delay has caused and undertake to complete the works as quickly as possible. Waterways Ireland thanks all concerned for their patience during this period.
More information on the storied history and heritage of Grand Canal Dock can be found in in the ‘Waterways Through Time’ podcast series (episode 6 of series 4), available at waterwaysireland.org and wherever you get your podcasts.