Public access to the walkways over the Sealock Gates between Hanover Quay and City Block 19 and to a section of South Dock Road which runs parallel to the River Dodder closed on January 28th and will remain closed for approximately 14 weeks, for health and safety reasons.
Waterways Ireland appreciates that the closure may cause some inconvenience and undertakes to complete the works as quickly as possible. We would like to thank anyone impacted for their patience and cooperation during this period. Please see below an alternative route that can be used during the closure.
The following preparatory works have been undertaken to date:
- site set-up and Health & Safety assessments
- installation of the site office and welfare facilities for workers
- dewatering of the lock chamber: this involves pumping out the water in the lock chamber and repairing any leakage issues with the 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
- expert assessment of the 230-year-old protected heritage structure to determine any masonry repairs required
Water levels in Grand Canal Dock basin will gradually be lowered by 40cm to enable the dewatering of the lock chamber.
Updates, including any changes to the works schedule will be published here. Please email dublincanals@waterwaysireland.org with specific queries.
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. Waterways Ireland is undertaking an ambitious restoration project to restore Camden Lock to its former glory, re-opening Grand Canal Dock 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 the Grand Canal Dock area.
More information on the storied history and heritage of the Grand Canal Dock can be found in the “Waterways Through Time” podcast series, available here. In episode 6 of series 4 “Grand Canal Docks and Boland Mills”, historian Turtle Bunbury tells the story of the evolution of the Grand Canal Docks from the pageantry of its opening in 1796 to its present renaissance.