The Royal Canal links the River Liffey in Dublin to the River Shannon along a navigation 146 km long with 46 locks, 10 of them double-chambered. Started in Dublin the work on the canal was completed to Richmond Harbour in Cloondara in 1817 and by the 1830's reportedly carried 40,000 passengers on average as well as 80,000 tons of goods. The Canal was officially closed in 1961 and fell into disrepair; restoration work has been undertaken in stages and the Royal Canal is now navigable from Dublin to Abbeyshrule, Co. Longford. Boating, angling and canoe polo are the main activities on the waterway while many walkers follow the Royal Canal Way or explore the towns along the banks.