Killaloe Canal

The Inland Steam Navigation Company who had their headquarters in Killaloe in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Navigation of the river was very difficult due to a ridge of rocks below the bridge. The Canal was built here to carry river traffic past this obstruction.

The Canal was first opened to river traffic in 1799 and was a vital link in the navigation route between Limerick and the many ports on the River Shannon. These in turn were linked by canal and rail with Dublin and other parts of Ireland. Passengers and cargo were transported on a wide range of craft including steamers which first appeared on the Shannon in 1825.

In 1929, after 130 years, the canal became redundant when the water level in Lough Derg was raised over the rapids as a result of the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme. This scheme used the water to harness cheap and abundant electricity en-masse to the Irish people for the first time.