Union Locks, Blaris Road, Lisburn, Co Antrim

The Union Lock complex is aligned north-south on the right (Co Down) bank of the River Lagan, a short distance upstream from Moore’s Bridge on the main Lisburn-Hillsborough road. It comprises four ‘staircase’ locks, with a wider curvilinear passing basin between the top two locks. Heavy vegetation overgrown precluded a thorough survey of each lock chamber; lock 17 at the south end was completely overgrown and its side walls could not be seen at all. The side walls of the chambers are a mixture of basalt and sandstone, in both rubble and squared form, and are coped with large squared masonry blocks. The quoins of the sluice emplacements are of finely dressed sandstone blocks. In places, the stonework has been replaced with brickwork which undoubtedly reflects 19th and 20th century repairs. There is a cast-iron bollard half way along lock 14, on its east side. Although all the cills survive, the sluice gates are long removed. At the NW side of the passing basin is a small overspill channel, now disused and covered over for most of its length. The bed of the former canal can be traced south from lock 17 to the Blaris Road. It has been infilled at one point to facilitate the crossing of a new public footpath. Modern houses have been erected to the west of the lock complex and a new hotel to its east.