Lock no.4, Off Tandragee Rd, Newry, Co Down

This is a single-chamber lock, dating from approximately 1800 to 1819, and forming part of the Newry Canal. The canal is historically significant as the first summit level canal in Britain and Ireland. This lock is one of fourteen to survive, including a separate ship lock beyond Newry.

The lock chamber is constructed of large, finely-dressed granite blocks laid in regular courses. It measures 21.60 metres (70 feet 10 inches) long and 4.52 metres (14 feet 10 inches) wide, with recesses at each end for the lock gates. Vertical wall slits are positioned above the top set of gates, intended for the insertion of planks during lock maintenance. The gates themselves no longer exist. A modern post and wire fence now surrounds the chamber.

At the bottom end of the lock chamber are the remains of an accommodation bridge. Originally featuring a single horizontal timber span, this has been removed, leaving only the short approach ramps on either side. The bridge abutments continue the line of the lock chamber, built with granite rubble set in courses. The ramp approaches have random rubble parapets topped with coarsely dressed granite blocks of a saddleback profile, terminating in L-shaped metal posts to which a handrail was once affixed. The bank immediately south of the lock has been revetted and curves around to follow the canal’s line, with a section of the south parapet of the bridge’s west ramp continuing along this walling. A towpath runs along the west side of the lock, adjacent to where the Bessbrook River has been canalized. The former lock keeper’s house, previously situated on the west side of the lock, is now gone.

The Newry Canal opened in 1742. The locks were significantly refurbished between 1801 and 1812 by John Brownrigg, and it is probable that the current structure dates to this refurbishment rather than the canal’s initial construction. The canal ceased operation in 1936 and was officially abandoned in 1949. It is now managed by the Newry & Mourne District Council and holds interest as an example of industrial archaeology, being listed as derelict.