Lock no.3, Near St Colman’s College, Armagh 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 holds historical significance as the first summit level canal in Britain and Ireland, opening in 1742. The lock is located near St Colman’s College on the Armagh Road in Newry, County Down.

The lock walls are constructed of large, finely-dressed granite blocks laid in regular courses; downstream of the bottom gate, the walling transitions to random rubble work. Recesses are present at each end for the gates. The chamber itself measures 21.45 metres (70 feet 4 inches) long and 4.58 metres (14 feet 10 inches) wide. A cill runs across the bottom of the chamber between the walls, just below where the top gates are positioned. The walls splay outwards at both ends, though the splay is now missing on the downstream right end.

The lock has been restored recently. Both sets of gates have been reinstated and are of metal framed with wooden panels. Each gate has two rack-and-pinion paddles. Repairs to the walling around the hinge lines have been carried out using cement. The top gates are currently closed, with water flowing through two of the four paddles, while the bottom gates are open. The ground alongside the chamber is paved with large granite slabs and setts. Two modern timber mooring posts, a wooden bench, and a timber litter bin are located on each side of the lock. The site is enclosed by a modern metal railing, with the canal towpath immediately to the west. A relatively modern footbridge, with a single reinforced concrete span and metal handrails, is situated directly above the chamber. There are no visible remains of a former lock keeper’s house.

The locks on the Newry canal were refurbished between 1801 and 1812 by John Brownrigg, and this lock was likely rebuilt during that period; the random rubble walling may be the only surviving element of the original structure. The canal ceased commercial operation in 1936 and was officially abandoned in 1949. The section within the Newry & Mourne District Council area is now under their responsibility. The structure is of industrial archaeological interest.